As if a stressed-out society and a looming economic crash isn't enough, President Clinton's legacy quest includes 29,000 pages of rules, regulations and executive orders surpassing President Carter's record of 24,000 pages. What kind of governmental insanity is that?

Except for matters requiring emergency action, an outgoing president's powers should be curbed immediately after the presidential election. Indeed, all executive orders from a previous administration should be automatically rescinded. After all, this is not a monarchy. Or is it?

Speaking of power abuses, Congress ought to be required to review and repeal all unnecessary laws which should include unraveling the tangled tax code. Who ever said representatives were elected with mandates to "do something," too often beyond the limits of the Constitution?

Alas, it seems the only time elected officials are least adverse to the people's interests is when they "do nothing." Maybe it's time for nonpartisan elections and government. Maybe it's time to elect professional government managers instead of professional politicians seeking personal power. After all, this is not an aristocracy. Or is it?

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center