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Goodheart

(5,264 posts)
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 07:40 PM Oct 2019

This is why we need term limits, folks.

If a Congressperson or Senator is limited by law to two or fewer terms he might actually find the gumption to do the right thing... i.e. protecting the country over himself.... instead of trying to hold on to a lifetime gig.


33 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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This is why we need term limits, folks. (Original Post) Goodheart Oct 2019 OP
Or you'd get a revolving door of whores du jour. NightWatcher Oct 2019 #1
This right here is what happens ... JCMach1 Oct 2019 #3
That's what happened in FL mcar Oct 2019 #4
Thank you StarfishSaver Oct 2019 #6
Are you seriously suggesting we don't have whores in Congress right now? Goodheart Oct 2019 #12
It has been working fine here in California demosincebirth Oct 2019 #25
No, it has not. Since the institution of term limits on the state leg, the influence of RockRaven Oct 2019 #30
...Or screwup bigtime because he/she's not going to worry about re-election. TheCowsCameHome Oct 2019 #2
So under that plan would Pelosi still be here? (I know you mean well and it's something to consider) dameatball Oct 2019 #5
We have term limits StarfishSaver Oct 2019 #7
+ struggle4progress Oct 2019 #17
And no Elijah Cummings. Cracklin Charlie Oct 2019 #8
Elijah Cummings was great, no doubt.... but there are many great people out there. Goodheart Oct 2019 #9
What we need in a president is very different than what we need in a Member of Congress or Senator StarfishSaver Oct 2019 #11
It is not working all that well in Sacramento. "Term limits" for US Senators and Representatives... Hekate Oct 2019 #10
If you're not up for re-election why care about voters? tinrobot Oct 2019 #13
Term limits are the lazy persons way out of responsibility for their communities StarfishSaver Oct 2019 #14
Do YOU care about voters? Are YOU up for reelection? Goodheart Oct 2019 #20
If there are millions of dutiful people around, then elect some of them. tinrobot Oct 2019 #28
That's a big part of the problem Goodheart Oct 2019 #29
Term Limits - A really bad idea quaker bill Oct 2019 #15
What makes the Presidency any different? Goodheart Oct 2019 #18
A constitutional amendment quaker bill Oct 2019 #32
Very wrong, actually. BootinUp Oct 2019 #16
A little more research? Show me where we've ever tried term limits for Congress. Goodheart Oct 2019 #19
Yes, research: BootinUp Oct 2019 #22
That's not factual research. Those are OPINIONS, and he's entitled to them. Goodheart Oct 2019 #23
They reference studies even. I'm starting to think BootinUp Oct 2019 #24
Oh yeah? Where's the study where Congress was term-limited? I'm starting to think Goodheart Oct 2019 #26
You are welcome for the link to an article with both sides BootinUp Oct 2019 #27
This message was self-deleted by its author elocs Oct 2019 #21
It would be nice if Obama had run again in 2016 LakeArenal Oct 2019 #31
AND NO NANCY PELOSI a kennedy Oct 2019 #33

NightWatcher

(39,343 posts)
1. Or you'd get a revolving door of whores du jour.
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 07:41 PM
Oct 2019

And we'd miss years of service from people like Elijah Cummings


Pass.

mcar

(42,210 posts)
4. That's what happened in FL
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 07:52 PM
Oct 2019

when the state established term limits. They are all out for what they can get, quickly. See Rubio, Marco.

 

StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)
6. Thank you
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 08:03 PM
Oct 2019

No more Elijah Cummings, Ted Kennedys, John Lewises or Nancy Pelosis.

Plenty of Matt Gaetzes.

No, thank you.

RockRaven

(14,783 posts)
30. No, it has not. Since the institution of term limits on the state leg, the influence of
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 10:30 PM
Oct 2019

lobbyists has increased. The proportion of bills introduced and passed which are directly authored by lobbyists and special interests has increased. Terms limits have eliminated institutional knowledge and competence from the state legislature and relocated it -- to the extent that it exists -- to the lobbyists, who have much longer career life-spans than anyone else in Sacramento.

TheCowsCameHome

(40,163 posts)
2. ...Or screwup bigtime because he/she's not going to worry about re-election.
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 07:43 PM
Oct 2019

Double-edged sword, be careful what you wish for.

dameatball

(7,380 posts)
5. So under that plan would Pelosi still be here? (I know you mean well and it's something to consider)
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 08:00 PM
Oct 2019

When we look at someone like Mitch McConnell, yes term limits seem wise. On the other hand what happens when some idjit like Gaetz gets elected? Do we really want him in a seniority role at some point?

It's a question we all have wondered about. Probably best to leave it to the electorate, sometimes sad as that may be.

Goodheart

(5,264 posts)
9. Elijah Cummings was great, no doubt.... but there are many great people out there.
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 08:16 PM
Oct 2019

How do I know this? I can look at 12 people on the Democratic presidential debate stage... 11 of whom would be very capable of being our President.

 

StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)
11. What we need in a president is very different than what we need in a Member of Congress or Senator
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 08:32 PM
Oct 2019

But that said, we don't (or at least most of us don't) think that having we should pick our presidents based on how little experience they have in government. To the contrary, extensive experience in the legislature is one of the main reasons most of the candidates you reference are qualified for the presidency.

And, FYI, many of the candidates you look to as examples of people who would make good presidents would have been forced out of office some time ago if term limits were in place.

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
10. It is not working all that well in Sacramento. "Term limits" for US Senators and Representatives...
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 08:22 PM
Oct 2019

...exist as set forth in the US Constitution: it is up to US citizens in each state and district to impose them.

Let it alone.

 

StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)
14. Term limits are the lazy persons way out of responsibility for their communities
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 08:39 PM
Oct 2019

Begging someone to take away my vote because they can't be bothered making the effort required to cast their vote responsibly and participate in the civic process is the definition of copping out.

Goodheart

(5,264 posts)
20. Do YOU care about voters? Are YOU up for reelection?
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 09:34 PM
Oct 2019

Believe it or not there are millions of dutiful people around.

It is my belief that a short-term politician can do far less damage than an ingrained one who has built up a network of allegiances and favors.

tinrobot

(10,848 posts)
28. If there are millions of dutiful people around, then elect some of them.
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 10:11 PM
Oct 2019

And if they remain dutiful, why limit how long they can serve?

You're not making much sense.

Goodheart

(5,264 posts)
29. That's a big part of the problem
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 10:15 PM
Oct 2019

Those good people are very, very difficult to elect because the rules are stacked against them.

quaker bill

(8,223 posts)
15. Term Limits - A really bad idea
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 09:03 PM
Oct 2019

It was invented as a right wing talking point when they had been in the minority for 30+ years.

You end up with new people who may or may not have good ideas, but will have virtually no experience at crafting and passing legislation.

Finally the entire notion limits my right to vote for a good legislator as many times as I like. Why any progressive would advocate taking my right to vote for the candidate of my choosing away is a mystery to me.

If you have a bad rep, organize and vote them out.

quaker bill

(8,223 posts)
32. A constitutional amendment
Fri Oct 18, 2019, 09:41 PM
Oct 2019

that I did not vote for and do not agree with. I would be happy to see it repealed.

BootinUp

(46,924 posts)
16. Very wrong, actually.
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 09:08 PM
Oct 2019

All term limits do is take choices away. I suggest a little more research. Start by recognizing some of our long time representatives who are actually very good, and then picture a nut job or phony in their place. It’s the purveyors of false hopes, easy solutions with no pain that we should avoid. And plenty of that type have never held the office they are running for.

Goodheart

(5,264 posts)
19. A little more research? Show me where we've ever tried term limits for Congress.
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 09:31 PM
Oct 2019

Your argument is bit vacuous, sad to say. Sure, some of our long time representatives are very good but we pay a very heavy price for keeping them there (i.e. an interminable, inscrutable swamp) when there are literally millions of very good people available.

Goodheart

(5,264 posts)
23. That's not factual research. Those are OPINIONS, and he's entitled to them.
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 09:51 PM
Oct 2019

And there are many reasons for FAVORING term limits, and many people with those OPINIONS.

BootinUp

(46,924 posts)
24. They reference studies even. I'm starting to think
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 09:58 PM
Oct 2019

You are not very serious about expanding your knowledge in this area.

Goodheart

(5,264 posts)
26. Oh yeah? Where's the study where Congress was term-limited? I'm starting to think
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 10:03 PM
Oct 2019

you can't comprehend that there are attractive reasons pro and con. And that some can see the enormous damage caused by the cons.

BootinUp

(46,924 posts)
27. You are welcome for the link to an article with both sides
Thu Oct 17, 2019, 10:07 PM
Oct 2019

Of the debate, and free to come to your own conclusion.

Response to Goodheart (Original post)

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