Congressional Term Limits

Articles

Nelson Walker

Congressional Term Limits
Dec 29, 2003

Having made a few posts toward reviving a discussion on Congressional Term Limits, and receiving a few responses that do not serve to stimulate debate, I will now attempt to provide more meat to serve the appetites of the more venturesome of the post readers.

Most of the responses seem to dwell on objections, such as ‘the loss of voter’s right to choose’, and the ‘loss of truly worthy incumbents’. However, when I review the overall arguments, I find that the arguments in favor of term limits far outnumber those against. Let’s see if anyone can come up with additional reasons to add to the ‘against’ list below (or reasons ‘in favor’ as well).

IN FAVOR OF TERM LIMITS:

1. Builds ‘citizen’ Congress vs career politicians.

2. Breaks ties to special interests, lobbyists.

3. Destroys seniority/enhances meritocracy.

4. Improves timeliness of Congress’s thinking.

5. Eliminates power of ‘old bulls’ caucus.

6. Introduces fresh thinking, new ideas.

7. Improves tendency to vote on principle.

8. Reduces power of staff, bureaucracy.

9. Increases competition among candidates.

OPPOSED TO TERM LIMITS:

1. Eliminates the good along with the bad.

2. Reduces the freedom of voters to choose.

3. Increases the power of staff, bureaucracy.

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Email Nelson Walker: nels96@pacbell.net

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