redbonehound123
374356
11425
482
Jan 20, 2017 7:11 PM
redbonehound123
374356
11425
482
maniacalmacaroni
Campaign finance reform is more important.
apercent
Term limits would just put in new corrupt people and we'd get a lot less done
DukeDark
Everyone involved is irrevocably corrupt right now, and have been for decades. Bribery is essentially legal in America.
tuereself
Forget term limits, just vote the useless fool's out of office.
acosenti
If you don't like your representation, go vote. Or better yet, put your name on the ballot.
Piscivore
And corrupt bankers have held sway from Wall Street since the 19th century.
myhappyanonplace
That's why voting in all elections not just presidential ones are important
KevinMenzel
Stop trying to bug fix your outdated democracy. America is like the one kid running CP/M while everyone else has like... QNX.
Anfalicious
No presidential term limits would mean Obama would be having his third inauguration today. Jus' sayin...
madetheaccountjustforyou
Oh look, a bunch of people who don't understand why there aren't term limits already.
Notme68
He's right, the real problem is gerrymandering.
DukeDark
No, the problem is that bribery is totally legal in American politics.
ClearBlue
True at state and local government also. Arguably the state and local officials have more impact on your daily life than federal officials.
IreallyMGur
His DoJ, EPA & other dpmts will also do extreme damage by ignoring any & all corruption or regressive laws at any state or local levels
Phaggotboy
Haha, no. Michigan has term limits and its corrupt as shit
jdbtl
Political scientists are pretty unanimous: term limits are terrible and make corruption. Don't be like Trump. Don't ignore the experts.
8213641987365983276598265
Thank God for trump.
TimeFoDat
Forget term limits, let's address the fact that 80/100 senators are voted in by less than 45% of the population.
Jamesly139
Isnt setting term limits for house/senate something Trump wanted to do once upon a time? Did I imagine that?
wonder89
No, you heard it right, but later in the speech he said he was against it, and has always been against it.
Cal1te
This is the exact shit Trump is campaigning to resolve...
JessiLeeMraz
Trump promised term limits in the campaign but it's never going to happen
zma123456
"I only vote for the president which means I'm politically active and I know a lot about politics" - person who can't name a single senator.
UraniusCrack
This is why I'm in favor of mandatory voting, or at least opt-out voting
wonder89
You just described about 90% of the people. That is, of the 50% of Americans that actually vote.
SirBrendan
That's a really weird thing for a person to say....
sugarwax
I worry about why people keep voting these assholes in for 30 or 40 years.
Dontyouforgetitdirt
Blind party loyalty
chiefs86
"Psssssssssh! It's not *MY* Senator who is the problem! It's everyone else who keeps voting in *THEIR* shitty Senators!"
MrNight48
oh don't worry I'm coming for dat ass in Nov. 2018. Coming for their jobs like they about to come for mine.
HoneyandFire
I've asked imgur like a billion times and never get an answer. How do I vote for Congress?
tempes156
This right here would be an amazing thing to fix...both parties suck.
adelaide153
That's OK, many Americans probably think the Capitol building is the White House anyway.
HippoLover85
Get rid of lobbyists and get money out of politics (no campaign contributes at all, 100% publicly funded), then we can talk term limits.
MindOfMobius
Term limits won't stop corruption.
ChrisLucas1
getting rid of lobbyists would be far better. I mean that's what ex politicians normally become after all.
graygrif
Lobbyists are needed to help get business done. Most bills are long and have many implications to them. How do you, as a Member of 1/?
graygrif
Congress read each bill that is presented, the supporting information, stay abreast of any changes, and make a decision when you also 2/?
graygrif
are responsible to your district. You really can't, even if you consider the staff each member gets. But, you have a large number of 3/?
graygrif
lobbyists who will read the bills and present their opinion of them. Politicians take all these lobbyists opinions to help them make the 4/?
apageofthedarkhold
I figured that why we DIDNT have term limits.
WhyNotUncleIroh
Bullets might.
degenerator
Do you represent the bullet lobby? Corruption!
[deleted]
[deleted]
handgrenade
Wrong. They increase corruption, so they do hurt.
IWasInThePool
Yes it can. Term limits remove power from the people (via their reps), not the wealthy or their lobbyists.
[deleted]
[deleted]
IWasInThePool
I don't follow what you mean.
MindOfMobius
Suppose I can afford to buy a new corporate legislator every election, term limits wouldn't impact my ability to do so.
TheHummusAmongUs
Setting term limits never gets passed for the same reason they get raises...guess who votes on it.
MrHumberfloob
You would have to set the limit, then grandfather any sitting politician from said limit. A new Congress in 15 20 years with limits.
PoppaBigBear
There's more than one way to get laws passed.
aceebro
Term limits shift the power from elected officials to lobbyists and unelected chiefs of staff.
LetsTrythisImgurThingout
Thank you.
azazyel
And to change it you'd need a Constitutional amendment which would take 2/3 of both House and Senate
IAmJuanSanchezVillalobosRamirez
Or a constitutional convention and a 3/4 ratification of the states
azazyel
Again, the last time that happened was?
IAmJuanSanchezVillalobosRamirez
1787 but that one turned out well
YamatoIouko
Oh yeah? How well?
SidneyHarbor
You can do it by state congress though without ever getting the federal congress to agree to it, so it's not impossible.
flikrdoodles
An individual state agreeing to that just makes that state weaker politically. It might even be hard to do it that way.
SidneyHarbor
No, I mean constitutional amendments. Once 39 (I think?) agree to it, it becomes a new amendment for all states. Potentially doable.
flikrdoodles
Oh, right right. Forgot a lot of my civics class, sorry.
KangInDaNarth
I think they already sent out a bill for it and that it won't be retroactive.
BeringerRD
I agree but it's still worth fighting for.
SolictedDickPicsUponRequest
Term limits makes for inexperienced reps and long serving lobbyist. The cure is worst than the disease! Look at California, pls.
Andolomar
You never know, they might vote on it. In '99 the Lords voted to abolish hereditary peerages (becoming a Lord). Before that you could be...
Andolomar
... literally born into government. The next generation of congressional politicians might have some nous, and vote for term limits.
Floppywok
Well it did get passed, but the supreme court deemed it unconstitutional
adr1an
We really need separation of state powers, the legislature making rules for executive and judiciary makes sense, it should not for itself.
Fuckweasel
Yes, they vote on their salary. However, any changes made only apply to the next congress.
Reefermaddness3000
Sadly true
Ihave6cats
Finally, people that see the real issue! The president can only do so much.
DahPanda72
They Congress has term limits Holy fuck how many people don't know this
IAmJuanSanchezVillalobosRamirez
There's a fix for that called a constitutional convention. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_Five_of_the_United_States_Constitution
superseriouscomments
Is it me? Do I vote on it? I hope I didn't bungle it.
TheThirdKindofHeat
And we got an Amendment passed to make them go through an election cycle before they can enjoy the benefits of any raises.
LetsTrythisImgurThingout
Term limits are a great theory but would be terrible in practice for senate/house
LetsTrythisImgurThingout
More for the house.
nanyatenyaa
You can vote them out...
nanyatenyaa
The citizens are the idiots who keep voting then back in. It's not like they are nobles appointed, they can be voted out.
YourMemeSucksHarderThanaDyson
Make a test for voting. Like if you can name 3 things that your candidate voted on while in office you're allowed the vote to re-elect them.
DoctorMantisTobogganMD
That said. If enough actual people rose up and demanded it I doubt the federal government is going to be able to deny it.
azazyel
You bet your ass they would
keyserv
They already have term limits. They're called elections.
slizzo
Stfu mitch
mrmeeseekslookatmee
Exactly. We don't need term limits we need to stop gerrymandering by one party or another
lukelorian
Encumbants win something like 85 percent of elections. Term limits prevent the same names from staying. Though gerrymandering is also big
Findilis
Do not know why you are being down voted it is true. And for the people down voting you keep in mind the tea party was all new blood too.
PeaTearGriffon
Incumbents have a YUGE advantage over any newcomer in elections.
Randomman96
to the fact that they don't have the money to do these large campaigns that the one's currently in office do.
Newthoenikker
Sooooo it's harder to get the information, but it's there. As citizens it's our responsibility to do the research. Even if it's hard.
Randomman96
You know why he's being downvoted? Because even election's won't really get them out. You won't hear about other candidates simple due --
Findilis
Do not know why you are being down voted it is true. And for the people down voting you keep in mind the tea party was all new blood too.
Dayrest
Surely individual states could vote on term limits for their respective reps. No?
ThySausagePrince
Mixing federal and state laws. No, they can't.
SwirlyMcGirly
Colorado and a few other states tried this. It was ruled unconstitutional as state rules can't be stricter than federal in this case.
SwirlyMcGirly
US Term Limits v. Thornton I believe
azazyel
No they cannot
donkeymoney
Well...they could via the primary process.
azazyel
What? To get term limits you'd need to amend the Constitution
actuallynotirate
I guess s/he is tryna say 'vote them out' because that has worked so well so far..........
bigeasy44
Could an executive order be passed or is that out of the president's scope?
Woddee
Order 66
Caulflower83
I am the senate
SwirlyMcGirly
I just watched this on a plane. It's just as bad as I remembered.
rtillerson1
Seriously?
Aussieausti
Yes seriously, he is the senate
Caulflower83
Yes dude, wouldn't have said it if I wasn't.
rtillerson1
can we be friends? one day I wanna be in you.
Caulflower83
Lets
rtillerson1
I will give you the bill
nominaltoactual2
Get elected for about 170k a year two terms later you're a multi millionaire.
SBRover3
*screeches*
AnEliteSandwich
*does a 900 from prone*
yja13
Dew et Anekin
TheTinmen
UNLIMITED POWUHH!!
LarfleezePlz
naturenick
It's treason then *Does a 920 flip while screeching like an unholy demon*
YamatoIouko
Not much you can do to prepare a defense against that.
HaramBe4any1else
Ninthskull
I have seen it but can't remember what it's from... mind pointing me in the right direction?
HaramBe4any1else
It was a meme that was based on Revenge of the Sith. Palpatine jumping from his chair to insta kill 2 jedi masters.
DurendaI
Holy shit you remember.
jesusisherelookbusy
Not yet.
YamatoIouko
Well, look who thinks he's a bad motherfucker.
WingKongXchange
I AM THE TABLE
Nabashin
You know I always wanted to know exactly how badly I injured that guy was.
votfgz
yes
GhostlyIdjit
UNLIMITED POWER
PlantyThePlant
CharlesFuckingBronson
Just wait 54 days (Ides of March)
Swiftninja
But have you heard about the tragedy if Darth Plageus
Ninthskull
...the wise
CosmicSombrero
I thought not. It is not a story the Jedi would tell you.
afbrew135
its a Sith legend you know...
HmmICantThinkOfACleverUsernameRightNow
I know I voted for Caulflower83.
Caulflower83
Always nice to meet a loyal follower, now let the hate flow through you..
UltraS0ul
I had to login just to upvote this
Vicissitude
UNLIMITED TEEEEEEEERMS!
Kmurf
I am the Walrus
Caulflower83
Ku ku ki choo
cwispy
DO IT
MarkoFromTropoja
Not yet!
tryhardtechy1169
it's treason then... *sparks up light saber*
TheConMane
*uuuuuooooooahhhhhhhhh*
InwardErection
DEWIT
windex
Dredd?
anvil
Is that part of Trapper Keeper?
MrShifty
Felextheminimal
No you are a cruciferous vegetable
CallmeMefford
Said Rome.
TheOneTrueOpinion
user name does not check out
TheBestDamnUsername
I'm going to steal the declaration of independence
Whatupguyshowisitgoing
I am the house
handgrenade
Term limits are useless. Look up places where they imposed them like Michigan, they INCREASED lobbyism and dodgy fundraising.
Anfalicious
Of course. No term limits, work to get re-elected. Term limits, work to get re-employed.
HUFLPUF
That's one instance. Are there others that, together, would show a pattern?
Phaggotboy
Arkansas
aceebro
California.
flarflarf
yep. in large, the "throw the bums out" attitude is what has handed our government over to lobbyists.
flarflarf
what would YOUR job be like if *everyone* there had only been there for 6 months?
armeggedonCounselor
Term limits would make corruption worse, not better, because it would cause power to shift toward people without term limits: lobbyists.
frogbog
Also enlarge the role of parties, party financing, and lead to the loss of know-how and skill
TristanMrH
as opposed to how it is now, with lobbyists having no power at all...
ThySausagePrince
But lobbyists wouldn't have 30 years to corrupt a position.
SudoNimm
Spot on. And as everyone else has noted, get the money out of politics and we have a chance.
ArcaneConjecture
Maybe. But it might make the corporations buy 5 politicians every 20 years instead of one for 20 years.
idislikecomingupwithuniqueusernames
In what concept of reality is that better?
ArcaneConjecture
Not sure. They'd have to spend more, I guess. I'm not in favor of term limits...publicly-funded campaigns is actually a better idea.
idislikecomingupwithuniqueusernames
I can't honestly say I have a better idea. You'd have to limit super pacs and similar organizations though :(
EmperorDurrell
CoBr2
1 That presumes that someone leaves government the moment their term is up. Do 6 years House, then 12 Senate, and you're almost to same time
CoBr2
2 That they'd normally get, while at the same time cutting out the ones not good enough for senate or higher (pres/governor)
chiefs86
The clear solution to dealing with lobbyists is to put a hard cap on the amount of funds that may be spent during an election.
chiefs86
(2) This has a two-fold effect. One: It makes sure an election isn't decided by who spent more. Two: Decreases lobbyist influence.
idislikecomingupwithuniqueusernames
That's entirely meaningless after Citizens United and the rise of super PACs.
DukeDark
Only a constitutional ammendment can fix the ass fucking we got from the citizens united SC decision.
chiefs86
You have a valid point, obviously there would have to be some clear ruling on third party political advertising from a non-candidate.
GHDUDE17
And since apparently we're just going to elect them now instead of make them pay some other guy to be there.
armeggedonCounselor
For any new Senator or Congressman, there will always be a period where they're still learning the job. Without term limits, they get
wonder89
Not having term limits is a necessary evil to make the system work best. And you're right-the real evil in all elections is gerrymandering/
jucyblucy
And voter apathy
armeggedonCounselor
help from more senior Legislators. With term limits? They get help from the people with the most experience, which will end up being
armeggedonCounselor
lobbyists. What we need is not term limits. What we need is a fix to gerrymandering, and voters that actually pay attention and hold
armeggedonCounselor
their representatives responsible. What we need are representatives who are accountable to their voters above all else.
TemetNosce000
So much this
segfaultytowers
Any more of those sensible arguments and I'm going to have to report your account
MouseTheFooDog
daiconrad
And career civil servants i.e., bureaucrats.
Deoan
Make any acceptance of any gift, including *lunch* punishable as treason for any elected or appointed official. Lobbying minimizes quick.
Deoan
Campaign costs paid by set amount from gov't for all parties that got over .1% of the vote last election, no private donations allowed.
TraitorousTrump3
Good in theory. But in practice, Trump has half a dozen different ways of treason and became president.
Deoan
Take away the ability for the rich to buy power and maybe someone will find a spine and start prosecuting these violations.
TraitorousTrump3
Gotta explain exactly how to do so. Because as far as I can see, there isn't really any way. Vote new guys in? they get bribed real quick.
Deoan
They get bribed on the way in. Not likely under our current framework. Don't have a how, just a wish list.
HypnoChanger
Funny that "student athletes" are held to a higher "anti-corruption" standard than our politicians in that regard.
Deoan
Funny / Terrifying. Tomato / Tomahto.
MancrushonThor
So term limits with lobby reforms?
superdupertrooper
Term limits kick out skilled legislators and strengthen the permanent political types. Ditching gerrymandering means pols must respond 1/
superdupertrooper
To voters' preferences or lose their jobs. It accomplisbes healthy turnover without firing good people
ChemicalG
As far as I knew the whole term limits also included heavy restrictions on lobbyists as well like how long after they leave congress
DukeDark
Implying that lobbyist haven't already been ruining the country for at least 40 years? Fucking laugh riot you are!
imaginedear
Problem is gerrymandering. Why fire just for experience. Competitive districts more effective at fighting incompetence & corruption.
carrington
Your reasoned and well-informed argument has no power here!
WorldRover
Gerrymandering, corrupt campaign finance, unfettered lobbying. Fix those three and we're good to go!
rpgaff2
I will say the system is outdated though. There should be ways for more people to get involved in politics on a level that means something.
calenlass
Exactly. Bernie is a career politician, too. People forget that.
jidar
Bernie had a 83% Senate Approval Rating in 2015, so yea for good reason.
Hybris51129
He's also a poster child along with the likes Pelosi, Feinstein, and McDonnell who need to be let go in order to bring in new modern ideas.
AllGoodNDaHood
What are you talking about? His ideas have been consistently modern and new. He has so little in common with the rest of that list
Hybris51129
No his ideas better fit 1916 rather than 2016, they are by their very nature regressive to society and the individual citizen alike.
Treblaine
What's annoying is if there was only one senator per state there wouldn't be a problem. Why do you need 2 senators per state?
RockKickass
Thank you! We would lose Warren and Booker at the same time McConnell which would retire anyway. Stop the gerrymandering
stonerlibtard
Why fire the president just for experience?
isildur
A legislator isn't well positioned to become a tyrant. An executive leader is.
andergriff
what is gerrymandering?
BoyofBeef
Basically you take votes according to pre-determined districts. It's a bullshit way of voting and is really easily abused.
ragekritz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mky11UJb9AY
IamtheJubster
Your worst enemy. It kills popular support and causes only the two parties to be elected.
SnugglesaurusRex
It's the Republican party subverting democracy to serve the rich. Also what Imagedear said:
BobKelsoDoesntGiveACrap
Just the Republican party? It's both parties. Illinois is a prefect example of the Democrats working it in their favor for decades.
Alfadorfox
Yup, Republicans and Democrats doing it are the reason why they're the only two parties that trade off the majority rule.
ScrooblyDoobles
TL;DR it's redrawing districts to get the voters they want, makes it hard to unseat a party.
sumothername
It's when you elect a guy named Gerry instead of Jerry.
imaginedear
://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/03/01/this-is-the-best-explanation-of-gerrymandering-you-will-ever-see/?utm_term=.0c003c159f72
KodiSniggih
://
andergriff
wow, thank you.
TigerThong
a fun mostly republican tactics. although dems have been picking up on it.
superdupertrooper
It's the widespread practice of state legislatures drawing Congressional voting district boundaries to their own benefit.
superdupertrooper
It guarantees who will win by packing lots of conservatives or liberals into a district. It is an odious, but entirely legal, practice
FloodingWaters
it's not just illegal, it's unconstitutional, but the enforcers are the culprits.
Fumbles48
It's not legal it's just hard to prove someone is actually doing it.