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: The Politics of Entitlement - |
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| | From:  tc101 (Original Message) | Sent: 11/21/2008 6:01 AM |
WSJ 11/20/08
The Politics of Entitlement --
Alaska puts an end to Ted Stevens's hubris.
Republican Ted Stevens's narrow election defeat this week will end his four-decade career in the U.S. Senate. Republicans are thus only two seats away from the minority dead zone of 40 seats, but this latest defeat holds a particular lesson.
Mr. Stevens, who is 85 years old and the longest-serving GOP Senator in history, distinguished himself mainly by channeling billions of taxpayer dollars to his home state in earmarks. He was equally well-known for exacting revenge on anyone who got in his way. For six years between 1997 and 2005, he chaired the Appropriations Committee.
Over the years, he developed a sense of entitlement, which ultimately led him to accept favors that led to his conviction for lying about those gifts. He could have graciously stepped down upon his indictment only weeks before the primary, and another Republican would have surely saved the seat. Instead, he thought the voters would vindicate him, and the irony is that he was almost rescued by the large Alaska turnout for Sarah Palin, who fought his style of politics in the state.
Now that even Alaskans are done with Mr. Stevens, perhaps the GOP will learn the right lesson and set about the business of becoming a party of ideas again.
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One down, 99 more to go. I can't believe clowns like this lasted so long. Perhaps we need limited terms for both the house and senate. At least the graft and corruption will somewhat be curtailed. |
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| | | From: John N | Sent: 11/22/2008 4:19 PM |
I agree to term limits but Congress would never pass it. They are they original good ole boys club - both sides of the aisle. |
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We already have term limits. They are held every couple of years and are called ELECTIONS. Any more changes you guys want to make to the Constitution? |
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| | | From: tc101 | Sent: 11/24/2008 4:11 AM |
| What's wrong with term limits? The President is limited to 2 terms as are some State governors and legislators. A limit of terms is a way of limiting the enormous power of incumbency and allowing more effective competition. |
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