When I was a boy I loved to play “Battle Cry,” a Civil War board game, with my little sister. It was great fun because I always won.
When Anne would start losing, she’d get frustrated and want to quit. Making up a quick lie, I’d say, “No, you have to get all your soldiers to Appomattox before you can give up.” Then I’d enjoy wiping out her troops for a few more minutes.
How could I be so unfair, unreasonable and mean? It was quite simple, really. I kept the box lid with the rules printed on it and so could make up any ridiculous regulation.
I was reminded of my boyhood when I read about the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision to strike down Arkansas’ congressional term limits lawand by extension such laws in 20 other states. The overwhelming majority of Americans want their representatives and senators to limit their time in Washington, but it will require a constitutional amendment.
The reason is simple. Laws passed at the state or national level will not be sufficient to guarantee effective term limits. The people who make the rules just can’t help favoring themselves. Long-serving Rep. Henry Hyde of Illinois is a perfect example: “Why, there already are term limits! They’re called elections!”
What Hyde leaves out is this: He and his incumbent friends not only keep the box lid with the rules, but they get to scribble on it and change the rules whenever they want. Congress writes the election laws and so-called reforms. Hyde doesn’t worry about losing elections because he and his cohorts in Congress make up the rules as they go along.
Fair financing laws? No problem! Set low limits for everyone equally. But if an ordinary citizen wants a few doors opened, what does he do with his $1,000 contribution? Give half to John Doe Smith, political newcomer, and half to Sen. Strom Thurmond, who began his government service in the Continental Congress? If it were your money, you’d do what any rational being would do: Bet on the likely winner.
Equal TV time? Sure, everyone has it. All it costs is money. Whoever can come up with the dollars gets equal TV time. Who has the most cash for TV? Well, the person with the most influence in Congress gets the most donations. The unknown outsiders will continue to get close to zero.
The American Revolution was fought precisely to escape such ruling elites, who traded offices, advantages and privilege among themselves. Our great experiment in self-government was founded on the commonly held belief that all Americans were smart enough to be responsible. We continue to think that the ditchdigger and the doctor have the same right, and the same potential ability, to make equally wise decisions about their own futures.
The more I listen to our representatives in Washington, the more I know we need congressional term limits in the Constitution. That document is the only box lid that is plain and simple enough for all to see. My tricks were good enough for an 11-year-old, but the men and women we send to Congress should hold themselves to a higher standard.
