George Washington’s Most Important Legacy of Leadership — Relinquishing Power

2020-02-16T11:19:27-05:00

“Friends and Citizens: The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant…it appears to me proper…that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.”
- President George Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796

In a single statement, George Washington, a student of the enlightenment and conscious of his place in history, set one of the most important precedents for our then nascent democratic Republic. He relinquished power.

Our founders were deeply concerned with monarchic political systems and the concept of absolute power and sovereignty residing in the monarch. So, they set out to create a nation in which sovereignty resides in the people. And the people self-determine who would govern them.

But it was George Washington — through his actions — who perfected this concept of self-determination.

George Washington could have continued to run for office and likely would have been re-elected to the Presidency (or any other office) for as long as he wanted and his life could bear (Washington died in December 1799). But he didn’t. This is because he knew that for the nation to evolve and thrive for generations into the future; leaders would have to relinquish power.

It’s a powerful concept — unobserved today.

Looking at some of the leading candidates running for President of the United States, one thing jumps out — they have been in power for a long time.

Let’s take two examples.

Bernie Sanders entered politics as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont in 1981. He served in that role through 1989. Then became a Member of the US House of Representatives in 1989 and served in that capacity until 2007. In 2007, he became a US Senator where he remains. In other words, he held formal positions of political power for going on 39 years!?!

How about Joe Biden? After briefly serving on the New Castle County Council (1970-1972), he was elected as a US Senator. Biden served as a Senator from 1972-2009. In 2009, he resigned from the Senate and was sworn in as Vice President of the United States, serving in that capacity for two-terms through 2017.

Including his town council time, that is 47 years, folks!? One has to wonder what George Washington and his contemporaries would have thought of this.

It is true that sovereignty resided in the people over the period of these gentlemens’ service — the people elected them. But I want to focus in on their concept of leadership — political leadership.

These men clearly chose not to follow George Washington’s precedent of relinquishing power. A precedent that was not only about peacefully leaving office, but also about leaving the political scene.

So, one wonders what impact would the “Washington Precedent” have on our country if followed in our politics today.

Well, certainly new blood and new ideas would enter our governing bodies — particularly Congress. And no doubt the “Washington Precedent” would mean we’d have more people with knowledge about our Federal government returning to private society — perhaps bridging that seeming gap between Washington and the rest of society. But I don’t think these are the most important outcomes of applying the “Washington Precedent” today.

The most important impact of the “Washington Precedent” — one known well to us Veterans — is that of re-establishing trust in the system.

In the military, we would relinquish power — constantly. How many change of command ceremonies did you participate in? What change of command brings to the military system is change in the dynamic between those who lead and those who are led.

It creates an opening for a new dynamic to be established and for new issues to be tackled. It also allows those being led to be part of establishing this new system. A system that is not led by a singular personality (can you imagine a Battalion Commander for 47 years!?!), but instead one that is renewed and guided by norms and practices — informed those who are led.

In other words, a system led by a singular personality (or just a few personalities) crowds out the ability of the system itself to work.

Our system. Our Constitution. Our institutions. All have to be bigger than any personality.

But what George Washington also shows us is that it takes the personalities in the system to recognize this — and relinquish power.

So, on this Presidents Day, perhaps a call should go out for the “Washington Precedent” to return to our politics — so our democratic system can thrive for generations to come.

Just as George Washington envisioned all the way back in 1796.

Alex Gallo is a Contributor to RallyPoint and a Veteran.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 16 at 2020 11:24 AM

2020-02-16T11:24:17-05:00

Excellent share sir, thank you

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Feb 16 at 2020 11:25 AM

2020-02-16T11:25:00-05:00

Thanks for sharing.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Feb 16 at 2020 11:26 AM

2020-02-16T11:26:32-05:00

As I understand it, the Founders didn’t envision government being a lifetime career, but a temporary service and back home. A few self limit themselves, but a career move for most. We are responsible for what they do.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Feb 16 at 2020 11:52 AM

2020-02-16T11:52:30-05:00

Extrapolating a "transition of power" norm of Executive Branch leadership to cover anyone serving in government, even if they aren't in a position of power, is nothing more than a term limits argument. Why did you choose to apply that to the Presidential campaign? Seems like your underlying intent is to rule out two leading contenders. That seems rather odd.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Feb 16 at 2020 12:38 PM

2020-02-16T12:38:50-05:00

I note that Washington’s years as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Continental Congresses (1758-1776) got skipped over...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2020 4:05 PM

2020-02-16T16:05:55-05:00

Great article. Thanks for sharing.
I agree 100%; there needs to be term limit on those who serve in Congress.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 16 at 2020 7:27 PM

2020-02-16T19:27:17-05:00

He is accomplished in so many ways. He is considered one of the finest revolutionaries in world history. He was also a surveyor and it gave him the opportunity to learn the land and probably the people as well.

Response by SGT Pappa Russ Scarvelli made Feb 17 at 2020 3:42 PM

2020-02-17T15:42:32-05:00

That was WELL put. I think the electorate should only be permitted for only two (2) terms and move on. I also don't believe the Taxpayers should continue to pay them once they finish their terms.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Feb 17 at 2020 5:23 PM

2020-02-17T17:23:49-05:00

I could not but help noticing this article only mentions Democrats. I believe we have a number of Republicans that have been "in power" for a considerable amount of time also.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Feb 17 at 2020 5:26 PM

2020-02-17T17:26:32-05:00

"they have been in power for a long time. "
Yes, they have. At the choice of the people! Is that not how our system was designed?

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2020 8:13 PM

2020-02-17T20:13:32-05:00

Term limits.

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made Feb 18 at 2020 7:27 AM

2020-02-18T07:27:29-05:00

Yes, command does turn over quite a bit in the military, by design. Of those Change of Command ceremonies you participated in, how many of the departing commanders were departing to take command of a larger organization? They were not all heading back to their farm. I don't believe Battalion level command and the office of President of the United States are exactly analogous.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2020 9:31 AM

2020-02-18T09:31:47-05:00

Some can do it, some can’t...

Response by SSG Dale London made Feb 18 at 2020 1:25 PM

2020-02-18T13:25:53-05:00

I could not agree more. The original idea behind our system of government was that it was a person's responsibility to, from time to time, take an active role in it's operation -- not to make it one's life's work!
We need term limits on all elected officials. Representatives should be limited to four terms, and Senators to two. I also believe you should be disqualified from federal elected office if you have, in the course of your career held more than three elected offices at any level and no more than two at federal level. That would mean we get people with some experience of politics but, by the time they're getting good at graft and corruption they're no longer elligible to serve in that capacity. (I'm flexible with the term limits -- I'd be happy to make them even more stringent!)
Considering the level of corruption already in the swamp, though, this has about zero chance of happening.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2020 6:21 AM

2020-02-19T06:21:52-05:00

No party bias here.
Patrick Leahy D 45 yrs
Chuck Grassley R 45 yrs
Richard Shelby D-R 41 yrs

MOC will never likely vote for term limits. Citizens will likely continue to vote strictly on party lines, so there will be no citizen driven term limits.

Response by SPC Richard Zacke made Feb 19 at 2020 9:07 PM

2020-02-19T21:07:38-05:00

CPT Alex Gallo It's a damn shame these selfish politicans of today don't have resonable term limits. I remember seeing Strum Thurman sound asleep during a critical vote..."Many times"!! It's just embarrasing...Robert Byrd sleeping probley because he was up all night around the CAMPFIRE.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 20 at 2020 7:57 AM

2020-02-20T07:57:15-05:00

So Bernie staryed as a mayor. Proved himself. Moved up to Congress. Proved himself. Moved up to Senate. Proved himself. Now trying to move up to President.

That doesn't sound like a problem, it sounds like a solution. Specifically it is a solution to the current situation with a President who got the job, thinking it would be easy (remember the "it's a lot harder than I thought" moment?), not actually knowing anything about governing or government, and being continually out of his depth on the international stage.

I am *not* a fan of Bernie. I *am* a strongly Conservative independent (I vote R far more than anything else). There are few current Fem candidates I could get behind, and neither are the two you mentioned. This is not a support of Bernie in any way. Just a look at the argument you have presented.

Much as a LT runs a PLT then moves up to Company, then BN, and so on... Provided they keep proving themselves, Bernie's career seems to be on the same path, albeit spending a bit more time at each stop.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2020 1:55 AM

2020-02-21T01:55:34-05:00

Let's hope we don't turn anything over to the socialists / communists.

Response by SFC David Dean made Feb 21 at 2020 4:03 PM

2020-02-21T16:03:18-05:00

Compare and contrast this point as well. We have restricted a person to two terms as President after FDR (4 terms). We need to ask why the same parameters should not be in place for the House and Senate. In a large sense this where entrenched thought and power tends to reside, coupled with a sense of entitlement pervading the ranks of both house and parties. Our forefathers never intended for these public servant jobs to be careers much less the privileges members cultivate for themselves.

Response by SGT Earl L. made Feb 22 at 2020 1:07 PM

2020-02-22T13:07:27-05:00

This was a great read that had me thinking about why we as a county vote the way we do and keep people in a post so long.

Response by SSG(P) Danielle Birtha made Feb 22 at 2020 4:05 PM

2020-02-22T16:05:14-05:00

Democratic? We elected Trump by a majority vote of this Republic, and the Dems say we can't have him... HE MUST BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE... we must have the criminals as President... Traitor Hillary... Rapist Bill... National Socialist Sanders... Felonious Biden... Liar Warran... and...

We The People of the United States said "$#@% NO!!!!" to being part of the World Trade Organization, composed of the Imperial Dictators of the World... they said "Too %$#@ Bad... We The Dictators are in charge, not YOU the ignorant"

We The People of the United States said "$#@% NO!!!" to Trading our Prosperity to Britain, Japan, Russia, China, and the swarms of Illegal, Undocumented, Alien, Criminal INVADERS... in exchange for MASS POVERTY, and Foreign $$$$$ in their SuperPAC Re-elect the traitor funds....
they said... "IT WILL BE GOOD FOR YOU!!! ACCEPT YOUR ENSLAVEMENT!"

We The People of the United States said "$#@% NO!!!" to Sanctuary from the Law for Invaders, when no U.S. Citizen, from the POTUS, to the poorest Bum in the streets has sanctuary from the least of U.S. Laws...
Article Four, Section 4: "The United States SHALL GUARANTEE to EVERY STATE in this Union a REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT, and SHALL PROTECT EACH of them AGAINST INVASION; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE." ...
--> except for democratic traitors and felons... and they say... "$#@% your damn Constitution... WE WILL DO AS WE PLEASE... AND HOPE YOU THE PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT" as they break every part of OUR LAW, that they SWEAR to Protect and Defend... TO GIVE AID AND COMFORT TO EVERY ENEMY IN OUR HISTORY ... BY ILLEGAL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL, TREASONOUS LAWS >(

Yes... as they shouted over and over during the Impeachment, and Trial... "CHINA IS OUR ENEMY!" ... "RUSSIA IS OUR ENEMY!" ... "NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!"...
--> "LOOK AT TRUMP! TRUMP DID IT!!! HE IS GUILTY OF NOTHING!!! WE ARE GUILTY OF TREASON!!! DON'T LOOK AT US!!!"... "LOOK AT TRUMP!!"
--> No one is above the Law... especially not those using their legislative powers to legislate AID FOR OUR ENEMIES >(

China is our ENEMY???
Then... WHY is it that so much of what was Quality Made in the U.S.A. products... IS NOW MADE IN CHINA... and we the people have to PAY EXTRA to get our own products from China... OUR ENEMY???
I was a structural designer for Boeing after the Military... China finishes the Interior of AIR FORCE ONE!!!... while U.S. Citizens flounder in Poverty...

The KC-767 tanker has problems --> BECAUSE THINGS WERE OUTSOURCED TO NATIONS DEFINED AS PAST OR PRESENT ENEMIES!!! I was lead Design on the Tanker Center Box, which holds the wings to the body... fired, for questioning the legality of a Soviet Engineer taking over my job ... and the #1 most critical piece of equipment that keeps the Air Force in the Air.. IS GROUNDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE... because MISSION CRITICAL PARTS were designed and built BY ENEMIES OF U.S. >(

--> GIVE THAT SOME THOUGHT... WE THE PEOPLE OF THE FREE AND INDEPENDENT UNITED STATES ... MUST now DEPEND on our enemies... for our products... EVEN OUR MILITARY PRODUCTS CRITICAL FOR THE DEFENSE OF OUR FREEDOM... as our traitorous public SERVANTS now sell lands next to our Metropolitan Cities, to China, to build giant methane production plants (BOMBS IF THE RIGHT VALVE IS OPENED), using their slaves, guarded by Chinese soldiers, with the Flag of China raised over OUR LANDS... NOW THEIR LANDS... IN OUR NATION... BY LAW????????

Who is doing this? OUR LEADERS... WHO HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE FOR DECADES!!!!
How? YOU THE PEOPLE ARE VOTING TO RE-ELECT THEM, while their Approval Rating is, and has been, LESS THAN 15% for two decades????!!!
READ the Constitution and Amendments... this is OUR Country... they are elected to serve U.S. by managing this Nation for U.S. ... AND NO OTHERS >(
Not to Give, Trade, or Sell U.S. TO THE HIGHEST BIDDERS!!!!
They have all BROKEN their SWORN Allegiance to U.S., and should all be in jail awaiting punishment for High Treason... Hanging by the Neck until Dead. (yes it is - U.S. Treason Law - google it)

Go ahead... re-elect them again... but...
Do NOT complain that we don't have nice things anymore, while Communism and Oppression BY LAW is taking over our Nation...
--> BECAUSE YOU VOTED FOR IT.
--> OPEN YOUR EYES... OR ACCEPT YOUR OPPRESSION QUIETLY!

Sanders stands for National Socialism... the origin of the word Nazi... Fact: Socialism is NOT social, or Democratic... it's Dictatorial Oppression... not a good thing... and his Affordable Care Act... is nothing less than a Legislated Ponzi Scheme. Yes, it is... we pay for access to a Doctor... the Insurance Agents decide if we get care, and if so... we have to pay for it... unless we are rich, and all is free... except to the poor who pay for everything... yeah... just like the United Soviet Socialist Republic... no... we do NOT want to be like them.

Biden... they just tried to Impeach Trump for doing WHAT BIDEN DID DO!!!... The difference...
Biden did it to evade decades of prison time... for him and his son.
Trump... yeah, quid pro quo... as commanded by the Treaty... NOT for personal gain...

--> Support for the Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy, and Economic Stability (S.S.I.D.E.S.) of Ukraine Act of 2014 (Barrack Obama)...
... Among other things addressed to the Secretary of State, and the President...
"(Sec. 9) AUTHORIZES AND ENCOURAGES THE PRESIDENT to IMPOSE ASSET BLOCKING and U.S. exclusion sanctions against:
--> (1) ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL of the RUSSIAN FEDERATION, or a close associate or family member of such an official, who is RESPONSIBLE FOR OR COMPLICIT in directing ACTS OF SIGNIFICANT CORRUPTION in the Russian Federation, including the EXPROPRIATION OF PRIVATE OR PUBLIC ASSETS for PERSONAL GAIN, CORRUPTION related to GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS or the EXTRACTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, BRIBERY, or the facilitation or transfer of the PROCEEDS OF CORRUPTION to foreign jurisdictions;
--> and (2) ANY INDIVIDUAL who has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for such acts." <-- THAT INCLUDES BIDEN AND COMPANY >(

--> "... AUTHORIZES AND ENCOURAGES THE PRESIDENT TO IMPOSE ASSET BLOCKING..." <--

Meet the requirements of the Treaty, or Aid will be held until the requirements are satisfied...
THE REQUIREMENTS? NO Corruption, or NO AID! (quid pro quo)
TRUMP was doing his job, as demanded by Law... Biden (the Corrupt Felon)... was evading the Law.
Also... Zelensky had JUST been elected... the Treaty AUTOMATICALLY went on hold, until the new leader agreed to sign the LOAN Contract, called a Treaty between Nations... or until the end of the Fiscal Year. If not signed when the Treaty expires, a new Treaty must be initiated.

IF... IF Trump has released the Aid to Ukraine BEFORE that was signed (it was, on September 11, 2019, at Trump Tower, because Pelosi wouldn't allow it to happen at the White House on Sep 25), then Trump WOULD BE IN FEDERAL PRISON, RIGHT NOW, FOR GIVING AWAY U.S. TAX FUNDS, WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION!!!! CAPITAL CRIME - CLASS A FELONY - LIFETIME IN PRISON.
Thank you, Mr. President, for not falling into that TRAP.

Not an attack on you Cpt Gallo... an attack on the ignorance that keeps re-electing those who are harming this Nation :)
and never forget... do NOT follow any orders that break the Law... ESPECIALLY if it's one of our geriatric traitor Congress giving the order... THEY ... ARE ALSO NOT ABOVE THE LAW.
If Trump orders you to arrest the traitors... that command you may follow... no matter what Pelosi, Shiff, or Nadler has to say about it... their attempt to overthrow the President and our Law, at the same time, is High Treason. :)

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 23 at 2020 11:20 PM

2020-02-23T23:20:08-05:00

Washington, the man who could have been king and wanted no part of it. Now comes Donald Trump who will serve just eight years and is reviled above all others. Who are these people who claim to want term limits?

Response by MSG Roy Cheever made Feb 24 at 2020 3:15 PM

2020-02-24T15:15:13-05:00

There has always been, in the history of our republic, those who have sought power. As opposed to those who wished only to serve others (which is suppose to be the job of Congressman/women and Senators as we as the Executive, Commander in Chief, head of all laws and representative of every American.
It is we who have to be smart enough to see past propaganda and recognize the platforms of any party or person, to decide what we think is right for all of America. So that this, the greatest form of government ever in world history, can sustain.
Educate yourselves about our true history, our Declaration of Independence, Constitution with amendments and see if the person who wants your vote is willing to stand-up to defend and further those ideals and principles of those documents. All else is just a grab for selfish power. Forget the parties and vote for those who are Just and right. God Bless America!

Response by PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM made Feb 27 at 2020 11:11 AM

2020-02-27T11:11:43-05:00

It has been said in the past by someone much smarter than I, so I only repeat a Wiser person.
"Congress and Diapers need to be changed regularly and both for the same reason!"

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2020 7:04 PM

2020-02-27T19:04:39-05:00

George Washington and our Founding fathers were geniuses but if they could see our Country now they would be very troubled.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 28 at 2020 1:15 PM

2020-02-28T13:15:44-05:00

Except, Trump is authorized the possibility of another term if the people decide that, and Washington wasn't a commie. Sanders and his ilk are either commies or incompetent.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Feb 29 at 2020 9:35 PM

2020-02-29T21:35:32-05:00

No socialist no communist

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Mar 1 at 2020 12:33 AM

2020-03-01T00:33:27-05:00

Extremely Powerful & Informative Share CPT Alex Gallo!
Infantry Leads the Way!

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Mar 1 at 2020 10:03 PM

2020-03-01T22:03:58-05:00

There were some who would have made Washington "President for Life" or King, but they had just liberated themselves from a monarchy, and Washington wasn't having anything to do with such regression.

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Mar 1 at 2020 11:12 PM

2020-03-01T23:12:20-05:00

To be clear, he relinquished the presidency and we have now enshrined term limits into Constitutional law. If we are going to complain about House and Senate members sitting in their seats forever then we have to look a lot further afield that Biden and Sanders.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Mar 2 at 2020 12:20 AM

2020-03-02T00:20:21-05:00

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are two perfect examples of why the Democratic Party should open up the run for the Presidency to the common voter that qualifies that declares they are a Democrat and not continue to insist that unless you hold some sort of elective office your not qualified to run. Republican Party needs to do the same if it already has not done so. Also would say that allowing a Socialist to run as a Democrat never should have happened nor should we have a Candidate that switches his party afilliation from Democrat to Republican right before they runs for office be allowed (Trumps case). A specific period of time should elapse after switching parties before you can run again for political office to avoid political opportunism. Just a few reforms I would put in place on folks that run for the Presidency.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Mar 2 at 2020 10:01 AM

2020-03-02T10:01:40-05:00

We are not a democratic system we are however a Constitutional Republic. JMT

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Mar 2 at 2020 12:08 PM

2020-03-02T12:08:16-05:00

None of the parties are exempt from home steading a life time paycheck and job. Several thing could and should be fixed however I do not see that happening anytime in the near future.
I see a mention of CONSTITUTION of STATES I see this as a bad Idea because the whole Constitution can be rewritten or removed in the blink of an eye. In order to get term limits, and reasonable pay, vacation, on and on would take HONOR and frankly I do not see much of that in the House and Senate these days.

I also see a lot of changes of rules to make the people who serve in those positions more powerful I for one do not believe in Executive Orders except under extreme circumstances.
I do not agree with House and the Senate voting on their pay raises this should be ballot voted.

The Honor of the positions these people hold went down the same rabbit hole as the people that vote or don't vote them in IMHO. The checks and balances are slowly disappearing along with our freedoms because the politicians Vote along party lines not what the people want that is something else that should change is a two party only system, some will say other parties can run however if you research it opening a new party means you have to meet certain standards that have been sanctioned by the two parties which makes it near impossible to get ballot status for a new party.
Now let me say that getting term limits is a great place to start however lets be realistic would you vote you out of a career position? I think not.

The Politian's are now no longer ethical or honorable (no mater what party) and do not have the interest of the people in mind. (My Opinion)
One last thought why do we have a Secretary Of Education in the Federal Government? Near as I can see all that has been accomplished with that is indoctrination of our Children and the removal of history, civics, life skills, including welding, woodshop, Mechanical skills just to name a few.
I could go on forever but I will spare you all. Let us just start with term limits by voting folk out who have been there to long and work up to another goal.
Thanks for reading.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Mar 3 at 2020 7:33 PM

2020-03-03T19:33:22-05:00

There are two types of people in government (arguably in the Army as well): those who fight against the bureaucracy and those who fight for the bureaucracy.

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Mar 5 at 2020 12:23 AM

2020-03-05T00:23:37-05:00

Well done, sir and amen.

Response by SMSgt Billy Cesarano made Mar 9 at 2020 10:32 AM

2020-03-09T10:32:08-04:00

An astute historical observation. Further understanding of that time will reveal the forces we confront today have always been there. What has changed is the tactics and willingness to wait for change back to the aristocracy we fought against. It has slowly taken away our rights, freedoms and liberties that this country was founded under. The final act is to remove our voting rights by demonstrating how our system is flawed and must be changed to be fair. We are no longer just Americans. We must be hyphenated and divided by class, sex, age, creed, color and then further divide among those divisions. Where America was founded on individual independence it is now defined by government dependence. The vote itself has seen many changes as well from it's inception in America. The original intent to protect the sanctity of voting was to restrict voting rights to those who owned property and therefore had a stake at risk in the country. Today, a majority is growing that that only take form government and produce nothing to support it. Once this threshold is crossed, and it is close, freedom and liberty will be forever lost without exercising the remedy to reconstitute as described in the constitution and federalist papers.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 7:24 PM

2020-03-17T19:24:23-04:00

Great post and great information. I have always wondered why our government have term limits for some of our political society but not for all. Our Presidents have term limits and so do our Governors and Mayors. But what about our Congress and especially our Supreme Court Justice. I understand continuity is great but to what costs. Can you imagine if we had a younger group of politicians in Congress instead of the Old Breed of politicians? One can only imagine. This is my professional opinion only.

Response by 1SG Dave Carello made Mar 20 at 2020 9:43 AM

2020-03-20T09:43:38-04:00

Great article. And, it is for the reasons you set forth in this article that DEMAND that Political term limits are instituted. Too many of these "Sacred Cows" have lingered in the House and Senate holding on to power like GRIM DEATH! So much so, that it defines their character. Too many of these career politicians are, or were, lawyers. Why? Because that trade is a morass of competing piranhas. Much Easier to run for Office ad infinitum and get the eternal benefits as well.

Response by Cpl Eric Day made Apr 12 at 2020 1:54 PM

2020-04-12T13:54:28-04:00

these two look like like general washingtons asshole step children

Response by SFC Bob DeVries made Apr 27 at 2020 12:00 PM

2020-04-27T12:00:32-04:00

Most of the career politicians stay in their own little world. Most of them have no idea what their constituents need or want. All they care about are their own needs power and money.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made May 18 at 2020 7:33 AM

2020-05-18T07:33:59-04:00

President Washington demonstrated through out his service and life a steady form of leadership which later was made into a simple but moral and ethical truth by McAuther; Duty, Honor, Country.

Response by Sgt Dan Catlin made May 18 at 2020 1:24 PM

2020-05-18T13:24:24-04:00

I absolutely support term limits for congress. Furthermore, they should get a relatively small (to what they make now) stipend when in office. No federal retirement plan (after only one term as it now sands). And the state they are from should pay ALL expenses, right down to paper clips, office space, franking (mail) privilages, and aids. We'd see a lot less waste while they were there.

Response by CPT Ronald Scherick made May 23 at 2020 10:34 AM

2020-05-23T10:34:27-04:00

Very good point. These life time politicians do not do what is right for the country but what will get them to hold on to power. With the rise of socialism in this country we are close to losing our freedom and rather than stand up to our principals and values the two gentleman in the photo want to turn us so far left we will never recover. I for one do not want to give up my second amendment or my healthcare.

Response by MSgt Rex Miller made Jun 24 at 2020 12:26 AM

2020-06-24T00:26:05-04:00

It is True both Sanders and Biden have been in Washington D.C. much longer than they should have been. But with Trump as the only alternative we do not have much of a choice. At least they are qualified. Trump is consumed with what is best for him only. And he is dangerous.

Response by PO2 David Clark made Jul 21 at 2020 12:13 PM

2020-07-21T12:13:16-04:00

When King George was informed GW was stepping down from his military rank and POTUS said "if he does he will be the greatest man alive"

Response by Capt Michael Tomasic made Aug 15 at 2020 4:48 PM

2020-08-15T16:48:20-04:00

I would like to see limitations on terms in office extend to Congress. However, the military is hardly the example for the relinquishment of power. Most generals, admirals and senior warrant officers and senior sergeants served at least 30 years, and some even more. And for the better part of these years, they have been in command or supervisory positions. Unfortunately, most elected offices remain in control of a sitting candidate, in part, based upon that person's ability to control and pass legislation, which arguably improves with the passage of time and experience. However, I too agree that not only is new blood needed, the kingdoms created within Congress need to be eradicated. And that is for me the best argument to set some reasonable limits on positions of power.

Response by MSgt Allen Chandler made Aug 15 at 2020 7:51 PM

2020-08-15T19:51:33-04:00

I think you make many valid points-one would be in favor of a constitutional amendment to limit the amount of time per person could serve in the Senate the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court. If you allow the person to serve 4 terms in the house In three terms in the senate, give me roommate 2/3 of the current members from running again. That would still allow those few people who are great Leaders 20 years. This cream court could easily beset to a maximum of 25 years. That would allow anyone over 50 when they were appointed to serve out define working lifetime.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 16 at 2020 5:48 PM

2020-08-16T17:48:06-04:00

I would say leading a successful revolution is the most important. He is considered by many military historians as the finest revolutionary.