Focus on Short-term Fixes: “Third-rail” issues are shunned

Why? Because they are afraid it will hurt their chances of being reelected.

Why are they afraid of not being reelected?
Members clearly know – as do all of us – that some programs are not sustainable in their present form and must be changed. However, they also know that an ever-increasing number of their constituents receive financial benefits from such programs; Social Security and Medicare are obvious examples. Most members of Congress are infected with careerism and therefore are not brave enough to support legislation to correct long-term problems. They want to continue to receive the power, prestige, perks, and financial rewards of being a member of Congress. So, they kick the can down the road. Careerism and short-term thinking are the root causes.

Robert Kennedy wrote in his foreword to John Kennedy’s book Profiles in Courage: “What happens to the country, to the world, depends on what we do with what others have left us.”

Why? Because leaders can punish a member for exhibiting courage and defying the party line to solve a long-range problem.

Why do leaders have so much power?
Careerism and safe seats tend to cause Congress to have these powerful and overbearing leaders.

Why? Because House members are almost continually facing an election.

Why do they face elections continually?
Due to the two-year term in the House of Representatives, exacerbated by careerism. It also leads to excesses in campaign money raising and spending.