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LiberalFighter

(50,501 posts)
24. This is a letter I wrote for the local newspaper about term limits.
Mon Feb 1, 2021, 09:29 AM
Feb 2021

Term limits subvert lawmaking's intent

Two recent letters have strongly supported term limits. They are mostly misguided.

One suggested members of Congress only serve one term – a folly and not warranted when elections already serve as a form of term limit. Another stated the Founding Fathers under the Constitution intended members to only serve one term. This was not intended or included, nor followed.

The average seniority of members in Congress is 10.1 years on the Senate side and 8.6 years in the House at the start of 2019. A total of 20 senators were elected in 2016 or later and 144 in the House.

Term limits would discourage better and more qualified people from seeking office. There are already too many unqualified and unethical people in Congress; we don't need more.

Under term limits, the executive branch would become a haven for corruption when the legislative branch doesn't pursue needed oversight. For legislators to conduct proper oversight requires time to build up the knowledge and experience specific to the federal government.

Building good relationships with other members of Congress, including those from the other side, takes time. Experience and knowledge are critical for providing services to constituents and offering or supporting legislation vital for the government's operation.

Focus should be on campaign finances and lobbyists, especially when it is easier for foreigners and corrupt individuals to contribute to candidates or PACs. Then there are the lobbyists, too many of whom are former members of Congress.

Term limits are not democratic Dem4Life1102 Jan 2021 #1
You're absolutely right. +1 live love laugh Jan 2021 #2
I've always been against term limits. Mr.Bill Jan 2021 #3
Totally agree. And they should not get full pay for their pension. LiberalFighter Feb 2021 #25
There are already term limits bottomofthehill Jan 2021 #4
Term limits for life are not the same as the duration of a term. live love laugh Jan 2021 #5
If people are not happy, there is a lengt of term and that person can be removed. bottomofthehill Jan 2021 #6
Of course and removal can be irrespective of the term duration. live love laugh Jan 2021 #9
If people are not happy, there is a lengt of term and that person can be removed. bottomofthehill Jan 2021 #7
❤️ ✿❧🌿❧✿ ❤️ Lucinda Jan 2021 #8
Thanks for taking the time to post this. Silver1 Jan 2021 #10
I agree that presidential limits are useful. Universal limits aren't. live love laugh Feb 2021 #12
I think this should include Presidents AwakeAtLast Jan 2021 #11
How about term limits just for Republicans? Silent3 Feb 2021 #13
Meanwhile, the Kochs and Mercers, accountable to no one, can continue Tanuki Feb 2021 #14
Every time it comes up here I say that. My fellow Californians were talked into voting for it... Hekate Feb 2021 #15
This. 'They're called "elections," and occur every 2, 4, and 6 years.' Hortensis Feb 2021 #19
Another downside to term limits -- laziness and corruption. Progressive Jones Feb 2021 #16
So of course my MAGA "friends" are all about term limits these days. All of them. winstars Feb 2021 #17
California state legislature is a good example of this JI7 Feb 2021 #18
A CA power figure some decades ago used to say he could get anything passed Hortensis Feb 2021 #20
I'm against term limits, but I would be in favor of maximum age limits... VarryOn Feb 2021 #21
People vote to re-elect them. JI7 Feb 2021 #22
That's probably the most compelling argument against... VarryOn Feb 2021 #26
I saw no value in Paul Ryan as Speaker JI7 Feb 2021 #27
No one who lurks or posts on this site did either... VarryOn Feb 2021 #28
Yup. I've been making this argument for some 30 years. JHB Feb 2021 #23
This is a letter I wrote for the local newspaper about term limits. LiberalFighter Feb 2021 #24
Excellent letter. You've encouraged me to send one locally. nt live love laugh Feb 2021 #29
I wrote it in January 2020. Average years of service is slightly different. LiberalFighter Feb 2021 #30
Thanks. live love laugh Feb 2021 #31
Agreed with live love laugh, that is a fantastic letter. Thanks also for the info link. nt crickets Feb 2021 #32
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