Across America, Congress has a 12 percent approval rating. So, 12 percent of U S citizens are satisfied with the actions and behavior of Congress. One might conclude that the other 88 percent of us would be electing someone different.
The Congressional districts in Texas are so gerrymandered, each district is either heavily Democrat or heavily Republican. So, the person winning the Republican primary in a predominately Republican district will almost certainly be elected to Congress in November; likewise for those winning the Democrat primary in a Democrat district.
The Texas 2012 primary election results are in. For the 36 seats in the U S House of Representatives, 4 were new districts as a result of redistricting following the 2010 census. There were 20 districts in which the incumbent was challenged in his/her primary (16 Republicans, 4 Democrats); of these 20 only one was defeated. Hence, 5 percent of the challenged incumbents were defeated, or 95 percent of challenged incumbents will likely be re-elected in November!
Similar primary elections results are likely in the other 49 states. Look for two more years with no significant change.
Wake up America! We are being duped by the career politicians we elect over and over again.
Glen Terrell
Arlington, TX
Dale Whiting posted at 5:17 pm on Thu, Jun 14, 2012.
Career Arizona Politicians:
Jon Kyl - soon to become a lobyist?
John McCain - will he run again?
Jeff Flake - wants to graduate to the Senate
The question is not "If we reelect career politicians will be get somethng new?" but "If we elect novices, will be get left out?" House and Senate committee chairman slots are awarded by seniority.
The answer to this delema is TERM LIMITS!
IceCat posted at 6:17 pm on Thu, Jun 14, 2012.
Some times things worked out like Mitchell defeated JD. Mr. Hayworth was so popular here he is now hosting a radio show in North Dakota,
Rational Human posted at 7:07 pm on Thu, Jun 14, 2012.
I don't think term limits will change anything for the better. Didn't change anything in Mexifornia. And if we get a good rep we lose them when their term is up. No, the problem is a little deeper than you seem to think. Apathetic voters is the real problem. They vote for the best sound bite.
chatmandu002 posted at 8:58 pm on Thu, Jun 14, 2012.
I believe there should be term limits for congress. The house members term should be changed to a 4 year term with a 3 term limit for a total of 12 years. The senate should remain a six year term with a 3 term limit for a total of 18 years. With elected members being allowed to serve full limits in both chambers.
I also believe that Supreme Court justices should be term limited to 25 years. No one in our government should have a life time appointment.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 8:32 am on Fri, Jun 15, 2012.
Dear Letter Writer,
We have seen the exact same argument from on of this newspaper's Columnists.
If you want to change the way America elects their Congressmen and women then change the Constitution of the United States, Article I, Section IV which states..."THE TIMES, PLACES AND MANNER OF HOLDING ELECTIONS FOR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES, SHALL BE PRESCRIBED IN EACH STATE BY THE LEGISLATURE THEREOF; BUT THE CONGRESS MAY AT ANY TIME BY LAW MAKE OR ALTER SUCH REGULATIONS EXCEPT AS TO THE CHUSING (SIC) SENATORS".
Bingo6 posted at 2:35 am on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
Was'nt Jeff Flake one of our first congressman to promise to be only a two term politician?
OH and don' t forget Matt Salmon another believer in tem limits is running again, and again, so much for term limits in Arizona.W