“In times of economic uncertainty, never ever fuck with another man’s livelihood.” — Joe Pantoliano as “Guido,” in Risky Business
It seems that a Constitutional amendment that would put term limits on federal legislators has been proposed by Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Ralph Norman. While I heartily approve of this proposed amendment and wish it all the success possible, I don’t think it has much of a chance of being ratified. First, it’s unlikely to make it out of Congress; second, it’s even less likely to receive the approval of thirty-eight state legislatures. The reason is the quote above.
Yes, there have been (and are) a few “citizen legislators,” who served one or two terms and returned to private life as doctors, blacksmiths, pimps, what have you. But as time has passed, their number as a percentage of the total has declined. Today, most Congressmen and Senators are good for nothing but being Congressmen and Senators. Were they turned out of their offices in the Capitol Building, they’d be unfit for any honest trade. The shrieks from their spouses to “Get off the couch and do something with yourself!” would begin within hours. They’d probably be back within days as – drum roll, please – lobbyists.
(Do you think Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez still knows how to mix drinks and flirt with drunks? Assuming she ever did, that is. Leave your assessments in the comments.)
So we may reasonably expect that the proposed amendment will be rejected by a comfortable margin. Even a Convention of the States would have a hard time ratifying it, because of the power of seniority. No state wants to give up the seniority of its long-serving legislators. That translates into leadership positions, sought-after committee posts, and face time with the man in the Oval Office.
All that having been said, I’m happy that Cruz and Norman have put forth this proposal. Freedom lovers need to know who our enemies are. If it forces sitting legislators in either House to go on record as against it, we’ll have a good idea against whom primary challenges should be mounted. So I hope the proponents and supporters of the amendment push it as hard and as far as possible.
Any chance they could get some support from President Trump?
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Fran, you and I both know the only way to get rid of congress-critters is not palatable. The grift and corruption are way too deep for them to “do the right thing”. I am not even sure if they know what “the right thing” is any longer.
I did not state what the only way was is because that kind of truth gets people put in prison or worse – into congress. Please note no capitalization – they are not worthy.
I sincerely wish they would do “the right thing” but, know they are not capable of it. I want to see Peelousy and Schittmer et al put in prison but, that is a pipe dream. Just when I see things like this I briefly get some glimmer of hope and then BAM! it is dashed. Think of the show Designated Survivor. I think it is apropos wink wink nod nod.
Term limits are not the answer. At least not just limiting time in one elected office. That sort of term limit: two terms in your elected office was passed in Florida thirty years ago. What tends to happen is that someone gets elected to some state office, puts in their two years as Representative, for example, and then runs for Senate – or vice versa. They tend to get elected to the next office they run for and just move from office to office there in the state capital. I always thought that was due to name recognition but I’ve never seen a real study. Maybe it’s lobbyists or something else?
Perhaps a better approach is two terms in only one state office and then they can never live on the taxpayer dime again?
I propose for your consideration a 2 term limit approach.
One term in office
One term in prison
I’ll do you all one better. EVERYONE working in govt, with an exception for active duty military, should be term limited. Every single damn job. Limit them to 15 or 20 years. Then go to the private sector. Crazy, right? Practically anarchy but there you have it.
I’ve had the same idea. Not trying to one-up you, but I think 15 years is too long. It’s half a working career. One’s real career will be outside the government, so 10 years in civil service is enough.
Need I say education must be returned to the private sector?