Would term limits reduce the current rancor in Congress?

2017-04-04T00:57:12-04:00

Elected officials, in their quest for re-election do not always do what is right for the Nation! The battle for SCOTUS nominee Gorsuch seems to be about re-election rather than for the US!

Response by SFC George Smith made Apr 4 at 2017 1:04 AM

2017-04-04T01:04:32-04:00

It wold slow the Career Criminals down and at least get rid of them a lot faster...

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 4 at 2017 1:41 AM

2017-04-04T01:41:32-04:00

SFC George Smith Xactly, my point!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2017 2:19 AM

2017-04-04T02:19:14-04:00

CSM Charles Hayden Term limits would help, because if you are not worried about party politics, you might actually focus on doing the right thing for our country.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2017 5:55 AM

2017-04-04T05:55:49-04:00

Sadly in today's world (actually any time period) no one is going to vote their job away. While principaled in most areas, our founding fathers just never anticipated career politicians... or maybe they too wanted a piece of the pie.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Apr 4 at 2017 7:26 AM

2017-04-04T07:26:37-04:00

That would help. I'd also like to see campaign finance reform and the elimination of gerrymandering.

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Apr 4 at 2017 7:32 AM

2017-04-04T07:32:28-04:00

I believe term limits would absolutely reduce the garbage that has be come our Congress. Our founding fathers had this idea of a citizen who represent the interests of their neighbors for a short time and then would go back to their community and job. Being a politician has become a lucrative profession. Why would people give that up? The other problem is the uneducated voter keeps sending the same worthless people back to congress.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Apr 4 at 2017 7:44 AM

2017-04-04T07:44:03-04:00

Term limits may help but only because voters would have to look at new faces. It is just so strange that voters continue to elect people who do not support constituents so only rationale reason is that they are voting for a familiar face. In that sense limits may stop the rise of career politicians who are more beholding to Party and PACs than their voters.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2017 8:41 AM

2017-04-04T08:41:22-04:00

I am not sure about it changing the politics, but it would at least get the trash that has made this a career out. Once some of these politicians get into office it becomes more about them than doing what is right by those that voted them in.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2017 9:12 AM

2017-04-04T09:12:17-04:00

Of course. Back in 1988, I got the chance to meet Lee Atwater, the then Chairman of the RNC. He told our group (this was a Poli Sci field trip) that when the best well-meaning Congressperson goes to Washington D.C., their good will lasts about a year. That's when they discover or are introduced to the financial incentives for selling their influence to the highest bidder, "gifts" of thousands of dollars if they will "consider" this bill or that bill, etc. After a Congressperson's first term, s/he is totally corrupted.

This is why term limits would help keep representatives somewhat honest. Having to go back home and face the people you were representing would likely motivate representatives to want that homecoming to be a good one, and not one where they want to beat the tar outta him/her. That was indeed the Founding Fathers' intentions. George Washington led the Continental Army against the British, and was offered a kingship for his efforts, which he turned down (because that's what they just fought a war over to get rid of) and then went home to his farm. That is what public service was meant to be.

However, this is a pipe dream, because all laws must begin and be approved by Congress. The current crop of Congresspeople will NEVER EVER vote themselves out of office. Only a 100% "Do-Over" for our government, with term limits, will do any real good. But that is a near impossibility too. So we just talk about it on the Internet and wish about what "could be..."

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 4 at 2017 9:26 AM

2017-04-04T09:26:41-04:00

At least congressmen aren't beating each other over the head with canes.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2017 9:51 AM

2017-04-04T09:51:54-04:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again.....if term limits is good enough for the goose, then term limits is good enough for the gander.

Response by MSG Mark Million made Apr 4 at 2017 9:54 AM

2017-04-04T09:54:20-04:00

It is a sad state of affairs when most leaders have their personal interests in mind more consistently than those of the constituents whom they represent.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2017 10:45 AM

2017-04-04T10:45:53-04:00

Yes and when people, not politicians, are fed facts, they tend to make informed decisions.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2017 11:05 AM

2017-04-04T11:05:34-04:00

I'd like to see it. I think it would be a good thing. Unfortunately I don't think it will ever happen because I don't see Congress creating a law to limit themselves.

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made Apr 4 at 2017 12:49 PM

2017-04-04T12:49:32-04:00

Repeal the 17th Amendment and return the selection of Senators to the State Legislature as it was intended by the founders. That is what started this and it is the Main cause. The house was the will of the PEOPLE and is ever-changing, hence the 2 year term. The Senate is the will of the STATES and should be more stalwart, hence the 6 year term. The 17th amendment removed the will of the states and also removed the purpose behind the senate!

Response by COL John McClellan made Apr 4 at 2017 12:54 PM

2017-04-04T12:54:30-04:00

Maybe, but I'm not as convinced as some that it's any kind of "silver bullet" that eliminates "party politics," and I agree with many on this thread that eliminating gerrymandering and implementing some common-sense campaign finance reform are equally, if not more important. Here's an example of the effect we want in my mind -- more diversity in terms of who goes to Congress: more Veterans, more scientists, more people of average means; fewer lawyers, fewer millionaires... not sure term limits gets you that, necessarily. You also want some legislative expertise and experience on-hand - so the question I always ask on this issue is - OK, what limits would you be comfortable with for House of Representative and Senate? Foe Senate, I'd be OK with 2 terms... what about the House?

Response by SGT Matthew Sesar made Apr 4 at 2017 7:55 PM

2017-04-04T19:55:49-04:00

It sounds like from most of the responses here, we need to do something about it. Does anybody have any ideas? A petition?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2017 4:18 AM

2017-04-05T04:18:01-04:00

It's a complete mess right now... term limits would be a start!! Accountability and integrity are needed more then anything.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Apr 7 at 2017 12:51 AM

2017-04-07T00:51:48-04:00

In my opinion, term limits are about the only sensible fix to the current deep state corruption.