Why should congressmen and women have term limits? With an undercurrent of uprising American citizens clamoring for a Convention of States, many new proposed issues and limiting factors for the government have circled through the internet. Not least of all being term limits to Congressmen and women, limiting them to a max of 12 years in a particular office. Here is a very brief list reasons for term limits:
- Allows regular replacements of people who don't live in the "DC Bubble". Many congressmen have campaigned and promised their constituents much in order to be elected, but after many long years at Capitol Hill, politicians seem to lose track of what's happening around the rest of the country. Renewing the office with fresh representatives allows for people from the area to know what the voters want.
- Provides incentive to help their state and federal governments, because they'll be just another average joe dealing with those policies when their term is up. How will legislators vote for increases in taxes or forced health insurance coverage if, once their term is up, they'll be reaping what they sow?
- Incumbent legislators have access to funds that challengers just don't have, creating a steep difficulty curve to campaigning. These funds may come from donors of special interest groups that will want to keep the sitting legislator if they favor their needs, or the party they're affiliated to will want them to stay, but withhold financial support to a challenger.
- Realistically, voters participation is extremely low with congressional elections, and voters will likely vote down party lines. Having new people may increase interest in voting. While I admit this can be a stretch, but it would certainly be interesting to see if this works out like that.
- Allows regular replacements of people who don't live in the "DC Bubble". Many congressmen have campaigned and promised their constituents much in order to be elected, but after many long years at Capitol Hill, politicians seem to lose track of what's happening around the rest of the country. Renewing the office with fresh representatives allows for people from the area to know what the voters want.
- Provides incentive to help their state and federal governments, because they'll be just another average joe dealing with those policies when their term is up. How will legislators vote for increases in taxes or forced health insurance coverage if, once their term is up, they'll be reaping what they sow?
- Incumbent legislators have access to funds that challengers just don't have, creating a steep difficulty curve to campaigning. These funds may come from donors of special interest groups that will want to keep the sitting legislator if they favor their needs, or the party they're affiliated to will want them to stay, but withhold financial support to a challenger.
- Realistically, voters participation is extremely low with congressional elections, and voters will likely vote down party lines. Having new people may increase interest in voting. While I admit this can be a stretch, but it would certainly be interesting to see if this works out like that.
ReplyDeleteIn Brandon Stewart's article "Congressional Term Limits," he gives valid points that explain why congressmen and women should be subject to electoral term limits.
I enjoyed this article because it explains how a few changes could potentially change the dynamic of congress completely. I feel that Stewart hit the nail on the head when he spoke of the "DC Bubble" because we have seen how the needs and wants of the people can get lost in the politics within congress. Though, I do question congressional terms as we may lose valuable knowledge from the more experienced politicians. Those who have experience of the workings of congress may be helpful when drafting new legislation. But without limits one can forget the reason they started and become corrupt and see only inside the "DC Bubble."
As far as voters participation, I do think that congressional terms would increase citizens interest in their congressmen and women, especially, if incumbent legislators lost access to funds, giving newcomers a fair chance. I do not find it fair that those already seated would have access to so much influence and funds that no other plain Jane can compete.
Overall, I do think that congressional term limits should be implemented for the good of our government and the people of our country.
I read Brandon Stewart's Congressional Term Limits and thought it was interesting. I agree with Brandon and believe that Congress men/women, should have term limits. Brandon mentions the unfairness challengers face when running against an incumbent. This is true on many levels especially on a financial level. It is much easier for an incumbent to gain financial backing from other donors or interest groups.
ReplyDeleteIn Brandon's commentary I would liked to have seen an article that was linked to his chosen topic. An article that explained current term limits for congress members would have been informative for a reader that is uninformed. Brandon did a great job of giving reasons for term limits in congress. I am interested and would like to hear what suggestions Brandon would have for the term limits of each office.