My feeling is that in order to return “public service” to the realm of politics, we need to ensure that politicians remain “public servants” by limiting their time in government. I’ve suggested that we amend the constitution to limit an individual’s ability to remain in government service to a term of 12 years *at all levels*. In other words, you can be a senator for 4 years, a representative for 4 years and vice president or president for 4 years, and *that’s it*. Eliminate the Strom Thurmonds, the Jesse Helmses, the Ted Kennedys and the Robert Byrds. One should not be able to spend a lifetime in government, as that tends to invite corruption and the feeling of invincibility, as incumbents are rarely defeated. And it reinforces the idea that you’re taking time out of an otherwise private life to perform a little “public service” before you return to that private life.