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nels96 · Feb 26, 2005, 06:36 pm

#8 CONGRESS’ NEW TERM LIMITS PLOY

I just saw a TV news report that some in Congress are proposing a Constitutional
Amendment to rescind the 22nd Amendment, which limits the President to two terms.

Now, I can see some rabid Clinton fans trying to get a third term for Bill, or
some rabid Bush fans, trying to do the same for George W. But I suspect a more
devious and malign motive.

I am sure that Congress is aware that, across the country in statewide elections,
local term limits are being enacted, and re-affirmed, with extraordinary majorities.
They can see ‘which way the wind is blowing’, and that it is only a matter of time
before it is blowing for Congressional Term Limits.

Therefore, they figure if they can whip up some enthusiasm for allowing a third term
for Presidents, they feel that this would in some measure be a significant counterforce
against limiting the terms of Congressional Senators and Representatives.

In my research into the Founders’ preparation for designing the Constitution, there
was considerable emphasis on Madison’s studies of great minds thruout history and on
the repeated focus of those sages on the principle of “rotation in office”, which
would be a major impediment to the growth of corruption in office.

In other words, ‘rotation in office’ is what the philosophers of old called term limits.
And it was a principle they all relied upon to create and sustain healthy governance.

Should we, in the modern world, think any differently ?

Our Founders, who did such a marvelous job in creating the most successful, longest living
Constitution in history, may have made a mistake in assuming that the voters would vote to
assure ‘rotation in office’, and that politicians would not be able to thwart the principle
of ‘rotation in office’. But, they also gave us the ability to amend the Constitution to
fix their mistakes. I believe, if they were alive today, they would be disappointed to see
that we have not already done so.

I am Nelson Lee Walker, and I believe that our country needs Congressional Term Limits.

rcne · Feb 26, 2005, 06:59 pm

I am all for term limits. Without them dynasties form. The power must not be allowed to be passed on or inherited.

The rotation of office you mentioned, is one of the primary reasons our system evolves. Candidates are by necessity open to the public. And the voters chose who represents them.

I have heard this mentioned in the last few days, but have not thought deeply about it. If it does come up for a vote, I will be calling and writing to implement term limits for all government offices,

RickSp · Feb 26, 2005, 07:11 pm

Quote:

Quote by: rcne

I am all for term limits. Without them dynasties form. The power must not be allowed to be passed on or inherited.

Exactly, without term limits we might have father and son presidents. Oh, we do already with term limits. Nevermind.

Sgt Schultz · Feb 26, 2005, 08:40 pm

It would still have to pass through the states to be ratified and somehow I don't see the public going for it.

Richard 23 · Feb 26, 2005, 09:18 pm

Why does everything seem to be revolving around FDR these days? Wasn't the 22nd Amendment motivated by Republican fears of being shut out by another popular democrat? FDR died in his fourth term and may well have been re-elected had he lived on.

Often overlooked is this: in 1933 Major General Smedley Darlington Butler came forward to Congress to reveal a coup d'état plot against President Roosevelt sponsored by big-money interests.

I'd argue that the 8 year Clinton hunt backed by elite Replublicans, the attempt to knock the popular right-wing Democrat out of office (without an election) was essentially the same thing (intent).

Had there been talk about doing away with the 22nd Amendment before 2000, there would have been rabid howls from the right. Had he been re-elected, the Clinton hunt would have resumed.

Considering even the most extreme-right folk like Dobson are silent about Gannon yet foam at the mouth over Spongebob, it's pretty clear that there are no "moral values" other than the aquisition of power. So I am not surprised that there's desire for dictatorship, as long as Bush is the dictator. Moral outrage is an effective weapon empoyed only against perceived enemies to cloak the persuit of power. Sheer naked agression.

Feb 26, 2005, 06:36 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
nels96 BANNED Posts: 22	Congress' latest ploy to avoid term limits #8 CONGRESS’ NEW TERM LIMITS PLOY I just saw a TV news report that some in Congress are proposing a Constitutional Amendment to rescind the 22nd Amendment, which limits the President to two terms. Now, I can see some rabid Clinton fans trying to get a third term for Bill, or some rabid Bush fans, trying to do the same for George W. But I suspect a more devious and malign motive. I am sure that Congress is aware that, across the country in statewide elections, local term limits are being enacted, and re-affirmed, with extraordinary majorities. They can see ‘which way the wind is blowing’, and that it is only a matter of time before it is blowing for Congressional Term Limits. Therefore, they figure if they can whip up some enthusiasm for allowing a third term for Presidents, they feel that this would in some measure be a significant counterforce against limiting the terms of Congressional Senators and Representatives. In my research into the Founders’ preparation for designing the Constitution, there was considerable emphasis on Madison’s studies of great minds thruout history and on the repeated focus of those sages on the principle of “rotation in office”, which would be a major impediment to the growth of corruption in office. In other words, ‘rotation in office’ is what the philosophers of old called term limits. And it was a principle they all relied upon to create and sustain healthy governance. Should we, in the modern world, think any differently ? Our Founders, who did such a marvelous job in creating the most successful, longest living Constitution in history, may have made a mistake in assuming that the voters would vote to assure ‘rotation in office’, and that politicians would not be able to thwart the principle of ‘rotation in office’. But, they also gave us the ability to amend the Constitution to fix their mistakes. I believe, if they were alive today, they would be disappointed to see that we have not already done so. I am Nelson Lee Walker, and I believe that our country needs Congressional Term Limits.

Feb 26, 2005, 06:59 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
rcne Moderator/nobody Posts: 1,566	I am all for term limits. Without them dynasties form. The power must not be allowed to be passed on or inherited. The rotation of office you mentioned, is one of the primary reasons our system evolves. Candidates are by necessity open to the public. And the voters chose who represents them. I have heard this mentioned in the last few days, but have not thought deeply about it. If it does come up for a vote, I will be calling and writing to implement term limits for all government offices, Live Long and Prosper (Genetics and Capitalism)

Feb 26, 2005, 08:40 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
Sgt Schultz Not the 5th Cylon Location: Illinois (metro east St. Louis) Posts: 4	It would still have to pass through the states to be ratified and somehow I don't see the public going for it. I don't need anger management. I need people to stop making me mad. - Red Green

Feb 26, 2005, 09:18 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Richard 23 Molten Ash Location: Western Washington, USA, Earth, Sol, Milky Way, known universe Posts: 59	Why does everything seem to be revolving around FDR these days? Wasn't the 22nd Amendment motivated by Republican fears of being shut out by another popular democrat? FDR died in his fourth term and may well have been re-elected had he lived on. Often overlooked is this: in 1933 Major General Smedley Darlington Butler came forward to Congress to reveal a coup d'état plot against President Roosevelt sponsored by big-money interests. I'd argue that the 8 year Clinton hunt backed by elite Replublicans, the attempt to knock the popular right-wing Democrat out of office (without an election) was essentially the same thing (intent). Had there been talk about doing away with the 22nd Amendment before 2000, there would have been rabid howls from the right. Had he been re-elected, the Clinton hunt would have resumed. Considering even the most extreme-right folk like Dobson are silent about Gannon yet foam at the mouth over Spongebob, it's pretty clear that there are no "moral values" other than the aquisition of power. So I am not surprised that there's desire for dictatorship, as long as Bush is the dictator. Moral outrage is an effective weapon empoyed only against perceived enemies to cloak the persuit of power. Sheer naked agression.