Congressional Term Limits

[Nelson Walker]

DISCUSSION ON CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS AMENDMENT

Having made a few posts toward reviving a discussion on Congressional Term Limits, and receiving a few responses that do not serve to stimulate debate, I will now attempt to provide more meat to serve the appetites of the more venturesome of the post readers.

Most of the responses seem to dwell on objections, such as ‘the loss of voter’s right to choose’, and the ‘loss of truly worthy incumbents’. However, when I review the overall arguments, I find that the arguments in favor of term limits far outnumber those against. Let’s see if anyone can come up with additional reasons to add to the ‘against’ list below (or reasons ‘in favor’ as well).

IN FAVOR OF TERM LIMITS:

1. Builds ‘citizen’ Congress vs career politicians.

2. Breaks ties to special interests, lobbyists.

3. Destroys seniority/enhances meritocracy.

4. Improves timeliness of Congress’s thinking.

5. Eliminates power of ‘old bulls’ caucus.

6. Introduces fresh thinking, new ideas.

7. Improves tendency to vote on principle.

8. Reduces power of staff, bureaucracy.

9. Increases competition among candidates.



OPPOSED TO TERM LIMITS:

1. Eliminates the good along with the bad.

2. Reduces the freedom of voters to choose.

3. Increases the power of staff, bureaucracy.

[Star Stepper]

Great Point. What happend to our contract with America. The problem is that the political party in power is opposed to term limits and fiscal restraint.

Here is more reasons for Term Limits.

1. Reduces Campain money raising because the position is not as lucrative.

2. Helps prevent the country from being split and divisive because party loyalty is not as necessary.

3. More inclined to control the power of the other branches because favors from the white house, for example are not needed.

4. Less inclined to authorize war because the separation of power would increase

5. Saves money through reductions in pensions.

6. Less political recognition on the national level resulting in more interest in states politics.

[nelson Walker]

Guest-Star Stepper
Great Point. What happend to our contract with America. The problem is that the political party in power is opposed to term limits and fiscal restraint.
Here is more reasons for Term Limits.
1. Reduces Campain money raising because the position is not as lucrative.
2. Helps prevent the country from being split and divisive because party loyalty is not as necessary.
3. More inclined to control the power of the other branches because favors from the white house, for example are not needed.
4. Less inclined to authorize war because the separation of power would increase
5. Saves money through reductions in pensions.
6. Less political recognition on the national level resulting in more interest in states politics.

[/quote]

Hi, Star Stepper (or is it Stair Stepper?)
ANY party in power is against term limits! I'm suggesting that the amendment be worded so as to exclude it from applying to present members, so that we don't have to fight their objections.
The rest of your comments all have merit.
Nelson Walker