Members of Congress Should Have Term Limits Essay

When the United States was founded, the theme behind the new government was to establish an efficient system without doling out too much power to any one person. The Founders intended to prevent a rebirth of tyranny, which they had just escaped by breaking away from England. However, when members of Congress such as Tom Foley, who served as a Representative from 1964 through 1995, and Jack Brooks, who served as a Representative from 1952 through 1994, remain in the legislative system for over forty years, it is evident that tyranny has not necessarily been eradicated from the United States (Vance, 1994, p. 429). Term limits are a necessity to uphold the Founders’ intentions, to prevent unfair advantages given to incumbents, and to†¦show more content†¦Today, career politicians are constantly looking for what will aid them in getting reelected. They become more loyal to their campaign fund contributers than to the people whom they represent. This increases the li kelihood of having corrupted politicians in office, as they use the government as a vehicle to further their own career (Kurfirst, 1996, p. 123, 129). George Will, a well-known political journalist, was quoted as saying â€Å"[The] worst feature of professionalism in politics is that it obliterates the proper distance between the representatives and the represented† (Kurfirst, 1996, p. 125). Even James Madison agreed that legislators were meant to represent the people, not hold office as a career. In The Federalist No. 57 (1788), he wrote, â€Å"From this change of men must proceed a change of opinions; and from a change of opinions, a change of measures.† The lack of new faces in Congress today symbolizes that the American legislative branch is straying from its intended purpose. While both houses were intended to have new members regularly with each election, the House of Representatives was especially supposed to change. James Madison wrote, in The Federalist N o. 57 (1788), â€Å"[Representatives] will be taken from that class of citizens which will...be most likely to aim at an ambitious sacrifice of the many and the aggrandizement of the few.† Whereas Senators wereShow MoreRelatedOne Of The Most Prominent Issues Facing The Current United1655 Words   |  7 Pagesis the lack of term limits for Congress members. The lack of limitation creates a system of career politicians that maintain many of the same legislative ideas or principles in Congress for many years, making it hard for changes in legislature to occur. With an aging congress population, many constituents feel out of touch with their representation and the system of seniority in place today allows for little chance of changes occurring without some sort of reformation. Unlimited terms create gridlockRead MoreWhy Congress Should Have Term Limits1607 Words   |  7 PagesIf Congress should have term limits or not has been a long debated question that is suggested as an a mendment to the qualifications division of the Constitution. There are outstanding arguments on both side of the issue 5; unconstitutionality versus limiting power and mixture versus seniority are just a few. Term limits are requirement to upload the founder’s objectives, to inhibit unfair advantages given to resident, and to permit an assembly of additional benefits. Opponents of term limits haveRead MoreThe Current Political Machine For House Incumbents1480 Words   |  6 Pagessixteen percent of Americans were happy with Congress. 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The Framers of the U.S. Constitution recognized this abuse ofRead MoreCongressional Term Limits934 Words   |  4 PagesCongressional terms have no limits. Controversy exists between those who think the terms should be limited and those who believe that terms should remain unlimited. The group that wants to limit the terms argues that the change will promote fresh ideas and reduce the possibility of decisions being made for self-interest. Those who oppose term limits believe that we would sacrifice both the stability and experience held by veteran politicians. They also point out that our election process allowsRead MoreInto:.. Lifelong, What Does This Term Mean To You? According1191 Words   |  5 PagesInto: Lifelong, what does this term mean to you? According to merriam-webster.com lifelong is anything that spans the entire lifetime of an individual. Most of the time this term refers to love, relationships, habits, traditions, and by many politicians their job. Now I know most of you are like I don’t understand you can t think of a job as lifelong because you do not get to keep a job forever? Well according to many of our Congress men and women it is the complete opposite because there isRead MoreTerm Limits1001 Words   |  5 Pagespast, we as citizens see what has worked and what can be improved; Congress is a good example of this. Some may say that Congress is a failure and some may be happy and proud of the way it functions and runs our country. For those who do not approve of it, the idea is to start fresh and get new ideas, people and habits into office. With the way Congress works today, that may not be the easiest tasks. In order to make changes in Congress, time is need ed; a significant change cannot be made over nightRead MoreEssay on Term Limits: We Dont Need Career Politicians660 Words   |  3 Pages Elections, especially of representatives and counselors, should be annual, there not being in the whole circle of the sciences a maxim more infallible than this, where annual elections end, there slavery begins. These great men . . . should be [chosen] once a year — Like bubbles on the sea of matter bourn, they rise, they break, and to the sea return. This will teach them the great political virtues of humility, patience, and moderation, without which every man in power becomes a ravenousRead MoreCongressmen See The Incumbency Advantage As A Blessing1105 Words   |  5 Pagesis clearly evident, and puts the democracy at risk because America was built on the foundation that no one person should fully control the country. Elections are held for our legislators in government to promote the shift in power. It was a leading cause to the creation of the XXII amendment stating that the president can serve two terms max. Each district is hurt by having long-term incumbents because this makes the representative less responsive to his constituents (Friedman 69). The incumbencyRead MoreMexico And Costa Rica Essay1201 Words   |  5 Pagescome up with the idea? What is a term limit you might ask? A term limit is a rule that prevents government officials from serving for more than a certain number of years. These limits reflect the manner in which the common people envision their higher ups. One ancient Athenian legislature, the Boule, placed a one-term limit on service, although the idea argued by the Greek philosopher Aristotle in the fourth century BCE. There were also limits in the first U.S. Congress established under the Articles