Term Limits

[Hathcock]

You are correct. I confused your idea with 24 years, with the other, more restrictive idea.

But the principle stands- 4 years, 10 years, or 20 years. Putting a time limit on serving in elected office infringes on the right of a Citizen to participate in his self-governance, and on the rights of voters to select the candidates of our choice.

Then what would you suggest to limit corruption and the effect of the Washington bubble (politicians only aware of what is going on in Washington and not their districts)

[Big Dog]

Our system is broken, politicians and big government are spending us into oblivion. The Washington establishment is so out of touch with the rest of the US the power structure has to be changed. Politicians serve us, We don't serve them. If left alone they will continue to crush the value of the dollar and reduce our political influence in the rest of the world. As a billionaire you struggle with a government that can't maintain a constant course and if the economy does crash what will that do to your business and investments? The only way to change Washington is to take power away. We need strong capital to drive a public awareness campaign to institute term limits for all branches of Government. Once term limits are in place the government will become effective again problems can be addressed without the fear of not being re-elected.

I can (and probably already do) spend my money and influence now to get what I want.

You want to use my money and my influence, to reduce the power of my money and my influence.

What's in it for me?

[Hathcock]

I can (and probably already do) spend my money and influence now to get what I want.

You want to use my money and my influence, to reduce the power of my money and my influence.

What's in it for me?

Honestly Big Dog I don't know the answer to that. I'm simply tired of the status quo in our government. Something has to give. In my mind Term limits would go a long way to fixing the power structure of the country. Sure there may be a better answer. All I know is that it wasn't the intentions of the founding fathers to have professional politicians. Representatives were supposed to come from districts to represent those districts and that isn't happening anymore.

[Big Dog]

Then what would you suggest to limit corruption and the effect of the Washington bubble (politicians only aware of what is going on in Washington and not their districts)

I suggest nothing.

I mistrust government, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. If the term limit is five years, the same sick, venal narcissists will serve (themselves) for 5 years, and will take their suitcase full of cash with them when they leave. The next generation of officials will be equally sick, venal, and narcissicistic.

It is the responsibility of each Citizen to inform himself and to participate in the process. We get the government we make. Couple an electorate where 50% +1 vote to plunder from their fellow Citizens (makers v. takers), and majority of citizens who vote for American Idol instead of voting for their elected officials. We will continue to make a sick, venal government populated by narcissists.

[Big Dog]

Honestly Big Dog I don't know the answer to that. I'm simply tired of the status quo in our government. Something has to give. In my mind Term limits would go a long way to fixing the power structure of the country. Sure there may be a better answer. All I know is that it wasn't the intentions of the founding fathers to have professional politicians. Representatives were supposed to come from districts to represent those districts and that isn't happening anymore.

I understand that, my friend.

This Socratic exercise was intended to point you to understanding that the solution may be worse than the problem.

In my opinion, the answer is found within each of us, the sovereign Citizen, and not in anything Washington shoves down our throat.

1. Stand on your principles. Do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason.
2. Don't give the bastards an inch.
3. Starve the pig.

[Hathcock]

I understand that, my friend.

This Socratic exercise was intended to point you to understanding that the solution may be worse than the problem.

In my opinion, the answer is found within each of us, the sovereign Citizen, and not in anything Washington shoves down our throat.

1. Stand on your principles. Do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason.
2. Don't give the bastards an inch.
3. Starve the pig.

I admit Part of the benefit as I see it is that it will reduce the impact of the low information voter. Too many people vote idiots back into office merely because it's a name they recognize not based off of anything else. Maxine Waters comes to mind.

[Big Dog]

I admit Part of the benefit as I see it is that it will reduce the impact of the low information voter. Too many people vote idiots back into office merely because it's a name they recognize not based off of anything else. Maxine Waters comes to mind.

Congresscritters bring "free stuff from Washington" back to their home districts, and the LIVs vote for them to get more "free stuff".

LIVs are not familiar with the principle of TANSTAAFL.

[Hathcock]

Congresscritters bring "free stuff from Washington" back to their home districts, and the LIVs vote for them to get more "free stuff".

LIVs are not familiar with the principle of TANSTAAFL.

http://youtu.be/YmqoCHR14n8

[Hathcock]

I suggest nothing.

I mistrust government, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. If the term limit is five years, the same sick, venal narcissists will serve (themselves) for 5 years, and will take their suitcase full of cash with them when they leave. The next generation of officials will be equally sick, venal, and narcissicistic.

It is the responsibility of each Citizen to inform himself and to participate in the process. We get the government we make. Couple an electorate where 50% +1 vote to plunder from their fellow Citizens (makers v. takers), and majority of citizens who vote for American Idol instead of voting for their elected officials. We will continue to make a sick, venal government populated by narcissists.

There has to be a way to hold them in check, I agree I do not trust them but I refuse to allow that they are my master. I will fight that till I die or move away from this country. Doing nothing is not an option. It's time to look at any and all options to change our current direction.

[CG6468]

But the principle stands- 4 years, 10 years, or 20 years. Putting a time limit on serving in elected office infringes on the right of a Citizen to participate in his self-governance, and on the rights of voters to select the candidates of our choice.

We've already lost those "rights". We have no self-governance, nor do we have the option of selecting candidates of our choice, which is done by political parties.

[Big Dog]

There has to be a way to hold them in check, I agree I do not trust them but I refuse to allow that they are my master. I will fight that till I die or move away from this country. Doing nothing is not an option. It's time to look at any and all options to change our current direction.

You are correct- they are not your master.

They will only be your master if you let them. That ultimately falls to you, the Citizen.

I will never move from my Country. I will never submit. I will never surrender.

[Hathcock]

I will never move from my Country.

But if something doesn't happen to change the course we're on then this will no longer be our country, it barely resembles the country I grew up in as it is.

[obumazombie]

Term limits, if ever enacted will more adversely affect conservatives than it will libs. Libs have a machine in place to put manchurian candidates like owebuma into office. Inept, incompetent, inexperienced.
Conservative candidates must be impeccable and squeaky clean with several terms in place to bolster their incumbency.

[Dori]

Term limits, if ever enacted will more adversely affect conservatives than it will libs. Libs have a machine in place to put manchurian candidates like owebuma into office. Inept, incompetent, inexperienced.
Conservative candidates must be impeccable and squeaky clean with several terms in place to bolster their incumbency.

You mean like McCain?   

[obumazombie]

You mean like McCain?   

I wouldn't call McCain conservative. He's very easily distracted from conservative principles.

[Hathcock]

I think after this president you're going to see more vetting of presidential candidates. no more sealed records

[Hathcock]

You mean like McCain?   

McCain is exactly what I'm trying to prevent with term limits. his smile makes my skin crawl, Harry Reed has the same effect.

[obumazombie]

I think after this president you're going to see more vetting of presidential candidates. no more sealed records

Vetting of libs ? Haah.

[Hathcock]

I don't think the libs are gonna be talking highly of Obama after his presidency is done. I think they're going to hope he fades into obscurity. he's hurt the dem party as well.

[rich_t]

1. Stand on your principles. Do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason.
2. Don't give the bastards an inch.
3. Starve the pig.

And end up in jail.  That is where we are heading. IMO.

[Big Dog]

1. Stand on your principles. Do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason.
2. Don't give the bastards an inch.
3. Starve the pig.

And end up in jail.  That is where we are heading. IMO.

I am an American Citizen. I will never submit. I will never surrender.

[CG6468]

I am an American Citizen. I will never submit. I will never surrender.

I'll be there with you. 

[biersmythe]

Term limits, if ever enacted will more adversely affect conservatives than it will libs. Libs have a machine in place to put manchurian candidates like owebuma into office. Inept, incompetent, inexperienced.
Conservative candidates must be impeccable and squeaky clean with several terms in place to bolster their incumbency.

Libs wouldn't exist if I had a say...we may be headed that direction when push comes to shove soon anywho.

[NHSparky]

That would depend on the voters. If there's no benefits to electing an individual, maybe we'd see higher quality people running for off.

Nonetheless, I simply cannot fathom why someone would open up his or her entire life to scrutiny about what he or she did or opined in the past. The further back in the past the less sense it makes.

I would disagree with that.  Here in NH, the Reps get $100/year plus mileage to/from Concord.  Not a whole lot.

What that does is creates two types who run for office--seniors and those who don't need the money, either independently wealthy or kiddies still living with mommy and daddy.

None of whom really represent basic middle class interests.

[NHSparky]

That's why I asked the beginning question, about enacting the term limits law without Congress.

Again, term limits on elected officials at the federal level ain't ever gonna happen because it would quite literally take a Constitutional amendment to do that.