In football, it doesn’t get any better than the NFL. That’s what it means to be a pro. In politics, to be “a pro” means something very different.
Missouri State Sen. John Schneider has been in office for 30 years. He doesn’t like the term limits that 75 percent of Missouri voters imposed on the legislature. With typical arrogance, Schneider has introduced legislation to water-down limits so he can stay even longer. Comparing legislators to professional football players, he said, “There’s a whole lot of difference between the NFL quarterback who’s a rookie and the NFL quarterback who’s got some seasoning.”
Oh yeah? Missouri is home to the NFL world champion St. Louis Rams who were led this year by an unheralded rookie quarterback who grabbed most valuable player honors as well as MVP of the Super Bowl. More rookies please.
In California, Michigan, Colorado, Oregon, Arkansas, and Maine where term limits have already gone into effect the new “rookies” are doing just fine AND cleaning up messes left by the old pros. Give us the amateurs. An amateur is someone who does something for the “love of it.” If you aren’t in public office because you love this country, if it’s all about you and your benefits and your career, then get out.
Congressman Matt Salmon of Arizona is stepping down after six productive years as a citizen legislator. He puts it another way: “If the NBA operated like Congress, they would have a bunch of fat, old men shooting free throws.”
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.