[Recon Dad]

You are correct it isn't as simple as term limits, but I would hope by eliminating the professional politician the motivation to be in Congress would change. Getting people who have respect and understanding of the Constitution would be easier without the temptation to make it a career.
My Congressman, John Boehner, considered a staunch conservative in a very conservative district is a prime example of someone who got to Congress and found out he likes it. The local party will never change horses because it would not serve their purposes.
Over the years the Federal government has assumed more and more authority abetted by a willing congress. Finding a way to get this authority away from them will require a legislature that set limits, right now we have none, liberal or conservative.

[G.Mason]

" ... Getting people who have respect and understanding of the Constitution would be easier without the temptation to make it a career ... "

And here's the rub. The study of our Constitution is not taught, to any great length and understanding, in the public schools.

As we parents are aware, children take the easy way out. They want to begin employment at the top. No apprenticeship, and if possible, be handed everything by others.

I guess what I am saying, is that even should we "children" read and understand the Constitution, we would wish to ammend it, allowing this to continue.

As you decribed Congressman Boehner, so have we all become, and I am afraid the solution to the change in this attitude will be severe when it comes.

"Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year."