Under the circumstances, may I suggest another means of encouraging probity in elective office. I refer to term limitations, which can serve ends beyond that of saving congressional souls. James L. Buckley circumstancecongressionalelective Change image and share on social
The kind of corruption the media talk about, the kind the Supreme Court was concerned about, involves the putative sale of votes in exchange for campaign contributions. James L. Buckley campaignconcerncontribution Change image and share on social
In the last analysis, of course, an oath will encourage fidelity in office only to the degree that officeholders continue to believe that they cannot escape ultimate accountability for a breach of faith. James L. Buckley accountabilityanalysisbreach share on social
It would seem, therefore, that this constitutional safeguard may no longer serve its original purpose, especially when, as we learned last year, some acts of perjury may now be acceptable - in this world, at least, if not the next. James L. Buckley acceptableactconstitutional share on social
I had hoped that the current presidential campaign debates might educate the public as to what is really involved in the ongoing controversy over campaign financing. James L. Buckley campaigncontroversycurrent Change image and share on social
Unfortunately, the media, which are not at all reluctant to act in their own self-interest, have succeeded in equating reform in the public mind with further restrictions on just about everyone else's freedom of political speech. James L. Buckley actequatefreedom share on social
What people fail to appreciate is that the currency of corruption in elective office is, not money, but votes. James L. Buckley corruptioncurrencyelective Change image and share on social
They may then be willing to cast principled votes based on an educated understanding of the public interest in the face of polls suggesting that the public itself may have quite a different understanding of where its interest lies. James L. Buckley basecasteducate share on social
This source of corruption, alas, is inherent in the democratic system itself, and it can only be controlled, if at all, by finding ways to encourage legislators to subordinate ambition to principle. James L. Buckley alaambitioncontrol Change image and share on social
