It all boils down to lack of term limits. The founders didn't intend for us to be saddled with a permanent ruling class, they envisioned the American people sending hard working, successful citizens to Washington for a term or two, then having them go home and pick up where they left off while others were sent to govern for a term or two. They knew that this way, those serving would go with full knowledge of the will of their neighbors and fellow countrymen and serve without the encumbrance of any career considerations.

With politicians making careers of politics, serving in the House and/or the Senate for decades, it's inevitable that the trappings of power and the ability to live beyond the means of most of their constituents without having to produce anything has a narcotic effect. It's human nature. They become parasites on the taxpayer's dime.

I'd wager, if such a wager were possible, that if the founders had given more thought to it and realized where a lack thereof was going to lead us, term limits would have been written firmly into the Constitution.

These political careerists become more adept, out of perceived necessity, of ensuring their political survival than they will ever be at solving the nation's problems. They make deals geared more toward their own re-e******n than toward the concerns or betterment of their constituents' lot, spread the wealth, on the back of the taxpayer, where needed within their home districts' political organizations to retain local nominations every e******n and as often as not kick problems down the road instead of solving them to preserve them for future campaign promises or causes they can recycle from term to term.

If the v**ers in their respective districts are too stupid to figure out their being had by swamp dwelling parasites whose concerns about We, the People are how much they can bulls**t us for v**es, they deserve what they get, and face it: if you talk to most people, they are clueless about who and what they're actually v****g for.

Unfortunately, most Americans have become complacent and no longer adhere to the great Thomas Jefferson's statement that it is incumbent upon every American to look over the politicians' shoulders and keep an eye on what they're doing on our behalf.

Well, this is not the first. Two-three weeks ago, a group began pushing to use tens of thousands of unused work visas to bring in foreign medical field workers, doctors and nurses. These t*****rs knew quite well that American hospitals were laying off medical personnel because the v***s had not filled the hospitals as expected. I do not recall the names of these t*****rs, except for one, who is a Republican from my state. I went to v**e in our primary today (e******n day next week) but could not even v**e against him because no Republican opponents, but I am so angry. I have never h**ed anyone in my life, but I am reaching the point of actually despising congress, all of them, both parties, and I consider them all t*****rs to this country and the American people. Yes, we have lots of citizens who are l*****ts, socialists, etc, who seem to h**e America and want to destroy both this country and real Americans. But those people have the right to their viewpoints, but the people elected to Congress are NOT entitled to their viewpoints. At e******n times, these scoundrels stand in front of us and lie with perfectly straight faces and enthusiasm, telling us what they know we want to hear. So, they know very well what we want done about different issues so critical to our country and us and THAT IS THE ONLY VIEWPOINT these t*****rs are supposed to have while in office representing us, supposedly working for us! But as soon as they win the e******n, we are totally forgotten and ignored except for the few ultra wealthy and corporation heads that can help these scoundrels increase their power and purses in Congress. They all disgust me. I hear often that there are a few good ones. My answer to that is NO, they are just as guilty because they never stand and fight for us and their very silence puts them on the side if the others. A pox on all of them and a sincere hope that karma finds them soon.

Seth

yours is an astute summary of a gaping hole in our Constitution for which the Framers can hardly be blamed.

In those times, a romantic vision of responsible e*****rate easily prevailed. The mystery of the E*******l College persist to this very day, unexplained adequately by the "yays" or "nays".

Nobody in the late 18th century could predict the astounding success of our "experiment", despite the ups and downs well known to the students of our history.

Not only our "career" politicians became corrupt, but so did the e*****rate suffer from consumerism and consequent political indolence.

But I am taking shortcuts here, signs of incipient rant. So I will stop here with a 'thank you'.