How to Get Term Limits for Congress

[sanman]

Congress needs Term Limits. The only problem is that Congress can't be relied upon to pass laws limiting the Congress. There's an inherent Conflict of Interest there.

Congress likes to claim they watchdog the executive branch -- but who's watching these watchmen?

Individual states need to hold referendums to pass their own term limits on the federal Congress members they elect. Even if you tell me that isn't binding, it will at least be a way for people to register their desire to see term limits passed. Then the smarter states that are more opposed to corruption can exert pressure on their federal representatives to not keep running again, while the crummy states that lean more toward corruption can continue to lag and suffer consequences for themselves.

What are your suggestions or alternatives?

 

[EdwinWillers]

This will only ever happen at the grass roots level - and then only if there is an overwhelming response.

Congress is so thoroughly corrupt it's entirely irrational to imagine they'd ever impose term limits on themselves.

 

[Pippi Longstock]

I would also like to see age limits too. I don't know how this would work but would like to some sort of grading system for congress and senators. It would be on the basis of how they keep their budget balanced and how they serve their constituents.

 

[BitterPill]

Congress needs Term Limits. The only problem is that Congress can't be relied upon to pass laws limiting the Congress. There's an inherent Conflict of Interest there.

Congress likes to claim they watchdog the executive branch -- but who's watching these watchmen?

Individual states need to hold referendums to pass their own term limits on the federal Congress members they elect. Even if you tell me that isn't binding, it will at least be a way for people to register their desire to see term limits passed. Then the smarter states that are more opposed to corruption can exert pressure on their federal representatives to not keep running again, while the crummy states that lean more toward corruption can continue to lag and suffer consequences for themselves.

What are your suggestions or alternatives?

Personally, I don't think any lib-progs, i.e. Democrats, should ever be allowed to hold office, but when it comes to MAGA approved office-holders, there should be no limits.

MAGA.

 

[pragmatic]

Congress needs Term Limits. The only problem is that Congress can't be relied upon to pass laws limiting the Congress. There's an inherent Conflict of Interest there.

Congress likes to claim they watchdog the executive branch -- but who's watching these watchmen?

Individual states need to hold referendums to pass their own term limits on the federal Congress members they elect. Even if you tell me that isn't binding, it will at least be a way for people to register their desire to see term limits passed. Then the smarter states that are more opposed to corruption can exert pressure on their federal representatives to not keep running again, while the crummy states that lean more toward corruption can continue to lag and suffer consequences for themselves.

What are your suggestions or alternatives?

First of all (as you note) Congress is very unlikely to ever pass a law establishing term limits. (See dictionary under: suicidal) Just wouldn't make much sense.)

Second point. Many/most voters tend to like their own congressional representatives. We just hate all those other rascally bastards in other states. Which is going to make it pretty difficult to get individual states to jump on the term limit bandwagon.

Quite the conundrum...

..

 

[Rawley]

Congress needs Term Limits. The only problem is that Congress can't be relied upon to pass laws limiting the Congress. There's an inherent Conflict of Interest there.

Congress likes to claim they watchdog the executive branch -- but who's watching these watchmen?

Individual states need to hold referendums to pass their own term limits on the federal Congress members they elect. Even if you tell me that isn't binding, it will at least be a way for people to register their desire to see term limits passed. Then the smarter states that are more opposed to corruption can exert pressure on their federal representatives to not keep running again, while the crummy states that lean more toward corruption can continue to lag and suffer consequences for themselves.

What are your suggestions or alternatives?

The US Constitution is the roadblock for straight up term limits. One alternative that Congress can enact is a law that reduces the salary of an elected Member of Congress to $1 a year after they serve six (6) consecutive terms in the House or two (2) consecutive terms in the Senate. Credit former Congressman Rooney from FLA for this idea.

 

[EdwinWillers]

First of all (as you note) Congress is very unlikely to ever pass a law establishing term limits. (See dictionary under: suicidal) Just wouldn't make much sense.)

Second point. Many/most voters tend to like their own congressional representatives. We just hate all those other rascally bastards in other states. Which is going to make it pretty difficult to get individual states to jump on the term limit bandwagon.

Quite the conundrum...

..

First point - 100% agree
Second point - 50% agree. The problem with your logic there is that it assumes the representative got 100% of the vote, which is highly improbable. Those who didn't vote for the popular moron are likely very motivated to want to see them removed asap.

 

[pragmatic]

I would also like to see age limits too. I don't know how this would work but would like to some sort of grading system for congress and senators. It would be on the basis of how they keep their budget balanced and how they serve their constituents.

A litmus test for how well Congress balances the Federal budget?

(Seems a little ambitious... and prolly unlikely.)

..

 

[EdwinWillers]

The US Constitution is the roadblock for straight up term limits. One alternative that Congress can enact is a law that reduces the salary of an elected Member of Congress to $1 a year after they serve six (6) consecutive terms in the House or two (2) consecutive terms in the Senate. Credit former Congressman Rooney from FLA for this idea.

Salary reduction *might* work for some, but as we've seen - most who enter congress end up earning far more than their congressional salaries ever paid them.

 

[Liberal7360]

Congress needs Term Limits. The only problem is that Congress can't be relied upon to pass laws limiting the Congress. There's an inherent Conflict of Interest there.

Congress likes to claim they watchdog the executive branch -- but who's watching these watchmen?

Individual states need to hold referendums to pass their own term limits on the federal Congress members they elect. Even if you tell me that isn't binding, it will at least be a way for people to register their desire to see term limits passed. Then the smarter states that are more opposed to corruption can exert pressure on their federal representatives to not keep running again, while the crummy states that lean more toward corruption can continue to lag and suffer consequences for themselves.

What are your suggestions or alternatives?

Vote in people who will follow the constitution and pass the amendment to impose term limits.

Then send it out to the states to vote on it.

If it passes that process, it becomes an amendment to the constitution and there will be term limits on the congress.

It was done for the president.

 

[pragmatic]

First point - 100% agree
Second point - 50% agree. The problem with your logic there is that it assumes the representative got 100% of the vote, which is highly improbable. Those who didn't vote for the popular moron are likely very motivated to want to see them removed asap.

100% of the vote? Yep, that would be a little ridiculous.

No idea how you came to that conclusion from what i posted.

..

 

[EdwinWillers]

100% of the vote? Yep, that would be a little ridiculous.

No idea how you came to that conclusion from what i posted.

..

I wasn't really arguing with you - just noting a chink in your logic - which I'd highlighted:

Many/most voters tend to like their own congressional representatives.

It seemed to me your point there was that the likelihood of congressperson's constituents voting for term limits was slim, given (per your statement) "most tend to like their own congressional reps." I merely pointed out that unless the congressperson is inordinately popular with the majority of their constituents, there are very likely many who don't find them so popular and hence wouldn't pull back from pushing for term limits.

At least, that's how I read what you wrote. If I read it incorrectly, I apologize.

 

[jonny5]

Congress needs Term Limits. The only problem is that Congress can't be relied upon to pass laws limiting the Congress. There's an inherent Conflict of Interest there.

Congress likes to claim they watchdog the executive branch -- but who's watching these watchmen?

Individual states need to hold referendums to pass their own term limits on the federal Congress members they elect. Even if you tell me that isn't binding, it will at least be a way for people to register their desire to see term limits passed. Then the smarter states that are more opposed to corruption can exert pressure on their federal representatives to not keep running again, while the crummy states that lean more toward corruption can continue to lag and suffer consequences for themselves.

What are your suggestions or alternatives?

The people need to wise up. We are the watchmen and most of us are asleep or watching tiktok videos. Vote them all out and put in congressmen who put the union above party.

 

[pragmatic]

Vote in people who will follow the constitution and pass the amendment to impose term limits.

Then send it out to the states to vote on it.

If it passes that process, it becomes an amendment to the constitution and there will be term limits on the congress.

It was done for the president.

Good thought as a concept. But the reality is that the candidate who gets elected is simply the candidate who "is best at getting elected". (lots of money, smart campaign, good organization.)

Whether that person happens to have good character and altruistic ideals is not part of the equation. (True of both tribes, but Trump is certainly the best modern example.)

..

 

[Henry79]

The fundamental fact that mars your argument is that Congresspersons are elected.

Trump's only legacy is this: an entire generation was awakened to the importance of recognizing such a complete failure of the former generations to allow such a horrible person to ever hold office.

I hope, and am indeed counting on a continuation of awareness of the primary responsibility of the American citizen: be aware, be educated, and vote for your representatives to make your voice heard.

 

[Rawley]

Salary reduction *might* work for some, but as we've seen - most who enter congress end up earning far more than their congressional salaries ever paid them.

I think it has to be coupled with some sort of "Pelosi LAW" that prohibits members and their immediate families from stock trading. Everything has to be a blind trust.

 

[EdwinWillers]

The people need to wise up. We are the watchmen and most of us are asleep or watching tiktok videos. Vote them all out and put in congressmen who put the union above party.

^^ Too true ^^

 

[element94]

Personally, I don't think any lib-progs, i.e. Democrats, should ever be allowed to hold office, but when it comes to MAGA approved office-holders, there should be no limits.

MAGA.

You're not helping.

 

[EdwinWillers]

I think it has to be coupled with some sort of "Pelosi LAW" that prohibits members and their immediate families from stock trading. Everything has to be a blind trust.

Plus rules that require them to be present for a majority of all debates and votes, certify that they've read the entirety of all bills themselves as a prereq to voting on them, travel commercially when in the course of their duties, etc. etc.

 

[Ginger Ale]

Agree, and I think if they're caught lying about their qualifications they should also be fired, so many things that aren't ever going to happen.

 

[Port & Starboard]

Congress needs Term Limits. The only problem is that Congress can't be relied upon to pass laws limiting the Congress. There's an inherent Conflict of Interest there.

Congress likes to claim they watchdog the executive branch -- but who's watching these watchmen?

Individual states need to hold referendums to pass their own term limits on the federal Congress members they elect. Even if you tell me that isn't binding, it will at least be a way for people to register their desire to see term limits passed. Then the smarter states that are more opposed to corruption can exert pressure on their federal representatives to not keep running again, while the crummy states that lean more toward corruption can continue to lag and suffer consequences for themselves.

What are your suggestions or alternatives?

If a district likes their representative, then they should be able to send that person back to Washington DC.

They are r-e-p-r-e-s-e-n-t-a-t-i-v-e-s of a district.

 

[sanman]

The US Constitution is the roadblock for straight up term limits. One alternative that Congress can enact is a law that reduces the salary of an elected Member of Congress to $1 a year after they serve six (6) consecutive terms in the House or two (2) consecutive terms in the Senate. Credit former Congressman Rooney from FLA for this idea.

They'll live off the graft/kickbacks/bribes, even if their official salary is reduced to $0 per year. That's more than enough money for them to live high on the hog.

Term limits are absolutely key to reform.

 

[Rawley]

They'll live off the graft/kickbacks/bribes, even if their official salary is reduced to $0 per year. That's more than enough money for them to live high on the hog.

Term limits are absolutely key to reform.

Well, like for Presidents, that is going to take a Constitutional Amendment.

 

[sanman]

If a district likes their representative, then they should be able to send that person back to Washington DC.

They are r-e-p-r-e-s-e-n-t-a-t-i-v-e-s of a district.

The rationale is the same as for Presidential term limits.

If you don't believe in Congressional term limits, then why believe in Presidential term limits?

Why even believe in Separation of Powers?

The answer is that term limits, just like separation of powers, or just like filibusters, offer a safeguard against excesses.

 

[Port & Starboard]

They'll live off the graft/kickbacks/bribes, even if their official salary is reduced to $0 per year. That's more than enough money for them to live high on the hog.

Term limits are absolutely key to reform.

No................term limits are not the answer to anything.

Saying that all representatives in Congress are on the take is a pretty foolish statement to make.