Are term limits the answer to career politicians and corruption?

Question

It's commonly known that corruption in Washington only tends to occur after a politician has been there awhile.

I guess corruption by human nature stems out of power.

Would putting a cap on their terms, alleviate this problem?

I'm sure willing to try it.

Answer 1

YES! The founding fathers never meant for there to be career politicians--only career supreme court justices who would never need to prostitute themselves out for re-election.

Term limits will never happen because the people who would lose out are the people who need to approve the idea. Term limits were approved in my state by the voters, then, unexplainably, our overwhelmingly Republican state congress overturned it!

A government by the politicians, for the politicians, and of the politicians.

Answer 2

The real solution to corruption is to put in jail politicians who take money from anyone who isn't their constituent.

If politicians were limited to only taking money from those they are supposed to represent, with caps on those contributions, then I feel it would go a long way to cleaning up the system. They could no longer be swayed by foreign powers and multinational corporations that currently get the ear of our elected representatives over the demands of the people.

Answer 3

Term limits has worked in the legislator in Michigan, Two terms for the senators and Governor and I think three terms for the house and you are out. The reason I know it is working is both party's are bitc hing about it. Must be good if both party's don't like it. I think it would help congress to have term limits as the longer they are there the more powerful they become, as you say more corrupt, and that would also answer your question on seniority assignments. I am with you on this one.

Answer 4

There are caps on some terms, like president....but I think that it might actually work the other way around. if there is no chance of running again, we get lame ducks who get nothing done except hastily passing their own agendas and refusing to balance budgets (like the recent 109th congress). I think we need more campaign reform, to make these people represent the people's interests, and not special interests that have the money. Also, Supreme Court Justices are APPOINTED for LIFE, and I can't remember the last time they had controversy...Clarence Thomas (BEFORE he was on the supreme court) and some others who have been criticized, but not scandalized. Of course, as always, I could be wrong on that ;)

Answer 5

We already have term limits on politicians. They are called elections. Term limits do nothing but foster an enviroment where the staff of the politician is the institutional history, in effect, the staff becomes more powerful than the politician.

The real problem stems from accountibility of voters and citizens. Forming neighborhood groups to oust bad politicians is a good place to start, however always remember that the person you know, is sometimes better than the one you don't.

Answer 6

No,Charge them with Treason against the country.No more Judicial Immunity,No Voting yourselves a raise,No More Private Social Security.They become corrupt because they are above the Law.Like Judges,Da's and Cops .That's what happens when your not held accountable for your actions,like the peons are.This system might be great,but there is a lot in there that will make you puck.Sick and tired of parasitic politicians on the backs of the poor.

Answer 7

I think the answer is for people to vote more responsibly. If they want to vote corrupt they will vote corrupt time and time again anyway.

However, there could be rules about whether someone could serve if they had too many violations of ethics. The media could highlight each violation stating how many times they could violate ethics again. This may be too general but I think it would help. As it is now they can violate ethics forever unless they choose to stop down on their own.

Answer 8

It could not hurt!

It is supposed to be a Government of the People, by the People and for the People.

We now have a Government of the Politicians, by the lobbyists, and for the special interests.

That goes for Republicans AND Democrats BOTH!

Answer 9

it is irrelevent. Corruption isn't led to by using the quantity of time politicians are in workplace. Corruption is led to by using the electorate permitting government to have too plenty ability with too little oversite.

Answer 10

Yes. There should always be different people in office. 1 term thats all they need. Then we have a government that is actually represented by the people. New ideas, new voices, things would be accomplished because they wouldnt be worrying about pleasing so and so to get re elected.