Term-Limits

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
12,348
1
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I think we need to look into limiting terms for everyone. Seems like the root of a lot of problems are the people who get entrenched in their positions in the House/Senate and can't be removed. There are enough qualified people that we don't need people to serve more than 12 years in either house of congress.

Under the current system, why would anyone make a term-limit promise?
 

umbrella39

Lifer
Jun 11, 2004
13,816
1,126
126
President: IMO there should be no limit on the amount of times you can be president. I do, however, feel that it should be limited to 2 conseq. terms at a time. If the country loves the person enough they will vote them back in, in 4 years.

Senate: Fine the way it is.

House: Fine the way it is.
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
I never want to see term limits for president go away. It prevents a president from making himself Ceasar.

I don't mind them for the senate, but mostly because I <3 Kennedy. I also wouldn't mind seeing Corzine spend another few decades in the senate (unless he runs for Governor, which would also be pretty cool).
 

ntdz

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
6,989
0
0
i like the presidental term limit, and i think the house should have a term limit while the senate should not.
 

Todd33

Diamond Member
Oct 16, 2003
7,842
2
81
For the Senate, I don't see how taking years to learn the ropes, get in the powerful comities and even become chair just to be thrown out by limits is helpful to ones state. If the guy or gal sucks the voters will get rid of them. The house should have limits, it's just a frat boy club and most voters don't know their representative anyhow.
 

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
12,348
1
81
Originally posted by: Todd33
For the Senate, I don't see how taking years to learn the ropes, get in the powerful comities and even become chair just to be thrown out by limits is helpful to ones state. If the guy or gal sucks the voters will get rid of them. The house should have limits, it's just a frat boy club and most voters don't know their representative anyhow.
It might not be helpful to one's state - it might be helpful for the nation as a whole. Plus, if no one was in more than 12 years, then all the committees would be replenished relatively rapidly, so it just couldn't take as long to get that position. Keeping the revolving door going might cut down on pork barrell problems as well.

I would be for having unlimited terms for congress if served non-consecutively, though I agree with Loki that the presidency should still be limited as-is.
 

gutharius

Golden Member
May 26, 2004
1,965
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I think there are to many career politicians. TERM LIMITS ALL THE WAY! And abolish the Electoral College!
 

gutharius

Golden Member
May 26, 2004
1,965
0
0
As a Side note: If no term limits, the ability to do a recall election on any elected official including the president.
 

Gravity

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2003
5,685
0
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Originally posted by: loki8481
I never want to see term limits for president go away. It prevents a president from making himself Ceasar.

I don't mind them for the senate, but mostly because I <3 Kennedy. I also wouldn't mind seeing Corzine spend another few decades in the senate (unless he runs for Governor, which would also be pretty cool).

:thumbsup:
 
Sep 29, 2004
18,656
68
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If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

on that note, I seriously think the house and congress need to be capped at 50% of a single party.
 

SNC

Platinum Member
Jan 14, 2001
2,166
202
106
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

on that note, I seriously think the house and congress need to be capped at 50% of a single party.

HUH?!
So who will get to pick the reps?

I think there should be a 5 year lease for POTUS with no limit on terms, just not back-to-back. And three 4 year tearms for the houses.
 

Thump553

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
12,839
2,625
136
An excellent idea prompted by the GOP a decade plus ago to seize power in Congress, and subsequently abandoned when their "term limit" would be up.

The present rules of awarding chairmanships and other powers based on seniority is absolutely wrong, counterproductive and needs to be dumped.
 

Shelly21

Diamond Member
May 28, 2002
4,111
1
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Originally posted by: loki8481
I never want to see term limits for president go away. It prevents a president from making himself Ceasar.

I don't mind them for the senate, but mostly because I <3 Kennedy. I also wouldn't mind seeing Corzine spend another few decades in the senate (unless he runs for Governor, which would also be pretty cool).

LOL, reminded me of that scene in Caligula where he declared himself a god.

I want to see the term limits go away for president. It was never in our constituion right? and was only put in place in retaliation for FDR's unprecedented 4 terms. I think Raegan would've won another term and he did express interest in removing the term limits IIRC. Clinton would've beat W like a drum too.

As for house &amp; senate, they are the evil ones (ha ha). and should be limited to 3 6-years terms.

So I guess I'm pro-caesar.
 

Spencer278

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 2002
3,637
0
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I would put a 20 year combined limit on all fedral jobs that are either appoponited or electeded.
 

DashRiprock

Member
Aug 31, 2001
166
0
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How about term limits for federal &amp; Supreme Court judges while you're at it? What's this "for life" biz?
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: DashRiprock
How about term limits for federal &amp; Supreme Court judges while you're at it? What's this "for life" biz?
If the confirmation process wasn't so drawn out I would like to see term limits there too.

 

csf

Banned
Aug 5, 2001
319
0
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Originally posted by: Luck JF
I'd like to see not only term limits but elections for Supreme Court Judges.

But the whole point of the judiciary is that since its members are not appointed, they will not be affected by public pressures in the form of constituency loyalty or fear of getting elected. That's supposed to provide a check on Congress and the executive and ensure that the justices uphold the principles of the law rather than what is convenient.
 

KB

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 1999
5,406
389
126
We shouldn't have term limits. Elected officials should always have to worry about having to be re-elected, which keeps them on good behavior. If they know that can't be re-elected they will do questionable deeds to help their "buddies". This is why we must rarely if ever re-elect a president.
 

3chordcharlie

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2004
9,859
1
81
Originally posted by: KB
We shouldn't have term limits. Elected officials should always have to worry about having to be re-elected, which keeps them on good behavior. If they know that can't be re-elected they will do questionable deeds to help their "buddies". This is why we must rarely if ever re-elect a president.

But the opposite argument comes into play as well - a president unconcerned about re-election is free to, well, not focus their entire strategy on getting re-elected.

Term limits aren't a perfect solution, but think how long you would have had Clinton for if not for term limits; they definitely go a long way to preventing dynasties from taking root.
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
It's insane that Strom Thurmonds and Ted Kennedy's exist like Kings of an Empire.

These Empires spread throughout the system making a mockery out of the whole Country. It is the reason why we are in the mess we are now and going down the road of the Roman Empire.
 

kaizersose

Golden Member
May 15, 2003
1,196
0
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four years across the board, no matter what office at what level. no one would be worrying about re-election or who's back they should scratch next