|
So, we stand around complaining about government and politicians and sit on our butts listening to talk show hosts complaining about government and politicians. Wow! And while we complain, government and politicians continue digging us in a hole. Stop talking and complaining. Take action. Remember, it's We The People who give corrupt, immoral and worn-out politicians their power; it's We the People who must take it from them! Here are some real actionable items:
This web page provides information about Term Limits and the opportunity and means to Spread The Love of the U.S. Congress (House and Senate) by automatically forcing current congress members out of office so that more citizens can share in holding a position in Congress and to help ease the dysfunctional congress. |
|
Pros and Cons to Term Limits: It's said that the framers of the Constitution considered and rejected the idea of Term Limits for the benefit of experience to deal with complex issues. In fact, the office of President did not have Term Limits (2) until 1951 (22nd Amendment to the Constitution). However, when the Constitution was being framed, the country was much more unified, in mind and heart, not only against the tyranny of the British but for "community" resulting from their shared bloody War of Independence; there was a spirit of oneness that does not exist today. Indeed, today, our current congressional representatives have proven to be quite greedy and aren't actually creating any value or wealth to their communities but for themselves.
Many reasons are given why Term Limits can, or can't, work: |
| The voting process takes care of getting rid of undesireable politicians and, therefore, creates term limits. |
If only that were the case and as simple as that. To understand why elections aren't term limits, we must first examine the number one determinant of electoral success: money. On average, incumbents can raise five times as much money as their challengers, amounting to a per-race financial advantage of $588,822. This wouldn’t be a problem if the incumbents worked hard and earned campaign money on merit. Unfortunately, they don’t. Money, from Special interest Lobbyists, flows into incumbent coffers purely because a member has filed for re-election, or because they've used the aforementioned extortion tactics to shake down a private enterprise.
It adds up. Special interests contribute between 85%-95% of their PAC (Political Action Committee) dollars on average to incumbents, not challengers or open seat candidates. Since 94% of incumbents win re-election, the generosity serves as an investment in favorable treatment down the road. Quid pro quo. Meanwhile, on the challenger side, candidates have to spend every waking hour begging PACs and members of the community for smaller donations. A well-funded campaign is the only way for an outsider to earn name recognition and the voters' trust. Hence, the incumbent will always have the upper hand in any campaign. Term Limits helps level the playing field. |
|
The learning curve is so vast, newbies won't be able to acclimate fast enough to be effective (learn the ropes); seasoning and experience, from extended tenure alone makes congress effective.
Newbies haven't developed "relationships" that can expedite political processes. |
A Term Limits program won't wipe everyone out all at once. Even now, the Senate has "Phased Elections" where one-third of the Senate is elected every two years. There will always be 'seasoned' politicians to help newbies learn the processes and develop "relationships" (most, of which, should be avoided).
The function of congress is not rocket science so the IQ factor comes into play. Additionally, congress members have a myriad of resources at their disposal. Even if a bunch of newbies were to replace the entire congress, in a relatively short time, a few would rise to positions of authority and leadership and group dynamics would form. The simple fact that the newbie has passed the election process lends proof of some intelligence, leadership, servitude and political or business experience to navigate, and succeed, in the politics of congress without the taint of congressional corruption that most "relationships" induce. This allows for greater integrity, common sense and fresh thinking. With turnover, leadership will always emerge within the newbies just as corruption emerges within 'seasoned' politicians. |
| [Effective] Last-term-politicians will become lethargic, and less effective, knowing they won't be back. OR Term Limits takes power away from voters. | Politicians, after their last term, [anyone] can be a ballot-write-in by informed, qualified, legal voters* who take the time to research and understand the current issues and candidates and their platforms. If the politician is serious about returning to office, and they have a large loyal following, they can campaign as they did before; they just won't be printed on the ballot. This, actually, will encourage a politician to be more responsive to their constituants while in office, regardless of their tenure, instead of resting on their laurels from past terms. Term Limits does not take power away from voter. Serious, informed, qualified, legal voters who want their favorite [expired-terms] politician to continue in office can write-in their candidate's name on the ballot (check State voting requirements). |
| Voting and congressional reforms (for example, methods to prevent voter fraud and 'political favors') should be implemented to improve voting outcomes and reduce political corruption. | Agreed. But voting and congressional reforms are implemented all the time and take time, and lots of debate, to pass laws and policies; and, still, fraud and corruption continue. While Term Limits, alone, is not the panacea for all voting and political corruption woes and lethargic congressional attention to the problems within the United States, it should be the catalyst, and part of an overall 'package', for improving the voting process and congressional responsibility, accountability and rejuvenation. |
| Term Limits do little to reduce political corruption. | On the contrary, lobbyists (the largest purveyors of graft and corruption) fear the loss of their old congressional 'friends' and, as previously mentioned above, Term Limits should be part of an overall comprehensive political reform 'package'. |
|
The Plan is to Bypass Congress: There are a few political action groups pushing for Term Limits. It would be nice if they worked together to improve the impact but . . . after monitoring this Term Limits organization (termlimits.com, established 1991) for many years, I finally decide to take action through them because of their longevity, tenacity and strategies. In 1995 they organized 23 states to put term limits on their members of Congress in D.C. but this was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. However, because of U.S. Supreme Court's decision wording, they found a different approach which appears quite feasible; a State Convention to bypass congress and pass the required Amendment to the Constitution by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures. TermLimits.com still pushes for the alternate plan for congress to impose Term Limits on themselves but they aren't going to hold their breath so their main focus is to encourage the States to do it and bypass congress. Unfortunately, instant gratification is today's norm and the road to a constitutional convention doesn't fit that bill. So, it's important to stay the course with support and "talking it up" until Term Limits becomes a reality.
As I have experienced, contacting my reps. about Term Limits usually (not always) invokes a response that they disagree with term limits. That response is one of the most perfect reasons why Term Limits needs to be thrust upon them. Excuse me, but they are our Public Servants and were elected to do the will of the people; their actions should reflect the will of the majority of their constituents (voters). Personally, I am not a fan of any politician. It's easy, for me, to vote against anyone I have identified as a potential life-terms imcumbent and I continue being their squeaky wheel on this topic. The first Constitutional Convention (1787); the coming together of the States, created the federal government. Another Convention can change it. If you're with us in this fight, take action now. |
|
TAKING ACTION:
Talking about a problem does not help fix it. Taking action does. Help fix the DC Dysfunction by making congressional Term Limits happen through a State Convention instead of congress. 1 - Always Vote! Share in the ruling of your country; a serious responsibility and duty to yourself, family, friends, neighbors, and country. 2 - Please Sign the petition. 3 - Please Contact your State politicians. This link will email the legislator(s) in your state's capital. Contacting them directly is also good. 4 - Please send a link to this page to friends and family, encouraging them to take these actions. 5 - February 27th is Term Limits Day. Please consider displaying a visual aid (from TermLimits.com or links below) in support of Term Limits. 6 - Please contact your Reps. in congress. Ask them to submit legislation, or vote for current legislation, to implement congressional Term Limits.
U.S. Senate (SJR1) and U.S. House (HJR20) - Sign the Petition 8 - Never assume that your legislators know what's best for you; they don't. Always communicate your positions with them. They are your employees. Other Options: These organizations also support Term Limits. Please consider signing ALL their Term Limits petitions as well. Convention of States Term Limits Petition Term Limits for US Congress E-Petition Form |
|
Presidents are limited to a maximum of 2 terms (8 years). Members of Congress can stay in office until they die. If Term Limits makes sense for the President, shouldn't we Limit those who write the laws? The President IS NOT the ultimate authority; otherwise we would be living in a dictatorship. The CONGRESS (House and Senate) has the real power but, to protect themselves from losing their "permanent" congressional position, they put much of the responsibility of their actions on the President. That's called deflection (shifting the focus off them and onto others or something else).
Please consider taking these actions, against Congress, to make a major change in Washington, DC. It needs to happen to stop the congressional insanity and get the focus back on the citizens of this great country. But, until Term Limits are implemented, consider voting against all incumbents seeking re-election to the same office. They really need to get back to a real job. So, help them Out [of office]; Vote Them Out and keep asking your congressional representatives to pass Term Limits legislation. Don't ever let them feel comfortable in their political seat, otherwise they will stay there FOREVER. |
|
These topics have moved to the Election and Voting Reform and Integrity Project Page:
Reduce Voting Fraud - Get Your Vote Counted ELECTORAL COLLEGE EXPLAINED Become a Legal, Informed, Educated Voter Don't Be Ignorant The Importance of Voting |
 |
|
