The cycle of grid-lock in Washington has existed for decades, and shows no signs of changing in the near future. Politicians seem firmly entrenched in their positions, and their loyalties to their political parties and lobbyist friends. With money and power dictating their actions, it has become a vicious habitual behavior that will be difficult to change.

~Behavior Modification

As with any cycle of habitual behavior, it will be necessary to change the behavior if anyone is serious about breaking this cycle of grid-lock. Professional psychologists will tell anyone that changing behavior is not an easy task, but it is possible. Since politicians are obviously not able to control their addiction to money and power, the following proposal might provide needed incentive to act in the interests of their public service instead of in their own self-interest.

~Kick out the Lobbyists

Washington is full of lobbyists with obscene amounts of money to invest in politicians that will support their causes. There is no question that many politicians have long since sold their souls to satisfy their greed for money, and the power that it represents. It is almost impossible for local citizens to capture the interest of their Congress Person while lobbyists wave fistfuls of money at them.

There is no justification for permitting lobbyists to have such prominent access to legislators. Their lobbying should be removed from Washington, giving needed access to the common man to discuss important local issues with their representatives. Stated in one simple phrase, Kick the lobbyists out of Washington!

~Term Limits

Almost as pervasive to honest government is the present age of the professional politician which produces Senators and Representatives who become institutions after decades of political power have been accumulated. The founding fathers of the United States never envisioned politics becoming a career for a lifetime of pursuit. The disconnect between being a common citizen and being a political powerbroker must be eliminated. Limited terms in office would provide such a situation, and should be considered.

~Election Reform

Big money and powerful politicians combine to create an unfair system for legitimate competition when elections are funded privately. Particularly, elections at the state and federal level are an activity that only the rich, or the financially well-connected can afford. This past election tells a story that is unfortunate. One candidate for President had several times as much money to spend on his election compared to the other. Even though legal under current law, this disparity negates the concept of a fair election. Federal election reform is needed, regardless of which party had the advantage in the last election cycle.

~Conclusion

If anyone is serious about eliminating the grid-lock that has plagued government in recent decades, some changes have to be made. When wealth and power blind politicians from the concept of representing their constituencies, self-interested politicians will continue on their current path. They will only modify their behavior if it is forced upon them by those who elect them.

American citizens as a whole are honest, hard working people. They are not corrupt, and do not compromise their principles as a matter of course. Without irresistible temptations, politicians are no different. When the temptations are removed, grid-lock in Washington can be reduced to realistic levels. The potential result is a modification of behavior on Capitol Hill that is long overdue.

Learn more about this author, Bob Schmidt.
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