I used to be a big advocate for term limits but have softened that stance somewhat in recent years as I have seen elections remove some bad congressmen and congresswomen. This is multi-part so here goes: Change the length of the House to terms to 4 years instead of 2 years. List the states alphabetically and number the seats 1 through 435. The odd seats get elected for the first time for four years, the even seats get elected for 2 years. Then 2 years later just the even numbered seats would be up for reelection. So half of the House would be elected every 2 years and half of each state's representatives would be elected every 2 years. Put 12-year term limits in for each Federal office, House, Senate, and the President. There would be no restriction for someone moving from the House to the Senate or the Presidency, the 12-year limit would reset. So if someone were very good in office and could get re-elected they could serve 12 years in the House, then 12 years in the Senate (remember 6-year terms), and finally 12 years as President. This would reduce House elections by 50% and the House members would not constantly be running for re-election. What say you?
Like in principle. Would keep 2-year terms for the House, limited to four terms; eligibility to run for the House limited to those who have previously been elected to the state legislature in that state. Senators limited to two terms plus limited eligibility to run; in order to run for Senate in your state, you must have previously served as a Representative in that state or as a member of the state legislature for states that have three or fewer representatives. Presidents limited to a single six-year term; eligibility limited to those who have previously served as state governor, Vice President, or senior member of the Cabinet (State, Defense, Treasury).
I dont think you need term limits, just double the length of every elected office (though maybe make Senator 8 years, not 12) and have fewer elections, with the possibility of snap elections at any time with a relatively low threshold vote in both chambers. I think you probably get more governance if its not always election time. Plus as it stands, the courts run this country, so what's the point of having all the elections other than making sure consultants and pollsters get paid. If we cant have a parliamentary system, we should at least try to approximate it to some degree IMO.
I really like the idea but need to address gerrymandering districts if you want government to be functional. Not sure how the federal government could fix but when you look at how some of these congressional lines are laid out across the country, no matter what you do with terms you will still have an issue.
I could live with that, too. I’d go with 75 to run or be appointed to any federal office, must retire by 80th birthday. Also addendum to my post above: single 20-year term for the Supreme Court.
I don't know about term limits, but I'm on board with giving representatives 4 years. As it is now, they start their reelection campaigns as soon as they are sworn in.
I like the limits, but I would add mandatory voting to go along with it. No vote, no citizenship, ie you lose your benefits. The people have a responsibility to establish their government. Kind of like Jury duty... People might actually think about their government more instead of the shitshow we have now.
I would be concerned about the exclusionary nature of this. A candidate could theoretically be electable in a wider election, but not be able to get elected as a state rep if their local district swings hard towards the other party.
Have to have a concrete way to get rid of carpetbagging in my opinion. Too many examples in both parties of planting a candidate in a place they are not from and using the power of the national party to get them elected.
It's not a terrible proposal and would give President Trump a 3rd term, so you might be on to something here.
That's democracy, my man. Voters make decisions we disagree with sometimes. Beat that incumbent in a primary or general election if they do it. If you can't, it's because the people are happy enough with their representation.
Democracy already has guardrails to protect it from itself. I am suggesting a few more is all. If we could entirely trust the people to make sound decisions that advance the interests of the democracy in the long run, then we would not need a Supreme Court, for instance.
A reasonable proposal for term limits for SCOTUS justices. Whitehouse, Booker, Blumenthal, Padilla Introduce New Supreme Court Term Limits Bill | U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island https://www.reuters.com/legal/gover...court-term-limits-bipartisan-push-2023-10-25/ Bipartisan Legal Scholars Urge Supreme Court To Impose 18-Year Term Limits
