Congress needs term limits

Re “Scandal could doom senator,” July 30

For years, Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) has been the poster boy for those who advocate congressional term limits. Now he is joined in that role by recently indicted Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). The lesson once again is: No matter the party, tenure corrupts. And the longer the tenure, the greater the corruption. Members of Congress spend a vast amount of their time in Washington trying to get reelected. They do it by bringing home the bacon to their lobbyist buddies through various pork-barrel projects. In return, the lobbyists make sure the lawmakers’ coffers are filled so they can wage the next reelection campaign. Doesn’t it make sense to limit the lawmakers to two or three terms so they can concentrate on doing the people’s business?

Many states, including California, have mandatory term limits for their legislators. Even the president is term-limited. Now it’s time to get serious about mandating congressional term limits. Nothing else would clean up the mess in Washington faster and more completely.

Jim Blumel Sr.

Newhall