Standing with Rand, as Sen. Rand Paul (R‑Ky.) announced yesterday his candidacy for the U.S. Presidency? A banner: “Defeat the Washington Machine — Unleash the American Dream.”
I know and like Rand, both personally and politically. I love that message.
Yet, today, I come not to praise Dr. Paul but to use him as an example about political reality, nuts and bolts.
Like Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, Dr. Paul inherited a tremendous leg up in politics. All three have access to extensive networks of supporters and funding. But, “they didn’t build” those networks, not in toto. They are standing on the efforts of family members — a husband in Hillary’s case; parents for Paul and Bush, plus a Bush brother president.
The Kentucky senator’s father, Dr. Ron Paul, served 23 years representing a Houston, Texas, U.S. House district and ran for president three times.
I’m not whining. And I’m certainly not proposing a new area for the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to police. I’m glad, frankly, for Rand’s parental good fortune. (Mother, too.)
I am simply identifying the built-in advantages that come with holding political power … and the potential danger it unleashes: an entrenched, unaccountable, unrepresentative government.
Like we have.
The solution to powerful political dynasties? More competition. More participation. More activity and organizing, more money raised and spent and more messages expressed. Fewer limits and regulations blocking fundraising.
Easier entry into the political marketplace of ideas.
Is that what the IRS and the FEC have been working toward? Facilitating our opportunity to “Defeat the Washington Machine”?
Be that the case, or no, I’m happy to note that Rand Paul, in his kick-off, endorsed term limits.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
2 replies on “Defeat the Machine”
As a child, I was intrigued by the Kennedys but I have resolved never again to vote for the family member of someone who is already in politics, owing to a growing awareness of families entering the ‘family business’ of politics.. Bush v Gore was a contest between two candidates who never would have been elected dog catcher were it not for their fathers. Never forget that it’s not just presidents. Would Rand Paul ever have been elected senator without his famous father? Never forget though, that the people who run for these offices have but one vote. Many of those who rail against dynasties will vote for families of candidates. In the end, term limits are up to voters. If we feel that strongly about making government responsive, then it is up to us to vote for different people. It may be a cliché but it’s still true: we get the government we deserve.
Term limits are a pretty safe endorsement with a Congress that would never in a million years allow such a bill to reach his desk.