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Term Limits for Congress
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Topic Started: Jan 31 2008, 12:27 PM (260 Views)
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Hoss
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Feb 1 2008, 08:34 AM
Post #16
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Don't make me use my bare hands on you.
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- ds9074
- Jan 31 2008, 05:32 PM
- 38957
- Jan 31 2008, 07:02 PM
- ds9074
- Jan 31 2008, 01:23 PM
- 38957
- Jan 31 2008, 06:12 PM
- ds9074
- Jan 31 2008, 12:57 PM
Not that its my Congress but I dont like the idea of term-limits. They never seem very democratic to me and I always feel that they indicate a lack of trust in the judgement of the people.
My suggestions would be
1. Change the voting system for Congressional elections so that smaller parties are not effectively blocked out. Having more than 2 parties would shake things up and keep the big two on their toes. In the UK Parliament for example having a significant third force prevents the big two from entering unchallenged into deals that feather their own nest.
2. Remove the power to set boundaries for Congressional districts from Congress and from partisan politicians in general. There is too much risk that incumbents of both parties will enter into deals to preserve the status quo.
Smaller parties are not blocked, they can run for any office. People want Democrats and Republicans, despite the whining that you hear to the contrary. The congressional districts are set by the state. It is a state's perogative.
Well I would change that State perogative and remove the power to set congressional districts from politicians. You say smaller parties are not blocked. Well in law maybe not but they are in practice. They just dont have the money to compete and a winner takes all, first past the post system puts people off voting for smaller parties.
You would, but the States have that power, not the Federal government. It would take re-writing the constitution, which the states would have to ratify (and I don't see all that happening). You are perhaps not used to the idea of the States having so much authority and belonging to a Union with a (supposedly) limited Federal government. The States have a lot of power within their borders, the constitution sees to that - and I like it that way. Anyway, who would you have do this in thier stead? The UN? :lol: Also, should the losers be allowed to share a congressional seat with the winner? It is winner take all for a house or senate seat. what is wrong with that?
Well I didnt think we were talking in terms of what was politically likely. Afterall how likely is it that Congress would ever vote for term limits on its members, reducing its members pensions or limiting its budgeting ability. These are not likely things to happen. As you say the US constitution is not a document set in stone. Power can by shifted by amendment. In England we have a system where an independent body has been set up by Act of Parliament to review constituency boundaries. That body makes recommendations on changes to boundaries which are then, in normal circumstances, adopted without contention.
Independent? I don't think that you'll find a body of unbiased people.
Without contention? Does this mean that they cannot be contested?
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ds9074
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Feb 1 2008, 08:36 AM
Post #17
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Admiral
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^^^ No it means that the politicians have agreed, in all but exceptional circumstances, to abide by the recommendations of the commission. Surely there must be some people left in America who are not partisan?
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Hoss
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Feb 1 2008, 08:48 AM
Post #18
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Don't make me use my bare hands on you.
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- ds9074
- Feb 1 2008, 08:36 AM
^^^ No it means that the politicians have agreed, in all but exceptional circumstances, to abide by the recommendations of the commission. Surely there must be some people left in America who are not partisan?
Well, there is my 4 year-old daughter, but I am working on her. :lol:
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Dandandat
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Feb 1 2008, 09:09 AM
Post #19
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Time to put something here
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- ds9074
- Feb 1 2008, 08:36 AM
Surely there must be some people left in America who are not partisan?
I would like to think that I am
But then I have to remember that I am the founding member of the Dante Party.
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