Not 'term limits,' a job description
Representative government is an endless election campaign. Saying no to the other party, hurling insults at opposition ideas and lying are their exclusive activities. Infrequent visibility, scarce accessibility to constituents (by appointment) and "rock star" treatment appearing at parades, banquets and weekend trips to the district. Our representatives' lives don't reflect the lives of those they represent - us.
Here's what should be:
Congressional job description: 20 days/month live in their district. Shop, attend kids activities/school/day care pickup/church, experience the home weather and eat at the local establishments. Go to the library, read the local paper, attend the fairs, patronize the local arts and sit in the park with neighbors. Observe/experience the spectrum of their constituents: homeless, hungry, ethnicity and economic status. Experience public works, emergency responders, hospitals, sanitation and community activities. Actually know the business owners, local government, Little League/scouts/clergy/park activity organizers.
Daily, elected meet in committees, by Zoom, from 2-5 p.m. The bulk of the day is interacting with constituents and living like us. Evenings are involved with families, community groups, local government meetings and bleachers at schools. 2nd to last Friday, monthly trips to D.C. Work Saturday-Friday; nights and the following weekend if tasks are incomplete. Yup, 50-60 hour workweek, like us. Return to district after D.C. week. Like us, efficiency at work rewarded with some free time.
Representation of/by/for the people now replaced with "party" alignment and reelection. Constituents are just votes. Representation "offered" by a stranger, infrequently available and limited connection to our lives.
Live/work/play/ worship and infuse into your community. 60-hour/week; long, hard hours, arduous tasks requiring herculean efforts and exhaustion in service for votes. Sharing constituents' lives outlines the community needs. Focus on real goals vs. insulting, i.e., party before people.
Hold elected accountable to this job description; Work this hard; they'll limit their own terms.
Alan P. Murdoch
Arlington Heights