ScrappyTam

I believe that we need to impose term limits on our "leaders". The president has a limit of 2 terms. The House and the Senate have no such regulation. The Senate has unlimited 6 year terms. The House has unlimited 2 year terms.

It seems to me that many of the long term reps tend to go from representing our interests to doing what they can to keep their jobs.

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I almost threw my ovaries at him. - Trenell

Poodlehead

It's also interesting how many people go from Congress to the lobbies.

I know of long term politicians who seem to have kept their souls, but I think they are few and far between.

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Minneapolis, MN

YolyC

ITA. I wish our local leaders had term limits. Our mayor has been in office since 89. While he's done some good. I have to say, the corruption is so in your face it's unbelievable. The patronism (sp?) even worse. You can't get a city job being a regular joe blow, it's all about who you know, who's ass you kiss and who you are related to.

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Location: Chicago

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"If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything."
— Malcolm X

BohemianRenegade

We actually voted on this today for our county and city leaders. Right now they have no term limits. The city mayor has been going crazy for years and is actually under investigation by the FBI.

If the vote passes, they will have term limits of 2 consecutive four year terms. But the way it was worded, it looks like they could get elected again after taking a term off.

MichelleBFT

I think terms should be longer, in general, but I think no one should be allowed more than one go-round. Keeps the focus on getting as much good accomplished as possible while they're in office and less focus on getting their job re-upped. Elected office shouldn't be a career for anyone, if you ask me (unless you manage to go from one elected office to another, ie mayor to governor, governor to congress/senate, congress/senate to Pres).

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"And politically correct is the worst term, not just because it’s dismissive, but because it narrows down the whole social justice spectrum to this idea that it’s about being polite instead of about dismantling the oppressive social structure of power.
Fun Fact: When you actively avoid being “PC,” you’re not being forward-thinking or unique. You’re buying into systems of oppression that have existed since before you were even born, and you’re keeping those systems in place."
Stolen.

Poodlehead

As far as term limits go, why do you think people continually vote for someone who is no good? Maybe instead of limits, there needs to be more voter education.

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Minneapolis, MN

SarcasmIsBeauty

I definitely think we should have term limits, because then these people get too comfy and forget why they're there in the first place. I think it might slightly lessen the corruption just a tad.

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Turtles: omg please don't put that in your moo moo

Nej: too late... moo moo has been infiltrated.

CottonCandyCurls

It's an interesting proposal but I don't know if it would actually solve the corruption problem. They should give the House something longer than a 2 year term. It should be like 3 or 4 years. It's difficult to get as much as you want done if your a Representative, if most of the time you are just running for re-election.

StephS

I think this is a good idea. It gives enough time to accomplish things w/o enabling the "political career" mindset. And then someone else gets a chance. Running again after a term off means that you will win again if you were an effective representative.

Poodle, so many people just go in and vote straight party without any consideration of possible single issues, or really consideration of anything except that the candidate exude certain traits and "values" they are most comfortable with. Many people are terrified of change, no matter how bad things are across the board. (But they are that way in everyday life, not just when thinking about politics). They vote D or R straight up b/c that is what their parents did, and their parents, and so on. Also, many people get their political news directly from their church groups (or even the workplace: http://www.newsweek.com/id/166193 ), and that is highly influential. No matter that they may actually be voting against their own interests, if they are convinced the person running strongly shares the same "values," that is who they vote for. There is a reason most politicians are slick speakers. They know how to come across as believable, even when what they speak to is not. That's why informed voters research and discuss! Democracy takes dilligence.

hadtochangemyname

I agree. If the majority of people want to make uneducated voting decisions, well then they get what they deserve.

There is so much information available to people on where candidates stand on issues, etc, that there is no reason for anyone to make an uneducated vote.

Perhaps instead of voter education, some critical thinking skills should be taught in our schools. I'm amazed at how many people even here pass on urban legends, etc, without bothering to do a simple a "reality check" first.

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MichelleBFT

Every time I see a WARNING type of thread or email the first thingI do is go check Snopes. At least 75% of the time the WARNING is something that could have been clarified with 30 seconds of googling.

ETA that I think I'm just going to follow you around and agree with you this morning, since that seems to be what i"m doing anyhow.

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"And politically correct is the worst term, not just because it’s dismissive, but because it narrows down the whole social justice spectrum to this idea that it’s about being polite instead of about dismantling the oppressive social structure of power.
Fun Fact: When you actively avoid being “PC,” you’re not being forward-thinking or unique. You’re buying into systems of oppression that have existed since before you were even born, and you’re keeping those systems in place."
Stolen.

KookyCurl

This is why I am going into teaching. Specifically history and government.