I’m kind of wishy-washy on term limits. I do think there is value is having familiarity w/existing law and regulation. E.g., let’s say a potential politician gets up in arms about europeans retiring in the U.S. and getting paid out of our SSA (they do), only to later discover that this is part of recoprocity treaty w/have w/many countries (so americans can retire in europe and be paid from their pension system).
Not a good example, but I hope you see what I mean.
Instead of term limits, I would rather see a very efficient impeachment process that applies to all govt branches. Not the recall elections that drag on for years, but something that gets them out when they start abusing their office, like almost all of them do (earmarking). Sort of like putting a cop on administrative leave pending investigation.
Of course, such a procedure could be abused as well, hence penalties for abusing THAT should be life in prison, as it undermines the will of the people.
“The graveyards are full of irreplacable men.” - DeGaulle
Meaning that nobody is truely irreplaceable. The arguments against term limits always come back to the idea that there are some people in congress that are simply irreplacable, due to their experience and wisdom. Looking at what has been going on in Washington (on both sides of the aisle) should prove to everyone that widsom doesn’t always follow experience, and there really isn’t anyone in Washington that could not be replaced.
My proposal is to have an 18 year limit (in total) for holding any federal elected office. That would be 3 terms for a senator, 9 terms for a congressman, or any combination (say 6 terms as a congressmand and 1 term as a senator). Once the total goes over 18, you can no longer hold federal elected office.
Make an execption for the office of the president, since it is a unique office.
The point is eliminate CAREER politicians. Bottom line, that’s the real problem. People who aspire to have a career in politics (just like anyone else migh aspire to have a career in private industry).