Community | September 27, 2010 | 28 comments

Senator, Your days are numbered.

source: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/termlimits

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mitekillem
"Politicians are like diapers; they need to be changed often and for the same reason."
— Mark Twain

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/termlimits

In the time when our founding fathers drafted our Constitution, and created the U.S Government, they did not intend on government service to become a career.
It is the purpose of this petition to be the voice of the people to limit the terms of Senators to two (12 years maximum), and Representatives to six terms (12 years maximum).
(Reelections have stayed above 85% since 1965, and in 2008 are at 94%) - http://www.firetherulingclass.org/ruling.asp

In March 21, 1947, the Twenty-second Amendment (Amendment XXII) was ratified, and so set limits to the office of The President...but none for anyone else.

The last ratified Amendment in the constitution was in 1992, and dealt with issue of their pay raises.

No such limits have been proposed, or ratified for the very people who write the laws which impact our daily lives.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." -Lord Acton

In a time when our nation seems so polarized by either left, or right; this one thing, I hope we all can agree upon.
We do not need members in Congress or the House, who ignore the voice of the people, or who lend an ear to the highest bidder. We do not need Legislators who grow comfortable with their seat, and do all they can to latch on to it.
We need leaders, representatives who heed our voice, and perform a service to the people of these United States.
It is not a seat of power to be used to make oneself a fortune, but should be used to better the lives of all.

I propose this be added as the 28th Amendment of the Constitution. (for the benefit of all)
"
XXViii
Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of Senator more than twice, and no person who has held the office of Senator, or acted as Senator, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected Senator shall be elected to the office of Senator more than twice (two six-year terms). This article shall be retroactive when applied. Those who currently serve as Senator shall stay for the remainder of the term. Those who have served a prior, consecutive term, will not be eligible for reelection. Those who have served two or more prior consecutive terms will also be ineligible for reelection, upon ratification, and there after.

Section 2. No person shall be elected to the office of Representative more than six terms (one term is for two years), and no person who has held the office of Representative, or acted as Representative, for more than eleven years of a term to which some other person was elected Representative shall be elected to the office of Representative more than six terms. This article shall be retroactive when applied. Those who currently serve as Representative shall stay for the remainder of there term. Those who have served a prior six consecutive terms, will not be eligible for reelection. "

Section 3. The terms and length of service for Senators and Representatives shall not be changed or abridged by the United States or by any State. Only a popular vote, won by no less than 85% of US Citizens shall over turn the limits.
  1. groups:
    Community,   US Politics,   Greatest Depression
  2. tags:
    Health,  Obama,  War,  Money,  23 more
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28 comments // Senator, Your days are numbered.

  • Paratus
    • +1
      Paratus  

    • Mark Twain had some great truths.
      The fact is we DO have term limits. We are free to exercise them at the voting box. Perhaps if we take the lobbying and corporate welfare ideas out of Washington we may have more honest elections. That said, I am in favor of establishing term limits because the remedies in my third sentence will not materialize.

    • 1 year ago
  • neocongo
  • mitekillem
    • +1
      mitekillem  
    • neocongo:

      So you're saying that you're perfectly happy with people being in office for 20, 30, or 40+ years?

      This is not sponsored or funded by any party. I'm pretty sure that they really don't want this.
      My goal is have this petition serve as the voice of the people, to finally set terms limits for the Senate and the House....whether they like it or not. It would be the will of the people.

      The reflection of this will, is the price of a signature.
      Is this a new idea...no. Is there a chance we'll see it passed in our life-time...Most certainly.
      How, you ask? By promoting this idea. By getting signatures. By spreading it near and far, and taking one minute to contribute.

      Are you honestly so cynical that you refuse to help.
      Even if it is a long-shot...there is still a chance.

      Also, think of it this way: Republicans often have their own term limits in their "Contract for America", this is our way of making certain that they obey it (instead of backing out).

      ...or would you leave it up to Congress or Obama to make this change?
      If we want change, we have to change it.

      Now that I've started it, let's keep the ball rolling.

    • 1 year ago
  • JohnA
  • Sparky2U
  • bailey78
    • 0
      bailey78  

    • I'm wondering who to vote for. to do it right it's a lot of work. Do some research. then dig around and do some more to find out just how they have voted in the past. just because they say one thing does not mean they are going to vote the same. Oh! and flipping a coin helps too.

    • 1 year ago
  • musicjohnny
  • Dagum
    • +1
      Dagum  

    • I like it. While we are at it, let’s repeal the 17th amendment and return to article I section 3 of the Constitution, allowing State legislatures to select Senators and hold them accountable. That way lobbyist groups will have to buy off an entire state legislature instead of one national Senator whom the everyday person pays no attention to.

    • 1 year ago
  • KSirys
    • +2
      KSirys  

    • 12 years?? HELL NO!! make that 6 and if, which is a big if, they do some good, let the people, not their peers, vote for him/her again.

      These leeches are making millions, while the people that need help are losing homes and their jobs!

    • 1 year ago
  • mitekillem
    • 0
      mitekillem  
    • KSirys:

      Both Senators and Representatives alike earn $174,000 annually. Party Majority and Minority Leaders can earn $193,400 - 223,500, and the Speaker earns193,400.

      I don't think that they can legally receive money directly from a lobbyist or special interest group...but that doesn't mean that they can't receive a "donation" to their "campaign".

      Since Senators would only be able to run twice, and they'd like to get elected for the second term, maybe it will prompt them to be more honest.
      For Representatives...well there's over 200 of them. It's hard to sway that many, plus they're only there for two years at a time. It's a lot easier to get them out of office. ...but at least they won't be there forever.

      Sure, it's a long shot, but I am tired of "politics as usual".
      I also dislike that there is a fraternity-like structure of "good ol' boys" with various groups in the House and the Senate. That is why there is "business as usual". It's because they keep the up status-quo.

      If we put these limits in place, it will shake things up a lot. Senators may only serve 6 years, but at the max 12. Reps may serve 12 in total, but would be less likely. Since we can't just be lazy and vote for the same people over and over again, it will make us more likely to get out there and vote for the person we identify with.

      Even if it comes down to being more randomization, what we will have done is given DC more diversity. ...which is exactly what America is...a huge melting pot.

    • 1 year ago
  • toyotabedzrock
    • +1
      toyotabedzrock  
    • KSirys:

      Thats the hard part how does a society decide who is worthy of office and who isn't?

      Really there needs to be an independent source of information of voters, divide it up into what are this senators plans. Then a separate section that allows them to point out flaws of who they are running against.

      It needs to have the ability to direct people to supporting documents and a non partisan group of people to rate the sources so that no one can just post a website and say thats there supporting documents.

      Also we need to find a way to get voter participation way up. In Australia I think everyone has to vote.

    • 1 year ago
  • toyotabedzrock
    • 0
      toyotabedzrock  
    • KSirys:

      Thats the hard part how does a society decide who is worthy of office and who isn't?

      Really there needs to be an independent source of information of voters, divide it up into what are this senators plans. Then a separate section that allows them to point out flaws of who they are running against.

      It needs to have the ability to direct people to supporting documents and a non partisan group of people to rate the sources so that no one can just post a website and say thats there supporting documents.

      Also we need to find a way to get voter participation way up. In Australia I think everyone has to vote.

    • 1 year ago
  • toyotabedzrock
  • NickerBocker09
    • +1
      NickerBocker09  

    • I've always wondered why this wasnt an amendment. I think they should get rid of the Presidential term limits. These days so much scrutiny and limelight is put on the President that people would probably elect someone else if they truly thought he wasnt doing a good job. But theres hardly any media attention towards Senate, and barely ANY towards representatives, especially since the media these days is much more national. Therefore they should have the term limits.

    • 1 year ago
  • TheForeteller
  • mitekillem
  • TheForeteller
  • bailey78
  • mitekillem
    • 0
      mitekillem  
    • TheForeteller:

      My power comes from my ability to vote, my right to assembly, and freedom of speech.
      All are guaranteed by the US Constitution.

      Also, you have errored in saying that "you all have no real power", when it is precisely ALL OF US who have the power. No just one person, but all persons united under one cause.

      United We Stand.

    • 1 year ago
  • TheForeteller
  • UndoInfluence
    • 0
      UndoInfluence  

    • This does nothing to change the fact that stupid voters will vote in stupid representatives. All this would do would be to ensure we get a constant steady supply of new idiots with no experience. How could you possibly think that would be a good thing?

    • 1 year ago
  • mitekillem
  • Saladin
    • +1
      Saladin  

    • 12 years? Fuck that, make it 8, or even 6.

      While you're at it, just fucking get rid of the senate. It's never done anyone any good.

    • 1 year ago
  • NickerBocker09
  • mitekillem
    • 0
      mitekillem  
    • Saladin:

      Senators have 6 year terms. Two terms = 12 years. The president can only serve a max of two terms. Representatives serve terms of two years. Six terms = 12 years.

    • 1 year ago
  • CalgarC
  • Incredulous
  • mitekillem
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