Democratic Accountability
Originally, this post was to be about term limits, advantages and disadvantages, and why I am leaning towards three four-year terms for the House, and two six-year terms for the Senate. To the general analysis, this would allow for greater accountability, and moreover, decrease the influence of "special interests." However, in taking my class on Congress, I would argue that you can support that incumbents serve their constituents best, which is how they remain in thier jobs.
In thinking about this, it led me to thinking that this would not solve one of my major complaints, and that is the short-sightedness of democratic bodies. Take the example of Katrina. It was in New Orleans' best interest to have a fail-proof plan should a major hurricane deal a blow to the city. As we saw, the plan that was in place was not great, nor was it followed. Disater preparedness is expensive and only semi-tangible, and so it rarely gets done properly. This is also probably one of the root causes behind our inability to stop 9/11, and why people want to pull out of Iraq.
Some other issues where short-term interest beat out long-term benefit: worldwide free trade, Social Security Reform, Tax Reform, budget deficits, the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Issues where the long-term won: the American Revolution, waiting for the Lord of the Rings movies, the Cold War, (Iraq).
I can't think of a way to change the short-term outlook without giving an enormous amount of power to government and bureaucrats, whom I don't trust. Any ideas?
UPDATE (6:02PM): John Fund points out some bad enviromental policy, which fits this perfectly.
In thinking about this, it led me to thinking that this would not solve one of my major complaints, and that is the short-sightedness of democratic bodies. Take the example of Katrina. It was in New Orleans' best interest to have a fail-proof plan should a major hurricane deal a blow to the city. As we saw, the plan that was in place was not great, nor was it followed. Disater preparedness is expensive and only semi-tangible, and so it rarely gets done properly. This is also probably one of the root causes behind our inability to stop 9/11, and why people want to pull out of Iraq.
Some other issues where short-term interest beat out long-term benefit: worldwide free trade, Social Security Reform, Tax Reform, budget deficits, the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Issues where the long-term won: the American Revolution, waiting for the Lord of the Rings movies, the Cold War, (Iraq).
I can't think of a way to change the short-term outlook without giving an enormous amount of power to government and bureaucrats, whom I don't trust. Any ideas?
UPDATE (6:02PM): John Fund points out some bad enviromental policy, which fits this perfectly.
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