Comments on: Term Limits Constitutional Amendment Proposed http://thatsmycongress.com/index.php/2009/11/11/term-limits-constitutional-amendment-proposed/ A politically independent journal of the campaigns and legislation of the United States Congress. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:46:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jack Southwick http://thatsmycongress.com/index.php/2009/11/11/term-limits-constitutional-amendment-proposed/comment-page-1/#comment-39618 Jack Southwick Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:56:32 +0000 http://thatsmycongress.com/?p=2095#comment-39618 I was struck (and am still 'haunted') by a comment made by Senator Brownback in 2009, while speaking to a gathering of the National Electrical Contractors Association in Washington D.C., which I will paraphrase and went somewhat like this, "I am in favor of term limits and I am going to practice what I have preached, I am going to move on. Don't get me wrong, being a Senator is a pretty good gig - I'd love to stay - it's great!. But I feel I need to move on to allow others to have a chance to help run our country. You can't tell me we can't find 100 other competant people every 12 years (2 Senate seat terms) across our country to do a good job representing us." With all due respect to the late Senator, Ted Kennedy was there just way too long. America does NOT need a "royal family." Sure, we need leaders whom we respect and admire. Further, I'm not saying Kennedy was not smart, nor am I saying he lacked the ability to get things done in congress. I'm saying, "Get out of the way" because you're not the ONLY smart person. Kennedy's lock on his senate seat was close to a dictatorship. He had way too much "brand name recognition" and took advantage of it. I say, "Give up your seat, and allow for some other competent citizen fulfill their duty." Therefore, let's set term limits in place, just like the presidency has, to keep one person from dominating; that's a democracy. We won't have to completely rely on the great honor of those like Senator Brownback and George Washington, who understand this principal, and who are willing to "move on" rather than be tempted to run again and again. I was struck (and am still ‘haunted’) by a comment made by Senator Brownback in 2009, while speaking to a gathering of the National Electrical Contractors Association in Washington D.C., which I will paraphrase and went somewhat like this, “I am in favor of term limits and I am going to practice what I have preached, I am going to move on. Don’t get me wrong, being a Senator is a pretty good gig – I’d love to stay – it’s great!. But I feel I need to move on to allow others to have a chance to help run our country. You can’t tell me we can’t find 100 other competant people every 12 years (2 Senate seat terms) across our country to do a good job representing us.” With all due respect to the late Senator, Ted Kennedy was there just way too long. America does NOT need a “royal family.” Sure, we need leaders whom we respect and admire. Further, I’m not saying Kennedy was not smart, nor am I saying he lacked the ability to get things done in congress. I’m saying, “Get out of the way” because you’re not the ONLY smart person. Kennedy’s lock on his senate seat was close to a dictatorship. He had way too much “brand name recognition” and took advantage of it. I say, “Give up your seat, and allow for some other competent citizen fulfill their duty.”

Therefore, let’s set term limits in place, just like the presidency has, to keep one person from dominating; that’s a democracy. We won’t have to completely rely on the great honor of those like Senator Brownback and George Washington, who understand this principal, and who are willing to “move on” rather than be tempted to run again and again.

]]> By: karen miller http://thatsmycongress.com/index.php/2009/11/11/term-limits-constitutional-amendment-proposed/comment-page-1/#comment-38397 karen miller Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:10:12 +0000 http://thatsmycongress.com/?p=2095#comment-38397 I disagree. Term limits would simply make it cost prohibitive for corporations and other countries to "buy" influence through lobbying. One important factor in contribution decisions is that the candidate has a reasonably "sure" prospect of being elected. The name recognition and prior donated "war chest" of incumbents make it virtually impracticable to unseat them and deters many qualified citizens from wasting their time in running for the offfice. Most contributions come into a candidate after they win....not before because of this anticompetitive fact.. Legislation could be passed with a generous insurance and stipend after two terms which a congressman/woman would loose if participating in lobbying. I disagree. Term limits would simply make it cost prohibitive for corporations and other countries to “buy” influence through lobbying. One important factor in contribution decisions is that the candidate has a reasonably “sure” prospect of being elected. The name recognition and prior donated “war chest” of incumbents make it virtually impracticable to unseat them and deters many qualified citizens from wasting their time in running for the offfice. Most contributions come into a candidate after they win….not before because of this anticompetitive fact.. Legislation could be passed with a generous insurance and stipend after two terms which a congressman/woman would loose if participating in lobbying.

]]> By: William Louton http://thatsmycongress.com/index.php/2009/11/11/term-limits-constitutional-amendment-proposed/comment-page-1/#comment-38307 William Louton Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:50:04 +0000 http://thatsmycongress.com/?p=2095#comment-38307 If term limits would exacerbate the problems, what is the answer? How about abolishing pensions and grossly preferential treatment for members of congress? Also, can an amendment be written to abolish lobbyists? If term limits would exacerbate the problems, what is the answer? How about abolishing pensions and grossly preferential treatment for members of congress? Also, can an amendment be written to abolish lobbyists?

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