Beware The Corrupting Influence Of Status

One of the truly amazing facets of American government, and American democracy overall is the lack of a ruling class, or more specifically a ‘legislative class’. The founders and the framers understood the fragility of self rule, but believed that if given the opportunity, citizen-legislators would be amongst the basic bulwarks that would guide their audacious experiment known as the United States of America. The architects of our Constitution also had first hand knowledge of the baneful effects of a ruling class; America would not become home to earls, dukes, counts and their ilk. The House of Representatives was conceived as the ‘people’s house’. Citizens would come for a while, serve their country, bring voice to the concerns of their communities, and then after a few terms, return home to their lives and give the opportunity, responsibility  and privilege to another citizen to do their part. The Senate was designed as the more deliberative body, the place that would necessitate long and thoughtful debate.  It was believed  that the more successful members of their respective communities would be asked to serve, to handle the larger issues that faced the country. These senators would serve a term or two, and then return to their profitable lives back in the private sector. This is why there is specific language in the Constitution relative to no member of the government holding any title from another government, and why there was no language about ‘term limits’. The concept of professional politicians was anathema to them; it made no logical sense.

The concern today is that representatives seem to feel the need to be addressed not as ‘congressman’, or ‘senator’, but if applicable to be addressed by whatever political title they have; chairman, majority leader’, etc. What is even of greater concern is that they seem to feel that such titles should follow them after their terms are over. Former speakers, senators, etc. appear on current media outlets with their titles intact. This is dangerous, for it shows them to believe they have some level of birthright to the positions they were given by the American people. The most glaring example of this was Senator Barbara Boxers’ response to being addressed as ‘ma’am’ by a general giving testimony before a senate committee. She chided the general and told him point blank that she should be addressed as ‘senator’, on her belief that she had worked hard to achieve the title. ‘Ma’am’ is a show of respect within the military, and represents deference to an individual in authority. A United States senator should know that.

Demanding to be addressed with a political title is a dangerous step towards establishing a ‘ruling class’, and Americans should be wary of allowing it to continue.

There does not need to be a Constitutional amendment on term limits to address this issue. The electorate merely needs to thank their representative for their service, give them a firm slap on the back for a job well done, a firm handshake wishing them well, and then show them the door out of the peoples’ representative office. 

‘We The People’ is the beginning of the Constitution for a reason.