Posted on 08/21/2009 9:56:14 AM PDT by U.S.overallothers
I have been thinking back in American history. Following the two term precedent set by Washington all other Presidents, with the exception of F.D.Roosevelt, have stuck to this rule to show they were not "power hungry". We now have the 22nd Amendment to the Constitutional limiting the President to two terms.
It was Thomas Jefferson's ideology that "politicians" did not exist. It was his belief that ordinary citizens serve their fellow countrymen and return to their jobs and livelihoods (in that time farming). This principle is called republican agrarianism. For proof of Jefferson's ideals look to Virginia's short sessions for the state legislature.
My thinking is that if we limit the President's terms to prevent the hoarding of power, why not do the same thing for Senators and Representatives. Maybe we could get some fresh people in Congress uncorrupted and willing to listen to the American people. I haven't seen any articles on this subject and wanted to get a discussion started. What are your thoughts on this?
-U.S.overallothers
Kennedy potato head, Bawney Fwank and many others should be ousted! Two, 2 year terms and that’s it! Also, no fluffy compensation packages...nothing. You go back to work in the private sector like the rest of us.
Also, required to work in the the private sector for a minimum of 4 years before running for office!
The Republicans tried this in 1994 and gave up after the first Supreme Court rejection. Will need a Constitutional Amendment. Some States have imposed term limits, unfortunately not Massachusetts.
I agree wholeheartedly.
What entrenched politicians tell you is that they can get you the pork because they have been there long enough to know the ropes. I think if they get where they can get pork for their district they can also get pork their friends and their special interests and make it darn near impossible for them to be defeated and then they can do what they want, no matter their constituents.
There should also be term limits on their benefit packages, as in, Congresscritters can partake of their cadillac private insurance options only as long as they are serving in office.
After that, you get just what the average Joe citizen gets.
If this were there case today, NOT ONE of those a$$holes on the Hill would be in favor of Zero’s death care.
Two terms in the Senate and four terms in the House and the go the heck home!
LLS
Just my 2 cents.
If you can figure out a way to remove the thousands of entrenched staffers in unelected, unaccountable positions that actually write the bills, know the system, and guide Freshmen congressmen and Senators around then I would consider it.
If not, I am not going to hand over more control to these unelected, unaccountable staffers because it makes people feel good that they got rid of career politicians.
Two two year term limits is a virtual never ending campaign. How about the President, Senators and Congressmen all being brought onto a five year term together, with two terms maximum for everyone. That means less campaigns (which reduces cost), less campaigning especially for congressmen. All campaigns in the same year so that we don’t have situations where some are distracted and others are not. No career politicians. Era’s align with decades so they make more sense in people’s mind (kind of like a metric adaptation was supposed to).
Finally...outlaw lobbying for good on municipal, state and federal levels forever.
In my opinion, 8 years for a president is too long, as well.
What we need right now is a law that gives us a one year warranty on the president-elect. If, within the first year, the president-elect turns out not to be what we wanted then we can trade him in for the runner up.
Give them pop quizzes on the Constitution. Fail and you’re out.
He just laughed at me and said "it's never going to happen".
Boy I'd love to make that azzhole eat those words.
Define “lobbying”
Partyless system as well.
Legislative office(House and Senate) = 1 TERM, Administrative (Governors and President) = 2 TERMS
NO LIFETIME BENIFITS!
Term limits are like putting a bandage over gangrene. Looks better, but it's not.
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