I was not happy to see that one of the scheduled speakers was Luke Esser, Chairman of the Washington state Republican Party. I have nothing against Mr. Esser personally. I had a nice chat with him on my front porch a number of years ago when he was door-belling my neighborhood seeking support for his run for the state legislature (and I voted for him). Given that this event was sponsored by a group of Republican supporters it’s not surprising that Mr. Esser was invited. To his credit, he did not try to turn the rally into a recruitment drive for the GOP. What irked me was the fact that any politician was allowed to speak.

The Tea Parties are a grassroots movement fueled by anger at what politicians of both major political parties are doing to this country. The people I spoke with are just as upset with the Republicans as they are with the Democrats. We all watched with growing dismay as the Republican-controlled Congress went on a massive spending spree during the recent Bush administration. It doesn’t surprise us when Democrats do it, but many of us expected better from the Republicans. I guess we were wrong.

All of my adult life I have voted for Republican candidates for offices in all levels of government and have contributed money to their campaigns from time to time. I guess that makes me a Republican. But neither Mr. Esser, nor Michael Steele, Chairman of the Republican National Committee or any Republican office seeker can take my continued support for granted. From now on, it has a price tag.

In my view, the outrageous spending and ever increasing intrusion into our lives by government at all levels are not caused by “Democrats” or “Republicans” – those are just labels. No, the real source of the problem is the professional politician! Congress is filled with people who have been there for decades, a prime example being Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia who first entered Congress in 1953 – the year that Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of England. That is far too long for one individual to hold any position of power. Such a person becomes disconnected from the “ordinary folks” and comes to think he or she knows what is best for them and has the right to impose it on them, even against their wishes.

In 1951 the Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution, which states that “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice”, was ratified. It is time for another amendment limiting the number of years anyone can serve in Congress. If it’s fair for the President, it’s fair for the House and Senate as well. I suggest that six years should be the limit. That’s three House terms or one Senate terms. (We might want to change the length of those terms, currently two years for the House and six for the Senate, but that’s a detail to be worked on as the amendment is drafted.)

So, Mr. Esser and Mr. Steele, this is the price for my continued support of the Republican Party: make the passage and ratification of a constitutional amendment limiting Congressional tenure a major goal of the GOP platform. Do whatever it takes to have a legislative bill introduced in the House or the Senate and to get every current Republican member of Congress to vote for it by September 30, 2010. If you can’t get such a bill brought to a vote (which is likely with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid in charge) then issue a resolution calling for such an amendment. But keep pressing until it happens. If you do this, I will vote Republican in the November 2010 election. If you don’t, I won’t – it’s that simple. And I will stick with this policy until a term limits amendment becomes part of the Constitution. I want to keep voting for Republican candidates. I just want to pick new ones every few years.

I know this idea is scary. It is a major change that will upset the existing power structure. It will be strongly resisted by members and supporters of both major political parties. But consider the underlying message of the Tea Parties – we are looking for responsible and rational leadership! I’m willing to make a sizeable bet that the first political party to champion a Congressional term limits amendment will get overwhelming support from the people of this country. So, step up to the plate and hit a home run! Be the leaders we are seeking.

To the readers, this is my “Declaration of Independence” from the burden of the professional politicians. It matters not whether you are a Republican, a Democrat, or a member of any other political party. In my opinion we will all benefit from having new faces and new ideas in Congress on a frequent basis. I hope you will join me in the effort to take back control of our federal government, which is rightfully ours as stated in the Constitution. Let your voices be heard.