See other Dead Constitution Articles
Title: End presidential term limits
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URL Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opini ... 3-ba82-16ed03681809_print.html
Published: Nov 30, 2013
Author: Jonathan Zimmerman
Post Date: 2013-11-30 12:29:27 by farmfriend
Keywords: None
Views: 352
Comments: 18
By Jonathan Zimmerman, Published: November 28 Jonathan Zimmerman is a professor of history and education at New York University. His books include “Small Wonder: The Little Red Schoolhouse in History and Memory.” In 1947, Sen. Harley Kilgore (D-W.Va.) condemned a proposed constitutional amendment that would restrict presidents to two terms. “The executive’s effectiveness will be seriously impaired,” Kilgore argued on the Senate floor, “ as no one will obey and respect him if he knows that the executive cannot run again.” I’ve been thinking about Kilgore’s comments as I watch President Obama, whose approval rating has dipped to 37 percent in CBS News polling — the lowest ever for him — during the troubled rollout of his health-care reform. Many of Obama’s fellow Democrats have distanced themselves from the reform and from the president. Even former president Bill Clinton has said that Americans should be allowed to keep the health insurance they have. Or consider the reaction to the Iran nuclear deal. Regardless of his political approval ratings, Obama could expect Republican senators such as Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and John McCain (Ariz.) to attack the agreement. But if Obama could run again, would he be facing such fervent objections from Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.)? Probably not. Democratic lawmakers would worry about provoking the wrath of a president who could be reelected. Thanks to term limits, though, they’ve got little to fear. Nor does Obama have to fear the voters, which might be the scariest problem of all. If he chooses, he could simply ignore their will. And if the people wanted him to serve another term, why shouldn’t they be allowed to award him one? That was the argument of our first president, who is often held up as the father of term limits. In fact, George Washington opposed them. “I can see no propriety in precluding ourselves from the service of any man who, in some great emergency, shall be deemed universally most capable of serving the public,” Washington wrote in a much-quoted letter to the Marquis de Lafayette. Washington stepped down after two terms, establishing a pattern that would stand for more than a century. But he made clear that he was doing so because the young republic was on solid footing, not because his service should be limited in any way. The first president to openly challenge the two-term tradition was Theodore Roosevelt, who ran for a third term as president in 1912 on the Bull Moose ticket. When he stepped down in 1908, Roosevelt pledged not to seek a third term; reminded of this promise in 1912, he said that he had meant he would not seek a “third consecutive term.” The New York Times called Roosevelt’s explanation a “pitiful sophistication,” and the voters sent Woodrow Wilson to the White House. Only in 1940, amid what George Washington might have called a “great emergency,” did a president successfully stand for a third term. Citing the outbreak of war overseas and the Depression at home, Democrats renominated Franklin D. Roosevelt. They pegged him for a fourth time in 1944 despite his health problems, which were serious enough to send him to his grave the following year. To Republicans, these developments echoed the fascist trends enveloping Europe. “You will be serving under an American totalitarian government before the long third term is finished,” warned Wendell Wilkie, Roosevelt’s opponent in 1940. Once the two-term tradition was broken, Wilkie added, nobody could put it back together. “If this principle dies, it will be dead forever,” he said. That’s why the GOP moved to codify it in the Constitution in 1947, when a large Republican majority took over Congress. Ratified by the states in 1951, the 22nd Amendment was an “undisguised slap at the memory of Franklin D. Roosevelt,” wrote Clinton Rossiter, one of the era’s leading political scientists. It also reflected “a shocking lack of faith in the common sense and good judgment of the people,” Rossiter said. He was right. Every Republican in Congress voted for the amendment, while its handful of Democratic supporters were mostly legislators who had broken with FDR and his New Deal. When they succeeded in limiting the presidency to two terms, they limited democracy itself. “I think our people are to be safely trusted with their own destiny,” Sen. Claude Pepper (D-Fla.) argued in 1947. “We do not need to protect the American people with a prohibition against a president whom they do not wish to elect; and if they wanted to elect him, have we the right to deny them the power?” It’s time to put that power back where it belongs. When Ronald Reagan was serving his second term, some Republicans briefly floated the idea of removing term limits so he could run again. The effort went nowhere, but it was right on principle. Barack Obama should be allowed to stand for re election just as citizens should be allowed to vote for — or against — him. Anything less diminishes our leaders and ourselves. Read more about this issue: Thomas E. Mann: Want to end partisan politics? Here’s what won’t work, and what will Robert J. Samuelson: Why we no longer trust government Letter: After shutdown debacle, it’s time for term limits Zachary A. Goldfarb: How we misread the numbers that dominate our politics End presidential term limits
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#1. To: farmfriend (#0)
One six-year term and out.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
He has been doing that now for five years. As for the rest of the article I just have to say that the author must be one of the dumbest sob's in the world--a filho da puta. Paul Craig Roberts
well we are talking about a leftie. LOL A study group recently released its findings as to the best presidents of the United States of America. Obama has been rated as the 4th best president ever: Reagan and 9 others tied for first, 15 presidents tied for second, 18 tied for third, and Obama came in fourth. Anyone who is stupid enough to believe that Obama "deserves" four more years is too stupid to be running around loose. He should be in a mental institution where they can look after his dumb ass.
Paul Craig Roberts
Damned right... The South got it right the first time. One six year term and out you go. VOTERS CANNOT BE TRUSTED, THEY ARE TOO STUPID. One man stayed in congress until he was a hundred, other scum have stayed fifty years or more. It is not often mentioned, but FDR was so sure of the stupidity of the voters that he did NOT CAMPAIGN for his last election. Sure enough the voters were stupid enough to vote for him.
How old was Byrd when he kicked? A study group recently released its findings as to the best presidents of the United States of America. Obama has been rated as the 4th best president ever: Reagan and 9 others tied for first, 15 presidents tied for second, 18 tied for third, and Obama came in fourth. 127 :)
#2. To: farmfriend (#0)
Nor does Obama have to fear the voters, which might be the scariest problem of all. If he chooses, he could simply ignore their will.
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
#3. To: James Deffenbach (#2)
As for the rest of the article I just have to say that the author must be one of the dumbest sob's in the world--a filho da puta
#4. To: farmfriend (#3)
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
#5. To: Lod (#1)
One six-year term and out.
#6. To: Cynicom (#5)
One man stayed in congress until he was a hundred,
#7. To: farmfriend (#6)
How old was Byrd when he kicked?
>
-Alex Kurtagic
#8. To: farmfriend (#0)
His health problems were hidden from Americans by the MSM. They pegged him for a fourth time in 1944 despite his health problems
>-Alex Kurtagic
#9. To: X-15 (#8)
that was how it was done back then. LMAO. good answer. His health problems were hidden from Americans by the MSM.
127 :)
A study group recently released its findings as to the best presidents of the United States of America. Obama has been rated as the 4th best president ever: Reagan and 9 others tied for first, 15 presidents tied for second, 18 tied for third, and Obama came in fourth.
#10. To: farmfriend (#6)
Bryd was just short of 100 if I recall. Ted Kennedy spent near 50 years in government. Ron Paul was a term limits champion, he spent 22 years. I think Rangel (sp) is near 60 years in Congress.
#11. To: Lod (#1)
One four-year term (like the Constitution says) and then out -- or out immediately if they violate the Constitution. One six-year term and out.
-------
"They're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time." -- Col. Puller, USMC
#12. To: Cynicom, Lod (#10)
ok according to wiki he was 92 when he died and was the longest serving congress person in the history of the US.
A study group recently released its findings as to the best presidents of the United States of America. Obama has been rated as the 4th best president ever: Reagan and 9 others tied for first, 15 presidents tied for second, 18 tied for third, and Obama came in fourth.
#13. To: farmfriend (#12)
Byrd was the perfect example of the professional politician, a man that will do anything to gain position, power and wealth, then die trying to hold onto it. Byrd was demoted by his own party but did not have the grace to retire and go away. Hang on until the Grim Reaper decided it. ok according to wiki he was 92 when he died and was the longest serving congress person in the history of the US.
#14. To: Cynicom (#5)
It's not the voters. It's the system. It's busted beyond repair. I'd seriously favor returning to a democratic monarchy. It's basically no worse than what we have now, and on the chance a good guy gets in, he alone can do a lot of good. It's pretty much what Ecuador has right now. VOTERS CANNOT BE TRUSTED, THEY ARE TOO STUPID.
#15. To: Pinguinite (#14)
True... I dislike using the word "stupid" but there seems to be no other more fitting. For instance.... The Founding Fathers gave us the perfect mechanism for ridding ourselves of such a government as we have now. Every two years the voters are able to REPLACE THE ENTIRE HOUSE at one fell swoop. One year from now we could send all of the scum in the House packing, every last one of them. Never happen. We have millions of voters that still cling to the brain washing that we have two parties. Take your pick, one or the other is good, the other bad. So, until someone suggests another description, voters are STUPID. It's not the voters. It's the system. It's busted beyond repair.
#16. To: Cynicom, Pinguinite (#15)
So, until someone suggests another description, voters are STUPID. I would not so much say stupid as brainwashed. Through generations of deliberate disinforming, misinforming, and degradation of literacy the vast majority of the Sheeple have been pushed into the position of believing that lies are truths, and that the paid for psychopathic Whores of CONgriss as well as they firmly controlled McNews are operating in "the public interest". Throw in corrupt (s)Elections, psychopathic We have millions of voters that still cling to the brain washing that we have two parties. Take your pick, one or the other is good, the other bad.
Police Enforcers with military equipment to keep the slaves from rebelling, and you have a mix which is headed straight down into oblivion, or a true Hell. And that is the way it is. Until we start hanging Bankers this will continue. Unfortunately most people have been so brainwashed that they are incapable of seeing the reality of their plight.
"“Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings - that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.” ~ Gautama Siddhartha — The Buddha
Any sufficiently advanced stupidity is indistinguishable from evil. ~ Unk (Paraphrase of Clarke's 3rd Law: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.")
#17. To: Original_Intent (#16)
True, however, sadly, far too many do not understand the term brain washed. Then throw in programming and we have millions of robots wandering around believing anything and everything this criminally corrupt government does. As we speak, the ground work for war is being laid in Asia, with China our adversary of choice this time. Try to interest people in what is happening and I get a vacant stare. I would not so much say stupid as brainwashed.
#18. To: Cynicom (#17)
Like Cattle walking up the slaughterhouse Chute they have a vague idea that something is not quite right. Of course that nice "anchor" on the Telly is soooooooo believable, and they have their heads sooooo buried, that they cannot see the gun being placed next to the head of their children and loved ones until it goes pitch black. They keep closing and scrunching their eyes hoping that they will wake up from the nightmare that is threatening to make this planet desolate and uninhabitable. Try to interest people in what is happening and I get a vacant stare.
"“Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings - that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.” ~ Gautama Siddhartha — The Buddha
Any sufficiently advanced stupidity is indistinguishable from evil. ~ Unk (Paraphrase of Clarke's 3rd Law: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.")
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