Term Limits

[CG6468]

Can the citizens of this nation make and enforce a provision to make term limits mandatory for all politicians, and do it without congress critters passing anything? The pols won't do it because it would destroy their "careers." But being a rep or senator was NEVER meant to be a career.

[ExGeeEye]

Maybe it could be done at the state level?

[Hathcock]

I think it would be possible to force them to pass something like that but it would take massive support from both sides. Think we could get Dems and Republicans to work together long enough to get it done?

[Big Dog]

Can the citizens of this nation make and enforce a provision to make term limits mandatory for all politicians, and do it without congress critters passing anything? The pols won't do it because it would destroy their "careers." But being a rep or senator was NEVER meant to be a career.

We already do.

They are called elections.

[Hathcock]

Problem is getting voters united not to vote for an incumbent. It would be interesting to start a mass campaign to do something like this.

[CG6468]

We already do.

They are called elections.

No, we don't. Elections are bought and paid for by the pols. 

[Big Dog]

No, we don't. Elections are bought and paid for by the pols. 

Yet each election is an exercise in term limits.

Sometimes the incumbent wins, and sometimes the challenger wins.

[CG6468]

Yet each election is an exercise in term limits.

Sometimes the incumbent wins, and sometimes the challenger wins.

Term limits would ensure that a new group of people would represent the people of this country. That's what's needed to change how things operate, good or bad. One 5-year term for everyone but the president's 2-4 year terms.

Simply relying on elections has never worked, and it's much worse now. Take Chuckyouschumer, Peloshit, Dunnieharry, worthless boner, etc. as examples of how bad things are. Please take them....

[Eupher]

Yet each election is an exercise in term limits.

Sometimes the incumbent wins, and sometimes the challenger wins.

I think the point that CG is making is that MONEY is a much more powerful voice than the ballot.

[docstew]

I think the point that CG is making is that MONEY is a much more powerful voice than the ballot.

Either that, or the fact that the current voting population is so woefully uninformed that they reelect the incumbent at a rate of 97%.

I'm for term limits. I think it should be a total lifetime limit of 20 years of federal elected office.

[CG6468]

Thanks, doc.

20 years of government service is way too much.

[rich_t]

Can the citizens of this nation make and enforce a provision to make term limits mandatory for all politicians, and do it without congress critters passing anything? The pols won't do it because it would destroy their "careers." But being a rep or senator was NEVER meant to be a career.

Can't be done without amending the COTUS.

[rich_t]

Either that, or the fact that the current voting population is so woefully uninformed that they reelect the incumbent at a rate of 97%.

I'm for term limits. I think it should be a total lifetime limit of 20 years of federal elected office.

I'd opt for no more than 12 years as an elected official.

[CG6468]

I'd opt for no more than 12 years as an elected official.

The limit has to be tied to the end of the term of service, whatever that would be.

[rich_t]

The limit has to be tied to the end of the term of service, whatever that would be.

I'm not following you on that.  Please expand on what you mean.

[CG6468]

I'm not following you on that.  Please expand on what you mean.

I favor one term of 5 years.

But depending on how the terms of service would be set up:

For 5-year maximum: OUT after that 5-year term.

For 10 year maximum (2 terms) - OUT after 10 years (MAX).

Etc.

No exceptions, no further government service or government job.

[rich_t]

I favor one term of 5 years.

But depending on how the terms of service would be set up:

For 5-year maximum: OUT after that 5-year term.

For 10 year maximum (2 terms) - OUT after 10 years (MAX).

Etc.

No exceptions, no further government service or government job.

Senators serve for a minimum of 6 years.  That is where I got my 12 year max.  Two terms.

[CG6468]

Senators serve for a minimum of 6 years.  That is where I got my 12 year max.  Two terms.

But that's no reason the people can't change that, at least in my scenario. There'd be no minimum, only a maximum.

Tying it in with the end of the maximum term(s) would eliminate the off-year elections (except for a death of a rep or sen.)

[biersmythe]

Yep i agree 12 years total don't pass go afterwards don't collect anything.......go back to civilian life, and that is if you were in the senate. In my opinion if you your term would go over the 12 year mark for the office you are going for they you are not eligible to run....period. We have a problem with the twits in orifice especially the socialists.

[Chris_]

Yep i agree 12 years total don't pass go afterwards don't collect anything.......go back to civilian life, and that is if you were in the senate. In my opinion if you your term would go over the 12 year mark for the office you are going for they you are not eligible to run....period. We have a problem with the twits in orifice especially the socialists.

Twelve years is fine by me.  Two terms in the Senate, six in the House.  No more of this lifetime gravy train where you have drooling geriatrics on the federal payroll.

[obumazombie]

Many conservatives don't understand the scope and strength of vote buying schemes libs have perpetrated on hard working real Americans. It is this institutionalized vote buying that gives lib office holders unlimited terms.

[biersmythe]

Yes you are right...that is why I would have provisions to execute anyone taking bribes and/or kick backs...might thin out pretty quick...but I say that's ok. I my self am sick of this holy-er than thou mentality in our slaves in office...they work for us.

[Big Dog]

Term limits would ensure that a new group of people would represent the people of this country. That's what's needed to change how things operate, good or bad. One 5-year term for everyone but the president's 2-4 year terms.

You would simply exchange long-term incumbents with machine politics and party dynasties, with a new face every 5 years.

Is that an improvement?

Simply relying on elections has never worked, and it's much worse now. Take Chuckyouschumer, Peloshit, Dunnieharry, worthless boner, etc. as examples of how bad things are. Please take them....

How would their replacements be better? Is there something about a term limit that increases the quality of candidates?

[biersmythe]

Well term limits wont increase the quality of the candidate...just limit the damage done by one bozo. I don't know if we can increase the quality because people that would make a difference wont run...only the idiots it seems. But then again the idiots seem to be reproducing at a gawd awful rate as well...but that a different discussion altogether.

[NHSparky]

Maybe it could be done at the state level?

But it wouldn't carry any weight in regards to those who hold elected federal office; i.e., Senators and Representatives.  To limit them would take a Constitutional amendment.

Several states do in fact have term limits for their elected officials.  And for the most part, they're a joke, as the same group of politicians simply play musical chairs/positions in state governments.  Look at California as a prime example of that. 

Problem is not so much the term limits as it is the fact that Congressmen/Senators are constantly fundraising.  And to do so, they'll listen to the PACs that donate hundreds of thousands or millions to their campaign coffers before the schlubs like you and me who give them a couple hundred at most.

How to resolve this?  Giving away "free" airtime, while it sounds nice, ain't the answer either.  Candidate, particularly in close districts, will blow through their allotment and pour millions more into TV/news spots.