YOU
OFTEN HEAR people complain about the incompetence of
governmental employees as opposed to the private sector.  While it may be true that corporate CEOs have
rightfully taken a beating of late because of their greed and lack of concern
for their employees and shareholders, one thing about them doesn’t get
questioned:  their smarts and their
ability.  While ethically challenged,
they at least ascend to their positions based upon the capability and talent
they exhibited while rising to the top of their heap. 

Government, on the other hand, too often rewards
longevity irrespective of ability.  Sometimes even the requirement of length of service falls by the
wayside.  Why don’t we start right at the
top of our government and consider what requirements exist to become a Congressman,
either a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives.

Simply stated, our Constitution lays out the only
standards:  to be a member of the House
of Representatives, one must be 25 years of age, 7 years a U.S. citizen, and
resident of the applicable state.  To be
a Senator, one must be at least 30 years old, 9 years a U.S. citizen, and a
resident of the state from which one is elected. 

It should be obvious to everyone by now that
Congress is over-laden with people who are stupid, people who are overly
motivated by religious fundamentalism, people who are lacking in the moral
courage to stand up to special interests, and people whose primary goal in
their role is achieving re-election. 

I am almost always against constitutional amendment because
it is too often proffered as a way to affect change that is more appropriately
the subject of legislation by statute.  But
here is an area where a constitutional amendment could help heal what ails us
regarding our dysfunctional governing body:  we should augment the requirements to become a Congressman.  Here are a few possibilities.  There ought to be detailed application forms
that mandate the inclusion of sufficient personal information about the
applicant from which citizens can determine their true qualifications to be
leaders of the country.  They should be
required to state specific positions
on the most important issues of the day (beyond the simplicities that flow in
election speeches).  Attachments will be
necessary.  Personal backgrounds and
employment histories should be detailed, complete with references.  These forms should be notarized (e.g. under oath) as being truthful as well as the words
of the applicant, not some salaried aide or speech writer.  Finally, a “statesman test” could be devised
that requires candidates to answer questions created by a team of non-partisan
academics, the responses to which will be revealing as to their innate abilities
to govern other citizens (sort of like those personality tests we’ve all
taken).

Members of the House of Representatives should get
longer terms, perhaps six years like Senators, but both should be by
constitutional fiat one-term only, to do away with the constant
re-election activity and lessen the influence of special interests.   

And naturally, Citizens
United, one of the worse Supreme Court decisions in our country’s history,
needs to be revisited and overturned.  Money has corrupted politics.