Term Limits In The United States
The United States is a representative democracy. The goal of a representative democracy is to allow new blood to flow through the government each election cycle. This goal, however, is achieved less and less in modern times due to the re-election of many career politicians. These career politicians then spend their next term engaging in activities that will better their chances of re-election, rather than helping their constituents. For this reason, an overwhelming majority of incumbents at the national level get re-elected each term (Sincere, 1995). In effect, local and federal governments in the US suffer from political inaction and constituent dissatisfaction. The best way to combat this situation is to place term limits on all political
…show more content…
The founding fathers created the US government to be one of limited power and rule by the people. This rule by the people was meant to prevent a singular person from wielding all the power. Term limits would limit the amount of time in which a representative could rule, preventing any one person from remaining in power. Furthermore, political author George Will (1992) writes, “term limits were included among the 15 resolutions of the Virginia Plan submitted to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia,” but weren’t included in the constitution because the measure was considered too detailed (p. 2). Lastly, no constitutional law expressly outlaws term limits. Term limits, therefore, are wholly constitutional.
Term limits in the US government would stimulate political progress. Limiting the number of times a politician may run for office would force representatives to focus less on re-election and more on accomplishing goals. In fact, representatives at lower levels of government report increased levels of decisiveness when facing term limits. Additionally, term limits would increase competition for political offices (Steen, 2006). This competition would allow the best candidates to serve in office. Better candidates in office would make for better
The founding fathers created the US government to be one of limited power and rule by the people. This rule by the people was meant to prevent a singular person from wielding all the power. Term limits would limit the amount of time in which a representative could rule, preventing any one person from remaining in power. Furthermore, political author George Will (1992) writes, “term limits were included among the 15 resolutions of the Virginia Plan submitted to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia,” but weren’t included in the constitution because the measure was considered too detailed (p. 2). Lastly, no constitutional law expressly outlaws term limits. Term limits, therefore, are wholly constitutional.
Term limits in the US government would stimulate political progress. Limiting the number of times a politician may run for office would force representatives to focus less on re-election and more on accomplishing goals. In fact, representatives at lower levels of government report increased levels of decisiveness when facing term limits. Additionally, term limits would increase competition for political offices (Steen, 2006). This competition would allow the best candidates to serve in office. Better candidates in office would make for better