Term Limits - Success or Failure

Chuck Plante | June 12, 2007 | backtothestreets

[backtothestreets]

Many FReepers still consider term limits a remedy to problems that plague our nation.

I am located in California where term limits is now the law for all non-federal elective offices. The effort was primarily aimed at removing one person from state politics, Willie Brown, then Speaker of the Assembly.

My personal assessment is that term limits has ushered in an era of progressive-liberalism from both the Democratic and Republican parties never imagined. It has also tossed many very capable conservatives from office. I wonder how others assess term limits now.

Using California as the example, how many FReepers would like to see term limits extended into all states and Congress?

[hdstmf]

Me!

[InsensitiveConservative]

Me too!

[goldstategop]

I support term limits. I don't think any politician should serve a lifetime in public office. Two terms is plenty. Its not like these talentless hacks couldn't be replaced by people who have something new to contribute. I would like congressional term limits. Two terms for senators and six terms for House members. Poster Boy #1 for term limits is Ted Kennedy. He's served in the Senate since I was born. Poster Boy #2 is Trent Lott who thinks his 35 years of service makes him better than his constituents. Term limits would be the best reform that could ever happen to Congress.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Prokopton]

America is more and more being governed by an arrogant elite of professional politicians. The advantages to incumbency are great. I know of no other way than term limits to get back to the founders concept of citizen legislators.

[HaveHadEnough]

Extend them! Extend them! Make them relinquish the Orb!

[w1andsodidwe]

The problem with California term limits is that the players just find another elective office to hold. And the people just vote them in. Look at the former Governor Jerry Brown. He became the mayor of Oakland and then Attorney General of the State. Problem is, I think some people just vote for a name they have heard in the past instead of voting with intelligence.

[California Patriot]

There’s no reason to think the legislature in California has become (even) more liberal due to term limits. The voters and the Democratic gerrymander did that.

[goldstategop]

I agree. I think incumbency creates a "name brand." Term limits will create a level playing field for outsiders who otherwise would never have a chance of entering public service. The Republic has survived fine with presidential and state executive branch term limits. There's no reason to think new legislators could not do a better job than they ones they're replacing.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Right Cal Gal]

I agree. These individuals are turning being a Senator/Congressman into a lifelong career. Two terms max in the Senate, four in the House, and no more than 15 years total.

[BooBoo1000]

Our Founding Fathers never would have imagined a professional politician. Most of them were farmers, store owners, and such, so that is was a real sacrifice for them to attend congress. Now we are infested with a entire collection of political fleas, who hide is the seams, of society, and like to do their dirty work in the back offices, and night spots. Nothing would be better for us than to get rid of these professional trough feeders, such and Robert Byrd (sp) or Ted Kennedy, look at the ones like Trent Lott, and Old What’s his name ( used to be married to Liz Taylor).They do not add a thing to the running of our Country. Two term and out. We might lose a few good men but we would get rid a lot of bad ones.

[Right Cal Gal]

Not only that, but BOTH California houses are based on population rather than area. So the blue counties get overly represented and the red counties (which there are more of in California) are always completely shut out.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Well, Jerry Brown wasn’t consistently in office. He didn’t hold any office from the time he left the Governorship until becoming Oakland Mayor, over 16 years.

[PhilCollins]

I agree with your idea, except that the limit can’t be an odd number of years, since the terms are six years for senators and two years for reps. The limit should be 16 years. It’s unfair that presidents have term limits and congressmen don’t.

[mtnwmn]

I agree but the state that I live in will never allow us to vote in term limits.

[PhiKapMom]

Term limits have been great in OK for the Legislature — in fact I would recommend them. Without term limits the Dems would still control the OK House and we wouldn’t be tied in the Senate. In 100 years of statehood, the Republicans have NEVER controlled the OK Senate outright. We are tied this time and are in position to take it over in 2008.

I am all in favor of term limits. Ours are 12 years max in either the House or Senate which is six terms in the House or three in the Senate or combination thereof which reaches 12.

[coon2000]

Term limits now!

[Carry_Okie]

Term limits engendered a parade of what I call "put-up-dolls," candidates hired to mouth the right phrases for a couple of years while delivering the goods, then to take their new job as a reward on the way out. Even if they were honest, they aren't there long enough to learn real competence.

Term limits got rid of a good many dedicated public servants too. A good example was Quentin Kopp. However much I disagree with his politics, the guy was honest.

[Thud]

I agree that California’s 6-year legislative term limits are far too low, and have been disastrous - the $35 billion energy scam raid on the state, the horrendous state budget defict, etc. We might as well have a one-day limit and draft people off the street to be legislators for a day.

IMO a simple 16 year limit would be fine, and I’d like to extend that to state appellate & Supreme Court judges, Congress, and all federal judges too.

[Tarantulas]

I agree with you. I think term limits are a bad idea. The assumption is that no one ever seeks office because he’s a dedicated public servant who wants to make this country a better place. With term limits, if you elect someone who’s in there doing a great job and commanding respect from everyone, he’s forced to quit, for no reason other than to kick out the occasional bad guy. That’s wrong, and it hurts our country.

If the Founding Fathers didn’t want career politicians in office, then term limits would have been part of our Constitution. They’re not.