Posted on 01/04/2017 9:42:30 AM PST by Michael van der Galien
This is an amendment every rational thinking conservative and libertarian can and must support:
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) today proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to impose term limits on members of Congress. The amendment would limit U.S. senators to two six-year terms and members of the U.S. House of Representatives to three two-year terms.
In other words, if the amendment is eventually added to the Constitution, congressmen can remain in office for a maximum of six years while senators can do so for 12 years. Presidents are already bound to two four-year terms.
As Senator Cruz explains, term limits are one of the most effective ways to break the Washington cartel -- the group of insiders who divvy up political power between themselves:
"The American people resoundingly agreed on Election Day, and President-elect Donald Trump has committed to putting government back to work for the American people. It is well past time to put an end to the cronyism and deceit that has transformed Washington into a graveyard of good intentions."
He adds:
"The time is now for Congress, with the overwhelming support of the American people, to submit this constitutional amendment to the states for speedy ratification. With control of a decisive majority of the states, the House of Representatives, and the Senate, we have a responsibility to answer the voters’ call-to-action. We must deliver."
This is an example that should be followed everywhere in the developed world. Many structural problems that Western countries face are caused by politicians who seem to have a lifetime position. No matter what they do, no matter how many times they betray their constituents, they're always reelected. The reason is simple...
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
I don’t like imposed term limits like this; they are a two-edged sword.
We already have term limits. They’re called “elections.”
elections carry with them term limits... limit the control of their salaries and benefits to the state legislatures and we will see a sea change of the type of members serving.
Indeed. That's my soundbite whenever someone brings up term limits. Voters should have the ability to choose, even if they make (in my opinion) the wrong choices.
It would be better to repeal the 17th Amendment & have senators appointed by the state legislatures. This is one thing that has SERIOUSLY thrown our gov’t out of balance. Senators should be pro-active in protecting their states, not their political careers.
Yes, and they often do. It should be on their own heads.
I think of the career politicians which are most ensconced and mostly who come to mind are the Northeast leftist liberals, like Kennedy and Franks. What would term limits do in that situation? Republicans would have to put up a severely ideologically compromised candidate to even have a chance at competing, like Charley Baker in Maxistchusetts. Where does that get us except where we'd be with Kennedy and Franks to begin with?
Disagree. There are plenty of great people who could be in office. The problem is that due to the corruption, money, etc. the power of incumbency is way too great.
Since Congress has no interest in reigning in the corruption that increases the power of incumbency, we need term limits.
I whole heartedly agree with abolishing the 17th.
The situation could be further improved by requiring the states to have a bicameral legislature composed of 1 representative in the upper house to represent each county in the state, and an equal number of representatives in the state house apportioned equally according to resident citizens within the state.
Further, the State Governor will nominate the State Senator to Congress and the legislature will meet in unicameral session and by majority vote, approve or reject the nominee. If in the event of a tie, the Governor will cast the tie breaker.
Further, Senators can be recalled by the state upon the Governor notifying the state legislature of his desire to remove the senator. The legislature will meet in unicameral session and if the measure is approved by 2/3rds vote, the Senator will be removed from office.
It may sound like overkill for an amendment but this has to do with correcting a SCOTUS ruling.
Elections can and are often rigged, one way or another. Term limits is quite superior. Have you taken a good look at the Democrat Party lately....they are all over the hill...some of their Senators & Representatives can barely walk or talk!!!
The founders of the USA intended for people to be representated by their fellow citizens, but...not for life or long term assignment, not career politicians!!!
If you remove all the illegal Democrat votes from Nevada, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Virginia....Trump would have won all four of those states. And....the California and New York votes are so out of line with the entire rest of the country, only an idiot or moron would say they were not weighted with millions Democrat illegitmate votes. Just think about the DNC bobsie Twins, Debbie & Donna, criminals both!! You might just get the Democrat vote game play!!! The Democrat vote fraud failed because millions of African-Americans, Hispanics, stayed home and did not vote for Clinton, and many women, blue collar workers, religious folks voted for Trump by the millions!!! Democrat Party is now dying politically on the vine, criminals that they all are!!! Luv it!!!
How about making English the official language while you're at it.
This!!! The Framers had it correct; the House of Representative is the "peoples house", elected by the people. The Senate should be a state decision.
No, they aren't
We already have term limits. They’re called “elections.”
Oh, you mean those things where the non-term limited guys wrote the laws so that the deck is stacked in their favor?
When there is a less then 10% turn over and your favorablity is under 10% there is something very wrong with the system.
We probably also need some kind of ‘emoluments’ clause applicable to congress. Too many are becoming millionaires while supposedly representing the people. All members of congress should have to (at minimum) publically declare each time they make or sell an investment, so taxpayers can see if what they’re doing is due to corrupt influence.
Make able applicants move from Governorships to Senate to House seats, then to the Presidency—if so able.
The better solution is forget congressional term limits and repeal the 17th ammendment
Any opposition candidate will have to lower their ethics considerably to compete. There is no guarantee that term-limiting someone out will result in a win for an opposition candidate, who could challenge the incumbent anytime anyway.
And yet the (original) Constitution is silent on term limits.
If you want to put legal limits on the time a person can hold a job, make a limit for employment by the Federal Government.
Turn the bureaucrats over every 4 years and THEN things will change.
Exceptions for military, law enforcement, etc.
I’m not a big fan of term limits, but career crony politicians who stay in DC 40-50 years is far more harmful to our republic.
Term limits kit Obama from becoming King, and would go a long ways toward breaking up the Congressional Mafia now in place. Fresh blood and ideas are sorely needed in out senile millionaires club.
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