Progressive Minds

Today, I've been thinking that Joe Lieberman is an example of how dangerous entrenched power can be.

I've never been a big fan of term limits. I always figured elections were term limits. If you didn't like someone, just vote them out. But Joe Lieberman has me re-thinking that position.

Power corrupts a lot of people.

And I think that the longer a politician has held a particular office, they begin to feel a sense of entitlement. 

Moreover, I believe that is Lieberman's problem. He seems to think that Senate seat is his for the taking. It is not. That seat belongs to the people of Connecticut, and it is for them to decide who they wish to occupy it. And we have a process for determining that.

But by forcing his way onto the November ballot as an "Independent Democrat," in spite of the Democratic voters rejecting him yesterday, Joe Lieberman has shown that he feels a sense of entitlement to the Senate seat.

So I have a message to Joe Lieberman and every other politican.  You are NOT career civil servants.  You have no permanent position.  You are politicians elected to office, or removed from office, at the will of the people.  And when the people say it is time for you to go, you need to have the grace and humility to thank them for the opportunity to serve, and then leave.

If you are truly committed to public service, you can find other ways to serve, as a non-elected official.