General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis 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.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)And we'd miss years of service from people like Elijah Cummings
Pass.
JCMach1
(27,544 posts)ALEC and special interests like them write the laws...
mcar
(42,210 posts)when the state established term limits. They are all out for what they can get, quickly. See Rubio, Marco.
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)No more Elijah Cummings, Ted Kennedys, John Lewises or Nancy Pelosis.
Plenty of Matt Gaetzes.
No, thank you.
Goodheart
(5,264 posts)demosincebirth
(12,518 posts)RockRaven
(14,783 posts)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)Double-edged sword, be careful what you wish for.
dameatball
(7,380 posts)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.
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)It's more popularly known as voting.
struggle4progress
(118,039 posts)Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)I think Ill continue to support letting the voters decide their representation.
Goodheart
(5,264 posts)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)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)...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.
tinrobot
(10,848 posts)StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)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)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)And if they remain dutiful, why limit how long they can serve?
You're not making much sense.
Goodheart
(5,264 posts)Those good people are very, very difficult to elect because the rules are stacked against them.
quaker bill
(8,223 posts)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.
Goodheart
(5,264 posts)quaker bill
(8,223 posts)that I did not vote for and do not agree with. I would be happy to see it repealed.
BootinUp
(46,924 posts)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. Its 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)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.
BootinUp
(46,924 posts)Maybe start here but dont stop here if its a subject you are interested in: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2018/01/18/five-reasons-to-oppose-congressional-term-limits/amp/
Goodheart
(5,264 posts)And there are many reasons for FAVORING term limits, and many people with those OPINIONS.
BootinUp
(46,924 posts)You are not very serious about expanding your knowledge in this area.
Goodheart
(5,264 posts)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)Of the debate, and free to come to your own conclusion.
Response to Goodheart (Original post)
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