The United States government has many strengths, such as its system of checks and balances, but it also has significant flaws that create problems in our society. One major issue is the lack of term limits for senators. Some of the examples of long serving senators are Robert C Byrd who has served for 51 years, Daniel K Inouye who has served for 49 years, and Patrick J Leahey who has served 48 years. Just as there are term limits for the President, senators should face similar restrictions. Implementing term limits would help ensure that younger perspectives are represented in Congress. Another serious concern is insider trading among lawmakers. This practice occurs when senators use non-public information to trade stocks, thereby enriching themselves at the expense of public trust. In recent recordings senators and house members such as Robert Bresnahan, Jefferson Shreve, and Marjorie Green all from the house have bought stock and sold stock. Robert Bresnhan for example has sold 118 stocks all ranging from prices of 15,000- 50,000$. Having the amount of stock bought and sold at this amount is unheard of. These financial incentives can lead senators to prioritize personal gain over addressing pressing issues facing the nation. Additionally, our two-party system and the electoral college contribute to several systemic problems. The existence of only two major parties often creates a divisive atmosphere, where individuals are judged and insulted based on their political beliefs. This division can lead to long delays in decision-making within Congress, as members of each party often refuse to compromise or consider opposing viewpoints. Many innovative ideas are stifled simply because they come from the opposing party. Moreover, the two-party system limits choices for voters, as they often have to choose between only two candidates. This has resulted in many states seeing a lack of diverse political representation over the years. The electoral college further complicates the voting process, making some voters feel that their votes carry less weight. For example, in Vermont, the three electoral votes are a stark contrast to states that have significantly more, leading to the perception that votes in smaller states are less impactful.
