On Mon, 27 Oct 1997, Glenn Amerine wrote: > >>>>> "M" == M W Blunier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > > M> On 27 Oct 1997, Manoj Srivastava wrote: > >> What problems are term limits supposed to solve, exactly? > > M> They prevent the voters from re-electing someone that due to > M> his entrenchment in the system, has more power than a freshman > M> would have. Greedy and self serving voters vote for the > M> incumbant not because is better for the larger comunity, but > M> because he can use the power for the people that voted for > M> them. > > What power does Bruce have that someone running against him wouldn't > have? > > M> This is especially prevelant in US politics. For example, it > M> would be very difficult to beat Ted Kennedy in an election, as > M> he has enough power from the committees he chairs and the votes > M> he can trade with his other cronies that it would cost his > M> state a lot of money if he were replaced by someone else. > > You just made a HUGE leap my friend. US Government and Debian are more > than a tad different. (Hey Bruce, I'll vote for you if you make sure > jobs get generated in my district from that Debian powered power plant > ;-}).
Heck, I'd vote for Bruce if he ran for President. Mayby this isn't what you were saying though. > M> Hopefully the members of the Debian board is not motivated by > M> self serving reasons, and are smarter that the typical > M> American. > > Most Americans realize they all ready have term limits. They are > called elections. When it comes to US positions, sure the Incumbents > have an advantage due to the money and influence they can shift around > during election time. You have a pretty weak argument if you are > saying this applies to Debian like it does in the US Government. What I like about the term limits idea is that they permit authority to be rotated around regularly with no hard feelings anywhere. I would feel bad voting Bruce out of office after all the work he has done. Term limits make change automatic, which is perhaps good. > This is not a yes or no on Ted Kennedy, but if he was doing that bad > of a job wouldn't he have been out of office a long time ago? To buy So I take it you are from Vladivodstock or some such place? > your argument, the Republicans would have to be under-funded and never > have been in a position of power during Ted's office. Think about it. > > Sorry for being off-topic, but I couldn't help it. Bruce has done a > hell of a job and is now getting smashed on the Net for doing so. Look > at your screen and decide if you want to be reaping the benefits of > Bruce and all the other Debian developers or Bill Gates's "work". If > you want term limits, think about Bill, not Bruce. I don't mean it to be unpleasant or ungrateful to Bruce, just the opposite in fact. I don't like to think of any Debian volunteer stepping down after being voted out, term limits seem to me like a better idea for this reason and others. > Glenn > -- > Glenn Amerine Inet: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Computer Systems Analyst Voice: (614)224-1336 > Metropolitan Human Services Commission Fax: (614)224-6472
