Congressional Term Limits

[djones520]

So, i'm lucky enough to be represented by one of the more conservative Reps serving in congress today, Rep. Pete Hoekstra.  I've had decent luck in the past getting my views to him, and even getting replies.  So I felt that I would bring this issue forward to him, and get his take on it.  See if it's something he'd be willing to approach.

I'm also going to be emailing Glenn Beck about this issue as well.  The centrel theme of his shows the last couple weeks has been about government corruption.  Well what better way to curtail it then by cutting out all of these life long Congress Critters?

So, why don't we start grass rooting this thing.  If you've got conservative Reps and Senators, bounce this off of them.  Also, start hitting Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity, etc... up with emails about it.  Spread the word to whatever other conservative forums you post at.

Presidential Term Limits were brought about by the 22nd Amendment.  We know that we won't be able to get Congress itself to pass an Amendment that will get half their asses fired the moment the ink's dry, but if we really got serious about this there is no reason we can't push to hold a Constitutional Convention.  The vast majority of this nation is sick of Congress, and I have no doubt that if we can just get the word out the masses would make it happen.

[Broederbond]

A Constitutional Convention is an insane idea which will do nothing more than set the stage for a total rewrite which will make our budding Total State 100% legal. What is wrong with the normal mode of amendment, working thru the State Legislatures.

[Broederbond]

I strongly expect that the folks at DU would LOVE a convention as it would play precisely to their areas of strength. There is simply no way that a convention can be kept from being open ended. That is why the real conservatives of 30 years ago were soooo very opposed at that time.

[TheSarge]

I strongly expect that the folks at DU would LOVE a convention as it would play precisely to their areas of strength. There is simply no way that a convention can be kept from being open ended. That is why the real conservatives of 30 years ago were soooo very opposed at that time.

   30 years ago...term limits weren't even an issue.  No one was talking about them.

[5412]

Hi,

In 1994 congressional term limits was part of the the "Contract with America" and every candidate that signed on agreed to support that issue.  It passed in the house of Representatives and then died in senate committee.

That is something that should be done, absolutely however getting congress to get the ball rolling is a whole different issue. 

I do not think one needs a constitutional convention to amend the constitution.  It needs to be passed in Washington then sent to the states for ratification.  I for one, would suggest they grandfather in every current or former member of congress so it is easier for congress to support it as they are not voting themselves out of a job.

regards,
5412

[unbiased]

I do support term limits and am willing to do whatever a private citizen has to do to get it passed.  I just don't know exactly what to do and I don't know what a constitutional convention is.  Is there something out there that I can support to get it done?  Is there anything I can do to help the process along?  John Boehner is my representitive and he seems pretty down to earth, but how much of that an act and how much is true I just can't tell.  If emailing or pressuring him in any way will help, then I will do it.  Let me know what to do because I really don't know.

[NHSparky]

However, one issue with term limits I have is that elected officials would then lack the experience to make sound decisions on complex issues, and actually become MORE dependent upon what the special interest groups tell them to do.  This has been the case in several places that did adopt term limits.

Also, it really doesn't do anything to stop career politicians--look at California as a prime example.  Even when people are termed out, they just shuffle from one political job to another, like some huge bureaucratic revolving door.

[TheSarge]

John Boehner is my representitive and he seems pretty down to earth, but how much of that an act and how much is true I just can't tell.

I'd vote personally for down to earth.  He's not my rep and I'm not from his state.  But every time I'm at the Capitol for a mission he's the only one why ever says anything to me.

[Chris_]

Congressional term limits are the lazy-man's way of doing what the Founding Fathers intended for all citizens of the Republic to do for themselves.

[Celtic Rose]

Congressional term limits are the lazy-man's way of doing what the Founding Fathers intended for all citizens of the Republic to do for themselves.

Think we can institute a basic civic knowledge requirement for voting instead?   

[Chris_]

Think we can institute a basic civic knowledge requirement for voting instead?   

It'd be nice, but I think it would be too easy for the Anarchists, Criminals and Letchers Union type attorneys to argue that it was a literacy test or something, and I think those are prohibited in association with polling.

[5412]

However, one issue with term limits I have is that elected officials would then lack the experience to make sound decisions on complex issues, and actually become MORE dependent upon what the special interest groups tell them to do.  This has been the case in several places that did adopt term limits.

Also, it really doesn't do anything to stop career politicians--look at California as a prime example.  Even when people are termed out, they just shuffle from one political job to another, like some huge bureaucratic revolving door.

Hi,

I totally disagree with you.  You would have true business and community leaders serving the government.  Most of the career politicians are so power hungry they forget who they work for.  No one in congress should have the power of Pelosi, Reid, Kennedy, McCain and others.  Look at all their history and they are beyond tainted.  If you eliminate all the power and perks that come from seniority you have people working together for the good of the country.

When you look at it most of the folks in congress who are lifers never had a real job.  Show me a person who started a business from scratch, and had to sweat making payroll or providing health care for his/her employees and I will show you someone who is in tune with the needs of America.

regards,
5412

[NHSparky]

5412,

I then refer you to Defiant Six's post above.  He also puts out a good point.  Term limits are a cop-out for people and allow them to keep being lazy and uninformed.

[franksolich]

Uh, may I interject something here?

Nebraska state senators (we don't have state representatives, just 49 state senators) were term-limited some years ago, to two four-year terms.

There were court challenges, and there was much whining about how a lack of "experienced" state senators would mean all these novices would have to lean more on lobbyists for expertise about how to do things.

Well, 2000 was when this started, and term-limited state senators had to leave in 2002, 2004, and 2006.  There's no more old-timers there.

Every single year since 2005, that point where new state senators outnumbered old-timers, there's been budget cuts and tax decreases.

This year, for perhaps the first time in legislative history, the legislature called it a session when still far short of its 90 days, because all their work was done and there was nothing else to do.

Tell Nebraskans term-limits don't work.

[NHSparky]

Coach,

Tell Californians that term limits DO work.

That knife cuts both ways.

[djones520]

Coach,

Tell Californians that term limits DO work.

That knife cuts both ways.

Well, it doesn't help if the closest thing that California has to a conservative is Arnie.

[5412]

5412,

I then refer you to Defiant Six's post above.  He also puts out a good point.  Term limits are a cop-out for people and allow them to keep being lazy and uninformed.

Hi,

I agree with you.  I think part of the problem is they get in and then they gerrymander the voting districts so you cannot get rid of them......plus they have learned that they can spend taxpayer money to buy votes.  While I am not a Herbert Hoover fan, when Roosevelt proposed paying unemployment compensation his is quoted as saying, "The minute you allow the public direct access to the treasury you are creating chaos beyond anything mankind has ever known."  History would seem to indicate he is right on.

You are 100% right when you say the voters are ill informed, lazy, preoccupied, whatever.  At the same time we have presidential term limits and it seems to be a way around that issue.  Term limits is just a whole lot more practical.  

If one has been to Williamsburg, VA where they have the recreation of the town in the 1700's you quickly realize that there is one thing our founding fathers missed when designing the Constitution.  Those folks really had to sacrifice to serve their country.  They rode on horseback or in carriages for days to get to Washington, leaving their businesses and family farms behind.  They truly sacrificed to serve their country.  I seriously doubt if any of them ever envisioned a "career" politician.

Personally I would rather have citizens running this country who take time out to serve their country, as opposed to career politicans who are generally out of touch with the real world.

regards,
5412

[djones520]

5412,

I then refer you to Defiant Six's post above.  He also puts out a good point.  Term limits are a cop-out for people and allow them to keep being lazy and uninformed.

And thats differant from now how?  Did you forget how our President got elected?

[NHSparky]

Well, it doesn't help if the closest thing that California has to a conservative is Arnie.

Not true.  California, once you flush the turds that are LA and SF out to sea, is a pretty conservative state.  Some of the state lawmakers and now Congresscritters, like Rep. Tom McClintock (former state senator).  Ditto guys like Issa, Rohrbacher, former Congresman Hunter, and I could go on.  Also, don't forget Ronaldus Maximus.

[NHSparky]

And thats differant from now how?  Did you forget how our President got elected?

Nope, I sure didn't.  But I can assure you, the mushy middle is sure getting an education now, aren't they?

[Chris_]

And thats differant from now how?  Did you forget how our President got elected?

Well, a fair argument could be made that the current CinC-Dipstick got where he is BECAUSE term limits were placed on the presidency back in the last century - in contravention of what the founders had established.

[5412]

Well, a fair argument could be made that the current CinC-Dipstick got where he is BECAUSE term limits were placed on the presidency back in the last century - in contravention of what the founders had established.

Hi,

I would much prefer to take my chances on the president than have King William for 6 terms.  I think if we had congressional term limits it would limit the strength of the party control on congress and he would have a much tougher chance of getting his ideas through congress.  Right now they control the PAC money and they use it as a club to garner votes.  When democrats have to ask Pelosi's permission to vote against a bill out of fear they will get voted out of office, there is something terribly wrong with the system.

And the flip side of the Obama issue, thank God we have term limits because it keeps a president from becoming a king.....If Obama rigs the census, and there were no term limits, we might never have been able to get him outta there.

regards,
5412

[NHSparky]

In a way, however, think about what might have happened had Billy Jeff gotten a third term, then 9/11 happens on HIS watch.  No blaming Bush, it all falls SQUARELY on his shoulders.  One could make a serious arguement that if something like that had happened, it would have seriously damaged the Dem party.