Thread by @TiffanyBond

Hey #mepolitics -

Ready for a #SundaySoapbox?

Tonight I'd like to discuss "career politicians", and how we should maybe rethink that term.

It gets treated like a bad phrase. We're doing it wrong.

I *want* people in politics to see legislation as a career. Let's discuss.

How do we treat careers if we are serious about them?

We strive for proficiency, keep up on continuing education and try to do a good job...even when no one else is looking, because it is satisfying to be competent and well-respected at your career.

#SundaySoapbox #mepolitics

I regularly hear people advocate for term limits. For some elected roles? Sure.

For Congress? No.

But whyyyyyyy? Won't it get out the crummy reps? No. It will get us *more* crummy reps that are crummier.

Huh? Let me explain.

#SundaySoapbox #mepolitics

Congress is a goldilocks job.

If you start too young? Not enough life experience.

If you start too old? Might be incredibly detached from current events and technologies.
(see: most of the hearings on CSPAN involving *any* sort of technology)

#SundaySoapbox

That leaves mid-career as our best options.

In case you are wondering...I've just turned 42 last week, right in the zone of perfect for first term.

BUT there is a problem with asking people in their 40s to ding dong ditch their careers for 8 years.

#SundaySoapbox #mepolitics

Those are prime earning years. I don't know about you, but I might like to retire someday. If I dump career for 8 of my best career years...no retirement.

Who would that leave us with?

#mepolitics #SundaySoapbox

It leaves us with independently wealthy and/or those who are in careers that don't provide retirement (which probably aren't the best qualifiers for writing legislation). Is that the Congress you want?

#SundaySoapbox #mepolitics

It encourages a culture of cashing out. I definitely DO NOT want that. Do you want that?

We should pay a fair wage for a well-done job, and provide performance reviews every 2-6 years for Congress.

#SundaySoapbox #mepolitics

When you hear someone running for office complaining about "career politicians", pop an eyebrow and ask why.

After all, they are interviewing to make that job their career, right?

Why is it ok to be a career for them but not who they want to replace?

#SundaySoapbox #mepolitics

Treat legislators for federal office like they are seeking a career. You *want* this to be their career, their day job.

Make them demonstrate the skills required for the job.

Wonder what nonsense you are being sold when "career politician" is bad.

#SundaySoapbox #mepolitics

If it's ok with you all, I'm applying to change careers and work on improving our body of law.

The salary meets my needs, I can perform the duties of the job, and I plan to continue to walk the talk in supporting communities by #MaineRaising.

#SundaySoapbox #mepolitics

If you are up for it, I'm not going to pretend I'll go there and get things all fixed up in a couple of years. That's not how it works.

I'm happy to accept being a career politician (though I prefer legislator) with a 2 year performance review.

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#SundaySoapbox #mepolitics