The Presumption of Incumbency

We have seen it happen twice already this primary season. First Bob Bennett in Utah and now Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania. Before both of these incumbents lost primary elections there were more than a few “premature” retirements. Disappointing is the analysis that any of these primary ejections or retirements are bad news and that the low polling of incumbents is a sign of infighting or an ill-tempered electorate. Bennett cried about losing his career. The 80 year old Specter switched party affiliation when faced with a primary challenge and lost anyway. Both are pathetic and we are better for seeing them move on.

It does seem correct that many voters are displeased with congress regardless of the party initial following their name. And I believe that it has everything to do with people who are tired of a congress that does not listen to its constituency. Too often congress treats us as subjects and believes that they are our bettors. Thanks in no small part to gerrymandered districts many believe that they are entitled to their positions. The seniority rigged policies of congress are used as a weapon to frighten the electorate into being afraid to vote for someone new out of fear of not receiving their “fair share”.

Politics is a cynical and cruel game and I feel sorry for anyone who points to the federal government as a cure to our societal ills. A so-called representative body whose only goal is self perpetuation can never be trusted to put the interests of anything other than itself first. And that is what we have today in our legislative branch.

Our system of government is supposed to be of, by and for the people and it has grown and grown into something very unrecognizable. Bennett and Specter should be ashamed of their self important behavior to this point instead of continuing to act as victims. No one is entitled to a seat in congress. Congress should not be a career. Serving in congress is a privilege and those few chosen by their peers should always remember how they got to where they are. No member of congress should cloak themselves in the warm blanket of humble public servant after losing in an election in order to make themselves seem worthy of our pity.

A group called the Club for Growth was cited by both examples of incumbency gone wild as reasons for their loss. In citing the Club for Growth both ex-senators had nothing but ugly words for this group. From what I understand the Club for Growth is a group of citizens that attempt to elect the most conservative candidates in races they target. The establishment would like nothing more than to silence groups like the Club for Growth and any other person who dare speak out about our bettors.

The reason why this kind of situation exists is simple. It is because the elitists in congress do not view us as citizens, they view us as subjects. The only answer to this problem is term limits and more citizens joining together like the Club for Growth to help elect the people who would make it happen.