Regardless of what side of the political fence you sit on, its time for the citizens, the voters, to take charge. Congress and the Senate will never pass legislation to enforce term limits on themselves. Instead, they essentially pass bills that help them keep their sinecures. We have a responsibility to create term limits at the ballot box. Our forefathers never expected these political positions to be a lifetime career.

I suggest that anyone wanting to serve our country in Congress or the Senate has the potential to serve for two six-year terms. That is a total of 12 years of service; then return to the private sector. They are eligible for 12 years of benefits, and may take any of the pensions they earned and transfer them to their private IRA or retirement plan. All benefits (pension, health care, etc.) received during the six or 12 years of service are terminated.

Furthermore, the presidency should be an eight-year term and done. This will eliminate the ridiculous time and money spent during the last two years of the first term campaigning to get re-elected.

Apply this principle to the Senate position in Pennsylvania. Bob Casey has served his terms, working to keep his cushy job, instead of representing what is best for his constituents. It is time for Lou Barletta to serve.

Tim Kelly,

Drums