So today CNN.com reported that several Republican senators are sponsoring a constitutional amendment that will limit Senators to two terms each and Representatives to three terms each. I personally think this is a terrible idea. The Constitution does not say anything about term limits, and quite frankly I don't see the point. I think the 22nd Amendment is a little silly, why should a President only serve two terms? It was working perfectly fine in the years before that.
But, I think that this proposed Amendment is just totally pointless. Has the Senate been working so poorly that this Amendment is being demanded by the people? Are the people who have served for years in the Senate the worst members of that body? The answer to both these is, of course, no. Ted Kennedy, who is considered by both Republicans and Democrats to be one of the best Senators ever, served for 47 years.
The best part of this whole ludicrous story is that one of the co-sponsors of the bill is Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is a strong support of a Senator only serving two terms, and just happens to be in the middle of her third term. Can we say hypocrisy ladies and gentlemen? Her spokesman, who is probably trying to get on Jon Stewart, made this statement
"Throughout her career she has fought for term limits and continues to do so, and that is why she is co-sponsoring this bill, But until it is passed, it would do a disservice to Texas and the people of Texas to do away with the seniority she has gained, unless all the states and all of the senators hold themselves to the same standard."
So, she is for term limits, except when she's against them. Incidentally Sen. Hutchison is expected to resign her seat next year to run for Governor of Texas. So this bill won't impact her.
This is a bad idea that seems to serve no purpose. The long serving Senators and Representatives are normally the best. If the people don't like their Congresspeople, they will vote them out of office. That this crazy new idea known as, oh what's the word...Oh yes, DEMOCRACY!! Stop messing with the Constitution.
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While I think that there are long term senators (Kennedy) who do a good job, I think there are plenty who get re-elected because people are just too passive to think about their vote (Senator Dole from NC). I don't know if there should be term limits, but people should think before they vote!
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