Democratic Primaries

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)

18. I take a more pessimistic approach.

Fri Dec 27, 2019, 11:49 AM

Dec 2019

It makes logical sense to say that, in a democratic system, the election itself is a check against shitty politicians and that term limits need not apply. In practice, it rarely works that way. Keeping the shitty politicians from office isn't what motivates most people to vote, and those who are concerned about such issues are easily blinded by their partisan affiliations.

The Constitution didn't provide for term limits, that's true. It also didn't allow direct election of senators or guarantee anyone the right to vote in federal elections. The logic of the founders being the passionate masses couldn't be trusted to make informed decisions, they greatly restricted who could participate in the electoral process.

Their fears weren't unfounded, as we've no doubt realized.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

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Highlight:

Tom Steyer pushing congressional term limits [View all] TheSocialDem Dec 2019 OP

Steyer's going way out of his lane. He goes from "must impeach" oasis Dec 2019 #1

He's got all the bases covered! Lol. BootinUp Dec 2019 #12

With Term Limits We Get No Nancy Pelosi Tom - Idiotic Idea - Just Get ALL THE MONEY OUT - DUH DanieRains Dec 2019 #2

Congressional term limits is one of the worst ideas ever. Sloumeau Dec 2019 #3

You could make the same argument about the presidency. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2019 #13

I would make the exact same argument about the Presidency Sloumeau Dec 2019 #16

Correction, exchange "GHWB" for "GWB". Sloumeau Dec 2019 #17

I take a more pessimistic approach. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2019 #18

Bingo! This whole idea is of RW origins. Nt BootinUp Dec 2019 #20

The presidency is an executive position in which exponentially more power is centered in one person StarfishSaver Dec 2019 #26

+1000. n/t pnwmom Dec 2019 #32

Not to mention that imposing term limits would require a constitutional amendment. The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2019 #29

To put it simply, Mr.Bill Dec 2019 #4

Term limits equates to "money buys votes" RockRaven Dec 2019 #5

He's wrong... Mike Nelson Dec 2019 #6

Term limits imply there is an infinite... JohnnyRingo Dec 2019 #7

Louie Gohmert represents KKK territory TexasBushwhacker Dec 2019 #9

Not a good idea, then lobbyists are what would pass for institutional knowledge. diane in sf Dec 2019 #8

Exactly! FiveGoodMen Dec 2019 #22

No offense, TS, but how about billionaire term limits? LOL lostnfound Dec 2019 #10

He is pandering to the ignorant, just like repugs do every day. warmfeet Dec 2019 #11

Term limits are a long standing RW issue Dem4Life1102 Dec 2019 #14

+1 oasis Dec 2019 #23

Yep loyalsister Dec 2019 #24

term limits for judges RicROC Dec 2019 #15

Changing it would require a constitutional amendment. Good luck with that. The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2019 #28

don't all these term limit suggestions require a constitutional amendment? RicROC Dec 2019 #34

Yes, at the federal level. The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2019 #35

I lean against this one. David__77 Dec 2019 #19

Steyer's ads are just terrible. He ought to hire some actual comradebillyboy Dec 2019 #21

We don't need term limits boomer_wv Dec 2019 #25

He shouldn't be advertising for something that he can't accomplish. The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2019 #27

I whole heartedly support term limits on judicial appointments Jake Stern Dec 2019 #30

Term limits ENTRENCH the influence of special interests and lobbyists, RockRaven Dec 2019 #31

I'm getting sick and tired of his non-stop commercials. Of course he won't succeed in totodeinhere Dec 2019 #33