Congressional Term Limits
Is it time for congress to have to term limits? People consider congress too corrupt and not well-appointed to do their duties. Most of the American people say it is time to “submit this constitutional amendment to the states for speedy ratification” (“Term limits”). About seventy-five percent favor this idea (Gallagher). Almost all politicians promise to enact term limits, but once they are elected, they fail to do so (Gallagher). The United States government is known for spending money on new programs and not getting results, or wasting money on things that Americans do not need or want. The United States has accumulated a twenty trillion dollar debt, mainly due to poor choices by congress (Gallagher), which explains
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why congress has a thirteen approval rating, but somehow has a ninety-five percent election rate (“Welcome”). Thomas Jefferson once believed that “politicians would lay down their private endeavors for a season of service and the ‘return into the mass of the people and become the governed instead of the governors’” (Gallagher). There is a never ending debate between term limits and non-term limits.
Most people agree that there is an abuse of political power in congress. This is due to pork barreling, careerism, rich pension, and Cadillac health plans.
As a result, term limits need to be enacted for congress. According to Amendment XXII, there are term limits for the president of the United States of America. Therefore, “a 28th Amendment would be necessary to impose term limits for congress” (Weeks). Other arguments opposing terms limits would agree that term limits with congress would give more power to bureaucrats, lobbyist, and without term limits people could be regularly re-elected (Weeks).
There would be no need for term limits if challengers could get elected with a chance to win. About ninety percent of the time, incumbents get re-elected into office (Weeks). How can that happen if people are not satisfied with incumbents? When comparing incumbents running for office again and challenging candidates, there is a massive discrepancy. In 2010, incumbents in the House of Representatives raised an average of 1.4 million dollars, while the Senate raised an average of 9.4 million (Weeks). Contrary to incumbents, the average challenger raises $166,000 in House of Representatives and $519,000 for the Senate (Weeks). Furthermore, this enormous imbalance of money raised for incumbents causes them to stay in office for long periods of
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time. Additionally, powerful groups such as bureaucrats and lobbyists have and can influence incumbents (Weeks).
Some people say that “incoming legislators will be entirely unqualified for their jobs and will be easily led astray by staff, bureaucrats, special interests, etc” (Weeks). This simply would not occur because the system is not set up to work like that. For example, special groups and lobbyist can take advantage of the “long-term relationships with sitting legislators” (Weeks). Congress also avoids many responsibilities by entrusting bureaucratic groups (Weeks). Term limits will eliminate careerism within the United States. “The strength of special interests actually would be vastly diminished” (Greenburg). They thrive because of relationships of “long-term incumbents”
(Greenburg). People just as special interest, labor unions, and incumbent politicians and are the only “serious opponents” toward term limits (Greenburg). “Two elected legislators have publicly compared the term limit movement to Nazism” (Greenburg). This shows the heated debate over term limits. Term limits pose a threat towards the “established special interest and the urgency of the battle for them” (Greenburg). On the other hand, congressional problems have been inclining over the years. First off, congress has been known for spending tax money on worthless trades and wasting money on new programs. Right now the United States is in 20 trillion dollars of debt. Main reason is because of the long-term incumbents who stay in power for their glory and benefits. Another reason is because of the “heavily entrenched in partisan politics, resulting in gridlock when trying to pass any legislations” (Weeks). Second of all, congress has Cadillac health care plans. Congress does not pay very much for health care, in fact, only twenty eight percent of their premiums (Bloom). Congressman chose a gold-level Obamacare policy (Bloom). It gives them “free or low-cost care through the Office of the Attending Physician as well as free medical outpatient care at military facilities” (Bloom). With all the health benefits, anyone would want to be in office and stay in it None to say the least, Term limits would cause congress to be in a “reality check” (Greenburg). It would be “inescapable, bracing reminders of what life in the real world is like” (Greenburg). It also ensures that members of congress would be exposed to life outside of D.C.
The excerpt “Congress: The Electoral Connection” written by David Mayhew centers around the fundamental arguments that discusses how members of congress are self-interested for reelection. Mayhew further elaborates on his idea by discussing the electoral activities that congress members devote their time into and resource from, which are advertising, credit-claiming, and position taking. Mayhew’s excerpt further examines the framework in how congress operates which contributes to the explanation of how and why congress partakes in the certain electoral activities.
What motivates members of Congress to act the way they do? Mayhew would argue in Congress: The Electoral Connection that members of Congress are ‘’single-minded re-election seekers’’ and that re-election is their one and only goal. Whilst the assumption that all members of Congress are ‘‘single-minded re-election seekers’’ does go some distance in analysing the motives behind members of Congress, the reading fails to take into account the other key goals of members of Congress. Other goals include good policy and future career positions. It is important to remember that the achievement of both re-election and other goals are not exclusive, members of Congress often are motivated by more than one goal.
Preventing federal judges to serve for life is a good concept, except when the judges become too old to continue presiding. Setting term limits for judges would be a great idea, because it would add diversity to the court systems every time a new judge arrives. Some judges are just too old, and senile, to still rule on cases and do their job effectively; therefore, setting term limits would ultimately benefit the courts because it would allow for diversity, and a new judge who may have different standards.
The 22nd Amendment creates a lame duck and which stops abuse of power3. Presidents in their second term have been seen to usually suffer diminished power, particularly after the second midterm elections. This diminish of power creates a lame duck. The president becoming a lame duck, stops him from being able abuse of power. The 22nd Amendment also stops the country from being a monarchy. US. Senators and Congressmen don’t have term limits because their voices are balanced by opposing parties in their chambers, the presidency is different. The president has no similar
In this essay, I will explain why Texas should retain the partisan election of judges. Texas is one of the few states that elect their judges using a Partisan voting method. Partisan elections can be unfair and can misinform the voter. A high legal position such as a judge should never be chosen in such a manner. Partisan elections often cost more than nonpartisan elections in campaigning. Partisan elections are also more likely to lead to straight ticket voting or mindless voting. Partisan elections also lead to more campaign contributions and can increase the power of constituencies. Lastly partisan elections can cause an imbalance in equal represent the population. Therefore, Partisanship voting does not belong in the courts of Texas and
Power is the main influence on Congress members. Without power there would not be a need of money, people wanting the best career for reasons other than to be successful, and Republican and Democratic parties who dominate all parties who have other views. Power is great or marked ability to do or act, strength, might, force. A certain member or party who has a lot of force in Congress can persuade other Congress men or women to vote for what they are told. The people who are tricked into schemes tend to be young members or those seeking approval and power themselves. These plans and wishes for control can cause loss of confidence and criticism of government, not only Congress. If members are found guilty of pressuring, paying money, among other things they can be brought to trial. In the end, this costs the country money to hold a trial that will most likely go to supreme court who have enough trials to take care of. Not all Congress members play mind games and vote for what they believe is best for the public good. The hard part is voting for who you believe is the best fit to make those decisions.
Term limits could increase the quality of the Supreme Court nominees. One of the driving factors behind a Supreme Court nominee is their age (Ringhand np). Individuals over 60 years of age are less likely to be appointed. This means presidents intentionally exclude a large number of highly qualified individuals from serving on our nation’s highest court (Ringhand np). Term limits resolve this problem. Furthermore, the threat of a justice’s cognitive decline may be reduced, since there would no longer be a temptation to hold out for a strategically timed retirement.
The 22nd amendment was passed by Congress in 1947 and ratified by the states by 1951. In which this document or amendment limited the terms of the president to two four year terms. It helps limit the power the president can receive and prevent them from getting “king like powers” it from turning into a monarchy.
The president is a very significant role in not only the U.S., but all around the world. As a matter of fact, the president has a great impact on our country in many ways as well, including relationships and trade. In order for us to have good relationships and trades with the country below us, we would need a strong president. If the presidential term limit was extended, there would be more strong presidents, less weak presidents, the ability to follow through with plans/changes, and less adjusting. This would impact the U.S. and Canada, and other countries all around the world in a positive way. Our society is falling to hatred, bad decisions, and a lack of unity and strength, which could all be reduced or prevented by a strong, beneficial
When the United States was founded, the theme behind the new government was to establish an efficient system without doling out too much power to any one person. The Founders intended to prevent a rebirth of tyranny, which they had just escaped by breaking away from England. However, when members of Congress such as Tom Foley, who served as a Representative from 1964 through 1995, and Jack Brooks, who served as a Representative from 1952 through 1994, remain in the legislative system for over forty years, it is evident that tyranny has not necessarily been eradicated from the United States (Vance, 1994, p. 429). Term limits are a necessity to uphold the Founders’ intentions, to prevent unfair advantages given to incumbents, and to allow a multitude of additional benefits.
In conclusion, Congressional representatives should be limited to serving two terms. Limiting the terms of career politicians will promote fresh ideas and reduce the possibility of decisions being made for self-interest. It is in our Country’s best interest that our legislator’s decisions are equitable and that compromises are not made to ensure their own or their parties stay in office.
Yes, I think Congress has too much power. Because under the constitution, Congress has the most important power and that is to make/change laws. (The powers of Congress-http://www.ushistory.org/gov/6a.asp) In this paper I will explain to you how Congress has too much power by, it being split into two large bicameral legislatures, they have the power of impeachment, and they have the power to approve the spending of federal money.
Though, it would be refreshing to elect an official who remained focused on the best interest of their constituent, the reality is, special interest groups hold the purse. We must set term limits to prevent corruption and give the new comer on the block a fighting
When many people hear the words the Senate and the House of Representative they might think of Congress. They do not truly go into depth of what those two departments mean, and they do not understand how vital they are to our own government. Congress is part of the Legislative Branch and is a bicameral legislature. Which means that is a legislature that is separated into two houses, and in that case is the House of Representatives and the Senate. Many know the words "The Senate" and "The House of Representatives" but they do not truly know what those words entail, many do not know the contrast and comparisons of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
... the only individuals with this strong ability to sway policy. In order to truly alter this legislative behavior, all donations, lobby, and PAC funds should be open to the public immediately upon entry. If approaching the problem from the legislatures’ standpoint, elections could be held less often with longer terms and with limited numbers of reelection. However, limiting the terms allowed can hurt the overall functioning of Congress because they would lack the grown, intelligence of those long-standing congressmen. To focus primarily on broad national issues would be to ignore local priorities and everything should start small, simple and expand outward, because that is how well-thought expansive projects are produced. The best solution to the pork-barreling issue would be to leave it in the hands of the Congress but only with complete and immediate transparency.