Update! We need term limits in congress. It would put an end, for example, of lifers doing stupid

[RKP5637]

Last edited Fri May 31, 2019, 12:19 PM - Edit history (1)

things to keep their paycheck coming in. One should serve in congress to serve the country, not their pocketbook/wallet.

DU convinced me to change my mind! Term limits would NOT be the right solution.

[Wounded Bear]

1. I wouldn't fight against it...

[Cuthbert Allgood]

2. Hard no.

We have term limits. Don't vote for them. If a district wants someone for their member of congress, why should a different district(s) be able to tell them no.

Plus, this is the same as the filibuster and presidential term limits (which I also disagree with), the side that puts them in place or gets rid of them regrets it when it would help their side.

[Sherman A1]

6. Precisely

Term limits are available at each election cycle.

[unblock]

3. how do term limits accomplish that?

i agree with you regarding the problem you're talking about, but not with the suggested solution.

in a lame duck term, a congressperson then has an incentive to set up the next gig rather than to serve the constituents. this could easily encourage (even more than already) favorable treatment for a business or industry while in government in order to get a big reward in the private sector later.

yes, a few of them, free to vote their conscience rather than keep playing the endless re-election game, will do the right thing, at least on an issue or two. but most of them -- perhaps even the ones who make a show of voting their conscience -- will cash out and quite probably do something unethical while in office to further this.


i think there are other ways to get money out of politics, including far greater disclosure, banning corporate donations or any donations that could include or disguise foreign money, bigger government funding of campaigns, bigger paychecks for congress (i know this is very unpopular, but either the people own them or someone else does) and stronger restrictions on post-congress income.

[RKP5637]

4. I would be in favor of alternatives if they were to accomplish the same. I like your last paragraph

of some examples.

[StarfishSaver]

11. Money is effective in politics primarily because it buys ads that people swallow wholesale

The way to get money out of politics is to educate the voters so that they're not so easily bought. Once the propaganda is no longer effective people will stop putting big money into paying for it.

That may sound overly-simplistic - and I know that educating voters is not a simple thing - but that's the only way it will work. As long as people disengage and believe whatever they see on tv (and only believe what they see on tv, refusing to gather their information any other way, like reading), money will always rule. But it rules because we let it rule.

[shraby]

5. Many times we have needed the wisdom of long timers. They have been there and seen

that.
Like with NK. Ones who have been in congress for some time know what Kim will do. Some never bother to learn and they don't hang around as long.

trump still doesn't know what he's walked into.

[NBachers]

7. Nope

[lunasun]

8. Yea I want my senator Dick Durban gone ! He is experienced and now has committed seats

Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee on Defense (Ranking Member)[10]
Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Committee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on the Constitution (Ranking Member)
Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs
Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security
Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law
Committee on Rules and Administration
Caucus memberships
Edit
Bi-Cameral High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Caucus
Caucus on International Narcotics Control (Co-Chair)
International Conservation Caucus
Senate Diabetes Caucus
Senate Hunger Caucus (Co-Chair)
Senate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education Caucus (Co-Chair)
Sportsmen's Caucus
Congressional COPD Caucus (Co-Chair)
Senate Ukraine Caucus (Co-Chair)[11]
Afterschool Caucuses[12]
Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus[13]

Leadership
He has been the dem Whip for over 10 years
Thanks Wiki https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Durbin

He has to go !” Been in Congress one way or another since the 80s drain the swamp

It’s called voting - that’s how Congress people should get limited years

[StarfishSaver]

9. We have term limits

They're called elections.

And a good number of the people doing stupid things in Congress aren't "lifers." They are new enough for term limits not to stop them. And when they DO get term limited, they'll just be replaced by new people doing stupid things - if the voters don't pay attention.

Term limits aren't the answer. Paying attention, staying engaged and voting is how to change this.

[UTUSN]

10. After a lifetime, I have come around to term limits. F*** seniority. Term limits would be

the closest thing to having a semi-parliamentary form of government, with at least a change of age groups every few years.

[StarfishSaver]

13. It will also guarantee more Ted Cruzes and Mark Meadows and fewer Durbins, Kennedys, and Sanders

No, thank you.

[UTUSN]

14. You're welcome!1

[smirkymonkey]

12. In the past I would have disagreed, however along came Mitch McConnell...

[jmowreader]

15. This is how the hard right wants to rid themselves of Nancy Pelosi

Got news for ya: A $165,000 salary is not exactly living high on the hog when you have to own two houses.

[GoCubsGo]

16. We already have term limits, as Joe Crowley and others can tell you.

They're called "elections." Term limits will not eliminate the self-serving individuals, but they will deprive us of things like institutional memory, as well as forcing out good people. I don't want to lose people like Maxine Waters, Nancy Pelosi, John Lewis and Jerrold Nadler. Thanks but no thanks. The right do want to get rid of folks like them, and that's why they've always been big on pushing for term limits bandwagon. It's sad to see people here hopping on that bandwagon, too.

[RKP5637]

17. Very good points!!! I agree with you now!!! n/t

[drmeow]

18. Research data suggests

That term limits increase corruption. Lobbyists get fresh, naive people to exploit on a regular basis. Legislators don't have time to build relationships which protect against being made into a stooge and aren't in office long enough to see negative effects of their laws and do something about it.

ALEC published op eds in favor of term limits (with a "op eds do not necessarily reflect our views" wink, wink disclaimer).

Plus, it is undemocratic - I should be able to vote for the candidate who I feel is representing me best and doing the best for the country even if they have been in office for years.

[RKP5637]

19. Yep, I agree. I also changed my initial post as DU has convinced me I was wrong with my

initial line of thinking.