The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

But what if the reason they screw up the second term is that they are not worrying about re-election and thus are not answerable to the voters anymore?

Impeachment, thought don't look to this bunch in DC for a lesson in how that's supposed to work.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

Impeachment, thought don't look to this bunch in DC for a lesson in how that's supposed to work.

Which is why I'm as angry at the current Democrat led Congress for doing nothing to stop the madness, as I was at the previous Republican Congress for rubber stamping the madness.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

But what if the reason they screw up the second term is that they are not worrying about re-election and thus are not answerable to the voters anymore?

If that's the case allowing only single 4-year terms would have the exact opposite effect you are desiring.

Perhaps a better solution would be to allow Presidents to keep running as long as they like.

I wouldn't mind that, as long as there was an annual or bi-annual election to determine whether or not they should continue serving. That would keep 'em on their toes.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

I wouldn't mind that, as long as there was an annual or bi-annual election to determine whether or not they should continue serving. That would keep 'em on their toes.

Too many elections leads to an elected body whose job is to please the electorate rather than make policy. I know that might sound like a good thing, but the Constitution was written to avoid a direct democracy for a reason. In the short term, the will of the people is a confused mess of immediate gratification. Elected officials need time in office to do their job and make long term plans, they don't need to be riding the fickle whims of the masses.

[Alex]

There is a line of thinking that a lot of the California budget problems have to do with the implementation of term limits and that legislators (and governors) have no strong incentive for considering consequences more than a decade in the future.

[Alex]

That's where I am (though for no reasons connected to the burnout issue). I'm pretty much universally opposed to term limits at any level. Obviously, this one is built into the constitution and isn't such a high priority to me that I'd campaign to change it but if given the opportunity I would vote to repeal the 22nd Amendment.

I feel pretty much the same way about all other "protect the electorate from themselves" eligibility rules for office. So I'd get rid of the age limit and citizenship as well. And for lesser office, residency requirements would also go away.

If the people of Wyoming collectively decide they want their senator to be a 15-year-old who lives in Vermont then why not let them live with their choice?

If a 29-year-old Brazilian can win election to President of the United States, then why not?

If the majority of the people (for the most part) decide that after Bush II, another nine terms of Bill Clinton would be appropriate, then I'm ok with that.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Hah!

[Morrigoon]

Found this amusing. From this article,

Huckabee - and free pancakes - lured more than 400 people to tiny Mason, N.H., Monday morning to hear his populist economic message. The crowd had to be divided into two seatings to hear Huckabee and his campaign sidekick, actor Chuck Norris.

Wow, pancakes AND Chuck Norris. I don't know where to even begin, but there is at least one good joke there.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Found this amusing. From this article,



Wow, pancakes AND Chuck Norris. I don't know where to even begin, but there is at least one good joke there.

Huckabee has the support of both Chuck Norris and Ric Flair. Whom will he nominate to be the Secretary of Cartoon Violence?

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I hear Gulliani is recruiting Jim Nabors...