How can we term limit Congress (people like Roy Blunt and Barney Frank?) over bailout bill(vanity)

9/30/2008

[GreaterSwiss]

Blunt was first elected to Congress in 1996, when incumbent Congressman Mel Hancock honored his pledge to serve only four terms.

Why can't all congressman be term limited to 8 years such as Mel Hancock and Tom Coburn agreed to?

I am very upset (assuming politico website was true) Blunt encouraged retiring law markets to vote for this sham of a bill saying they won't face voters.

I e-mailed a bunch of challengers of Republicans and Democrats who voted for this bill. The common answer was there's no way we'll win since it's a solid Republic/Democrat district.

Look at Charlie Rangel - 90% elections...

[Corin Stormhands]

Honestly, I’d just like to put a term limit on vanity posts.

[P8riot]

There have been a lot of them lately.

[nuconvert]

I’m for term limits & age limits.

[Proverbs 3-5]

I think you have to amend the Constitution don’t you?

[unixfox]

We could get rid of most of them by simply having random drug and alcohol tests.

Fire them on the spot!! Just like the "little people"

[boomop1]

You get flamed every time term limits is mentioned, even though it is the only answer to the power grab in congress.

[icwhatudo]

Call your local republican congressman and ask that they do not support the same GOP leadership team next term or you will not support them.

[Boonie]

IMO, Term limits and line item vetoes are two of the most needed reforms that should be implemented...

[NonValueAdded]

Easy, oppose them with viable candidates. That is the ONLY way.

[Americanwolfsbrother]

You forgot banning lobbyists.AWB

[JohnQ1]

Be careful what you wish for, keeping in mind that fed pols who serve ONE full term get their full salaries and benefits for life. If we could limit them to one or two terms, and then execute them, I’d be for it. Wouldn’t even mind providing early “calls” for some.

[onedoug]

Yes. Dead issue.

[GreaterSwiss]

Then we can their pension plan to 401k..

[NTHockey]

Governor Sarah Palin had a real zinger: “I’m looking forward to meeting with Senator Biden. He’s been in the Senate since I was in third grade.” Now THAT will leave a mark.

On a more serious note, we fought a revolution against monarchy and inherited rule. Yet, our Congress is becoming just such a have. Second generation inherited members: Dodd, Gore, Chaffee for starters.

[NonValueAdded]

OK ... there IS an alternative and no, I don't mean that. The House and Senate make their own rules as is provided for in Article I, Sections 2 and 5 of the Constitution but nowhere in there is it written that a seniority system must be used. If there is a large enough Freshman class with some maverick 2nd and 3rd termers, a new Senator or Representative can make the case that they are just as qualified if not more so than the old guard to be the committee chairs. All it will take is a rule change. Do THAT and you eliminate the power of the incumbency. Then Barney, Nancy, Harry, Chris, Ted, etc., can no more bring home the pork than the newbie in the next district. Isn't that the point of term limits, to blunt the disproportionate exercise of power?

[5thGenTexan]

The US Constitution puts limits on age, citizenship and residency. It also states that "Qualifications" can come from the State Legislature.

That sounds like it's a state's rights thing. Contact your state legislature.

[HusbandMan]

Why not just have them enforce their own rules of propriety. For instance, according to house rules (last I remember, anyway) any member of the house engaging in homosexual activity was no longer fit to serve and must be removed from the house. That would get rid of quite a few. And I’m sure there are many other such rules that they are not following.

[donna]

I think you have to amend the Constitution don’t you?

Yes, because:

"In May 1995, the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton, 514 U.S. 779 (1995) that states cannot impose term limits upon their federal Representatives or Senators."

[Boonie]

Along with term limits and line item vetoes, quite a lot of the “perks’ of office should be removed or reduced...
IMO, these people are elected to SERVE....not BE served...