Congressional Term Limits

Arellia · **Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:56 pm Congressional Term Limits**

With the U.S. elections coming up, I wanted to see what people thought of this concept. Term limits on representatives in the house and senate (or whatever the overseas people have). Of all the issues of the day, I find congress itself to be one of the most pressing situations.

As it is, senators and representatives can serve forever if they continue to get elected. I find this incredibly "bad" and I believe that the States would be better off with a revamping of how long congress members are allowed to work. Name recognition is huge. Most people running against a standing congressman are immediately at a disadvantage for name recognition, press and money. Having the same people running for election year after year encourages them to pander to the people who pander to them--lobbyists, and the people. On the flip-side, many people would say we need career politicians who know what they're doing in congress... from where I stand, I don't see congress making any brilliant moves. Any innovative ideas out there?

Lord Borg · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:00 am**

A change out every so often as you said pretty much. Afer a while in office, you'd become blind to the problems I think. If you wanted to come back, fine, but take a term or two off. Especialy when it comes to name recognition, the other party has almost no chance, if any.

Did I make any sense there?

Republican_Man · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:12 am**

I can see the arguments for both sides, but I really have no problem with not having term limits. At least for House members, that is. It's the People's House, and I don't really think term limits are necessary there. The Senate, however, could be a different story, though I'm on the fence there.

webtaz99 · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:36 am**

This is barely scratching the surface. The very concept of a representative republic is out-dated and obviously disfunctional.

CJ Cregg · Commodore Joined: 05 Oct 2002 Posts: 1254

In its present form i do think that the House should have term limits. 4 terms maximum in a row. The major reason i think that the house needs them is the horrendous gerrymandering that takes place in nearly every state.

About 85% of seats are solid safe seats, does that sounds right to you?
The US states need to reform their seats to ensure fair and competitive elections occur, not design them to protect as many incumbents as possible or so ensure 1 party has all safe seats and the other doesn't.

I give credit to some states for trying to reform the system (Ohio and California) However the voters rejected the idea due to disgusting attack ads from democrats in California and republicans in Ohio.

The senate on the other hand does not need them, most senate seats have fair elections and only in the reddest or bluest states do they not have competitive elections, but that's understandable.

(State by State analysis of gerrymandering)

Republican_Man · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 5:47 pm**

There are laws against gerrymandering based on race, but there is no such ability to regulate political gerrymandering. I've studied this for two years, in AP Human Geo last year and AP Gov this year. There's neither a precedent nor an ability to stop political gerrymandering.

CJ Cregg · Commodore Joined: 05 Oct 2002 Posts: 1254

Republican_Man · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 6:13 pm**

CJ Cregg · Commodore Joined: 05 Oct 2002 Posts: 1254

How hard is it to fairly draw seats? Not hard at all. Its both parties don't want to do it cause they would have to campaign in more seats.

Simple as that.

Republican_Man · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 6:18 pm**

CJ Cregg · Commodore Joined: 05 Oct 2002 Posts: 1254

Well then its a sad reflection on American politics if the parties wont do that.

Arellia · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:19 pm**

I have to agree with CJ. Unfair politicians in such a manner probably shouldn't be there to begin with. They would be attempting to defeat a democracy they're supposed to be defending.

Lord Borg · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:21 pm**

Sounds like an abuse of power to me. /shrug. What would i know?

Republican_Man · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:24 pm**

CJ Cregg · Commodore Joined: 05 Oct 2002 Posts: 1254

You say its politics, but it doesn't happen other western democracy. They all different in which system they use. Germany has a 1 house PR system, The UK has 2 houses 1 elected 1 not etc etc. But they all solved their gerrymandering problem. Thus fixing a lot of the corruption that comes with it.

Blame isn't just on the politicians. Its on the public too. They should vote for reform measures and not vote in the same person because that's the only name they know.

Republican_Man · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:33 pm**

That may be so, but it's still politics. That's what it is. It's playing politics with representation.

CJ Cregg · Commodore Joined: 05 Oct 2002 Posts: 1254

Then vote them out, vote in reformers, vote in measures which reform the system. Don't accept it.

Republican_Man · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:43 pm**

I'd love to vote out my state representatives (who redistrict and reapportion the seats), but not because of this, but rather political reasons (the Democratic legislature is screwing us over). I don't see any chance for change here, with the state of politics, no matter what the party, so I'm just accepting it right now. It's not a big issue in my mind right now. There are a lot more serious issues facing my state and my country that are occupying my mind and decisions to vote for people.

Besides, no one's running on adjusting redistricting rules, and I really don't think we'll see change. Plus, there's no real room for laws regarding that in this country.

CJ Cregg · Commodore Joined: 05 Oct 2002 Posts: 1254

Well i hold the health of a democracy as one of the most important issues.

I hate the fact that the UK doesn't use PR in its General elections (One reason i vote Lib Dem) but at least the seats are more or less fairly drawn.

Arellia · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:49 pm**

Aah, RM, to say a fundamental tenet of our government is not a big issue is to ignore the base of a problem. No term limits, shady gerrymandering, lobbying... they just happen, right? And all the other problems facing our nation--your "important" issues--just happen? If we want our most pressing issues resolved, we must start at the base of the obstacles involving change. Congress.

Republican_Man · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:51 pm**

Again, there's really no way to solve this issue, and it's up to the states to do the reform. I'd be for reform, but I don't see that happening unless we have politicians that honestly want to fix it, and that's not going to happen.

If you think it can happen, though, please share your proposal, because I just don't see it possible.

Lord Borg · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:52 pm**

CJ Cregg · Commodore Joined: 05 Oct 2002 Posts: 1254

Term limits is reform so we are still on topic.

If you cant trust the politicians, propose a referendum on the issue.

Republican_Man · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:55 pm**

Arellia · **Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:57 pm**