Some modest political proposals

I realize that I’ve been obsessing about politics in this space lately, bypassing more typical local columnist fodder such as unique people, local history and the occasional giant vegetable.

Actually, I’m not even that “political” — I’ve voted for candidates from both major parties over the years. Moreover, I toss out personal opinions only to stimulate public conversation. After this, I promise I’ll shut up and go local again.

Anyway …

From the recent Bedford County meeting with signs pleading “Please Raise My Taxes” to the continuing health care debacle in Washington, it occurs to me that government as we know it is close to broken. Here are some suggestions on how to regroup:

• Term limits. At some point, holding public office has morphed from public service to a lifetime job.

Couple that with a two-party system, and you have inevitable gridlock. If you admit that the other party could possibly have a good idea that might hurt you in the next election. If you do anything to offend the electorate (such as raising taxes) you may be forced to return in disgrace to the real world.

How about cutting office-holders off after two terms? That would give them time to make a difference (if that’s what they want), but not enough time to become entrenched. Have it effective on all levels: federal, state and local.

I used to be against term limits, but now it seems like a necessity.

• Amend the Constitution to allow those in the House of Representatives to serve four years instead of two. How can anyone go about the business of governing when they have to spend their whole term running for re-election? How long has Virginia’s Fifth District Congressional election been going on, for instance?

• If anyone — lobbyists, corporations or a candidate’s best friend — want to contribute to election costs, fine. But let them contribute to the party, not the person. Let the party do the fund-raising. Add a commission of some sort to dispense money for qualified independents.

Send a candidate or incumbent a check for their campaign, and it’s legal. Buy them a car for the same amount, and it’s bribery. How does that make sense?

• Here is something I’d like to see TV stations do voluntarily. Run election ads, but specify that the ad has to be about the candidates and what they have to offer, not about their opponents. “Attack ads” are nothing more than a cheap ploy to avoid having to put forth an agenda of your own.

• Get rid of income tax, on all levels. It seems to me that this method of raising revenue is completely inefficient. People with good tax lawyers can always find loopholes. Those on public assistance don’t have to pay it, thus creating resentment from those who do. Figure out some way to make a sales tax work.

How? Don’t ask me — I’m only a columnist.