Yes, we can.

Many Americans are quick to turn to term limits, which present certain and not insignificant challenges. But we don’t need term limits to solve the problem of career politicians. These few reforms would do the trick:

1. ELIMINATE SALARIES AND ALL BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Want to hold government office and exercise legal power over your fellow citizens? Be productive, first. And save. Then pay for your expenses with your own money while you’re busy commanding others how to live. All of a sudden, a life of elected politics in the swamp of D.C. looks a whole lot less attractive.

Some worry that this would result in only the wealthy running for office. Well, it might also result in many more Americans being more productive, if they really want to be elected to a government position. And if many more Americans become wealthier, because they’re more productive, because they want to be elected to a position in government, and because they know they’ll have to pay their own way while they’re there, is that a bad thing?

At the same time, numbers 2 and 3 below will remove many of the incentives that attract citizens, poor and wealthy alike, to elected positions within the government.

2. REDUCE CONGRESSIONAL SESSIONS TO TWO-MONTH MEETINGS

The less time the clowns in Congress are in session, the less they can control and confiscate the property of fellow Americans. Need any more be said about this subject?

3. ELIMINATE REGULATIONS AND SUBSIDIES FOR BUSINESSES

Why do so many businesses spend so much money trying to influence members of Congress and their bureaucratic minions? Because so many businesses want either an exemption from a regulation to gain an advantage over their competitors, or a taxpayer-funded subsidy, or both.

Get rid of regulations and subsidies for businesses, and businesses will pay little attention to what members of Congress do during their short two-month sessions.

Get rid of regulations and subsidies for businesses, and businesses will certainly stop spending millions and billions of dollars lobbying crony politicians. Businesses will have better ways to spend their money. Like on research and development of new products, better marketing, better distribution, better customer service, etc.

As businesses stop giving money to members of Congress, members of Congress find themselves with far less power and influence over others. And when members have far less power and influence over others, who would want to be in Congress for decades?

Problem of career politicians, solved.