tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post2879784500852724046..comments2024-02-24T00:37:43.087-05:00Comments on The Other McCain: Best wishes to the IFNAGsRobert Stacy McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084541621503669804noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-62062596222111922712009-05-29T10:55:18.345-04:002009-05-29T10:55:18.345-04:00Agreed on both counts. The staff-power problem do...Agreed on both counts. The staff-power problem doesn't loom as large in the Executive Branch as it does in Congress. No question limiting seniority would be a huge win for representative government.Richard Cooknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-82203256609324763042009-05-28T22:47:25.750-04:002009-05-28T22:47:25.750-04:00Term limits are something we've made explicit for ...Term limits are something we've made explicit for POTUS. However, as with McCain-Feingold, limiting political expression seems vaguely unpleasant.<br />The more abstract problem I'm attacking here is accretion of power.smitty1ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06559464300318848169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-42786452431304779902009-05-28T22:39:32.734-04:002009-05-28T22:39:32.734-04:00I understand and share the sentiment for term limi...I understand and share the sentiment for term limits - and the revolving randomized committee system is another good idea - but I'm very concerned about the increased power of the committee staffs. I haven't yet heard a good argument for letting unelected aides and staffers run the legislative branch. Neither can I think of a good way of limiting staff power. The problem with term limits and committee shaking-uppery - though again, I support them - is that Congress is knee-deep in so many issues that learn at the helm is almost as scary as what we've got. The reality of the modern Congress is that no average Rep is versed enough in agriculture, banking, and commerce issues [just to pick an example out of the air] to regulate them, yet they'll do so over and over again on their three committees within weeks of a new committee posting or freshman term. There's no one to rely on but the staff as it is, so I can't imagine a big change from the shoddy work being done now. Further, the lack of seniority and pull will limit the draw for good staff people.<br /> On the other hand, the starve-the-beast thinking might be applicable: by forcing new blood into every position on the field Congressfolks will voluntarily slow or reverse regulatory expansion so they don't have to work as hard. Maybe. Term limits are great, but we've got to be realistic about their effects.Richard Cooknoreply@blogger.com