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Gifts for all occasions in the Galleria! The "What is the Deal?" Deal-of-the-Week: 
October 24, 2004 What is the Deal with Incumbents? By Jan A. Larson As Americans go to the polls on November 2, most will have a clear idea of their choice in the presidential race but their choices made farther down the ballot will ultimately have ramifications every bit as important. In recent history, over ninety-eight percent of incumbent U. S. Senators and Representatives are reelected in each election cycle. It is extremely rare for an incumbent to be defeated by a challenger. As former U. S. Representative Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) mentioned in his 2003 book Breach of Trust, there are three myths that dissuade the public from voting for politicians that would truly represent their interests and govern from within the confines of the Constitution: 1. My representative is great; it's "Washington" that's the problem. Coburn argues that it is easy to blame the failures of government on "Washington" but all too often, politicians elected to serve in Washington, over time, become part of "Washington." The reality is, however, that when "we the people" elect our representatives for term after term after term, we are the ones that are truly guilty of turning Washington into "Washington." 2. A good representative is one who sends as much money as possible back to their district. Coburn states that a representative that brings home as much "pork" as possible for his district tends to favor fiscal restraint in every district but his own. He goes on to state that pork barrel politics perpetuates a culture of fiscal irresponsibility. It is no wonder why politicians are always quick to promise new programs and more spending for this program or that, but rarely talk about cutting anything. It is up to "we the people" to take a stand against this irresponsibility and the first step is to vote against candidates that promise to "bring home the bacon." We would all be far better off with the money spent on pork being returned to us via reduced spending or, better yet, tax cuts. 3. A good representative is one with seniority. It is assumed that the most senior members of Congress have the easiest time sending more "pork" back home and term limits would deprive Congress of members with valuable experience. Coburn argues that the opposite is true and that seniority in Congress tends to erode sound judgment and character. He cites studies that show over time, members of Congress become less representative of their districts. Some would argue that if "we the people" don't like the way our representatives conduct business in Washington, we are free to vote them out in the next election. While this is technically true, the power of incumbency is very, very difficult for challengers to overcome. Coburn examines four aspects of the "incumbent protection system": 1. Franking power. Incumbents may send mail to constituents ostensibly for informational purposes but in reality use the franking privilege as a method to raise money. 2. Campaign finance limits. Campaign finance has been an issue in the 2004 campaign, but while limiting campaign contributions sounds like a good idea, it really only serves to further the interests of incumbents at the expense of challengers. Challengers, without the broad name recognition and franking power, have a much tougher row to hoe in raising money especially if they have to do it in very small increments. Wealthy candidates are not affected by campaign contribution limits. 3. Outside income limitations. Coburn, a physician by trade, had a self-imposed three-term limit when he was elected to Congress in 1994 and planned to return to his practice when he left Congress. Ethics rules nearly forced Coburn to give up his practice. Such rules essentially force people to choose to give up careers entirely in order to serve in Congress, thus promoting the "career politician" at the expense of the potential "citizen legislators" who might serve a few years before returning to their former careers as envisioned by the founders. 4. Gerrymandering. Career politicians use the practice of carving up districts to include particular constituencies as a way of ensuring reelection year after year. While it is very, very unlikely that Congressional term limits will ever become the law of the land, after all, it would take an act of Congress to get that done, it is in the best interest of all Americans to defeat career politicians. As for myself, I've imposed my own term-limit criteria. Four terms for a member of the House and two terms for Senators. After that, they no longer get my vote, regardless of party affiliation. It is time for all Americans to take a cold, hard look at the people that "represent" them in Washington. It is time for career politicians to start thinking about new careers. Consider that when you cast your vote on November 2. -- Send feedback to the author. The "What is the Deal?" column will appears weekly on the Pie of Knowledge website. Guest submissions are welcome and encouraged. To submit an article to "What is the Deal?" click here. To subscribe to the "What is the Deal?" mailing list and receive early notification when a new column is available, click here. The Pie of Knowledge will never, ever divulge email addresses to any third party for any reason unless so ordered by a court of law. Contributions to the Pie of Knowledge are greatly appreciated. 
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