John Dingell: 50 years; Robert Byrd: 46 years; John Conyers: 40 years. All are among the longest serving members of the US Congress; most of them continuously. Fifty years at one job is generally a blessing, and in today’s volatile work environment, it’s virtually impossible. But, fifty-year Congressmen are a curse and a disservice to the American people.

Over 230 years ago, the founding fathers knew that most people have an innate thirst for power. And so, when they created the Articles of the Confederation, the first Constitution, they suggested that Congressmen should “rotate”, serving in limited terms, and return to their constituents.

Nothing so strongly impels a man to regard the interest of his constituents as the certainty of returning to the general mass of the people, from whence he was taken, where he must participate in their burdens.” —George Mason

So what is the problem with career politicians? Incumbency. Politicians become enthralled in reelection, making deals with special interest groups, constantly changing their views to match the latest poll, raising money for the next campaign, becoming more and more a part of the status quo; losing contact with their constituents.

One good example of the affect of careerism is Rep. Howard Coble. Coble was first elected in 1985 as a Reagan ally, reelected to nine more terms as a conservative voice in the Republican caucus. But recent campaign rants the War in Iraq, former president Bush, and CAFTA have indicated that Mr. Coble was more concerned about his career than his constituents. Another example is Sen. Richard Durbin. Sen. Durbin, a longtime liberal Democrat, admitted that he completely reversed his views on abortion in the 1980s after some personal soul searching; coincidentally during that time, NOW, NARAL, and other pro-choice groups began to increase their control over the Democratic Party and the liberal left.

“[T]he Representatives ought to return home and mix with the people [so as not to] acquire the habits of the seat of government, which might differ from those of their Constituents.” —Roger Sherman

There are some who suggest that term limits would hinder representatives from doing their job, from creating relationships with other members, and from developing the experience it takes to get things done in Washington; saying that it takes time to get things done on Capital Hill. Well, I agree. It takes months to pass a budget bill, everyone has to make sure they get their. In contrast, it took all of about nine hours to debate and pass the resolution that authorized using force against Afghanistan after September 11th. Congress has a way taking care of the important things rather quickly, then using the rest of its time creating waste and finding more ways to spend our money. The great George Will put it best when he said, “[Congress] does thousands of little things, but does none of the important things.” Many people talk about the brashness of a lame-duck President. Imagine how much can be accomplished with a lame-duck Congressmen.

“Even good men in office, in time, imperceptibly lose sight of the people, and gradually fall into measures prejudicial to them.” —Richard Henry Lee

“The power under the Constitution will always be in the People. It is entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period, to representatives of their own choosing…” —George Washington

For more information on term limits, check out Citizens for Term Limits.