Term Limits? ..... No!

As we deal with an out of touch Congress, defying the will of the people and burying us all in legislation that they don't even understand, many have propounded term limits as the solution. If it were such a great idea our founders would have put it into the Constitution. They, like us today, wanted Congress to be made up of common men. They implemented this desire through age requirements.

Twenty-five years is the minimal requirement for elected office in the Constitution. And where was the average twenty-five year old in the 18th century? He was most likely married with his own family established. Already a businessman, artisan or professional of some type and known in his community for his own individual accomplishments.

And where is an average twenty-five year old today? He may very well still be living with his parents. He has most likely applied for his first job, but not necessarily. If he is one seeking higher education, he (or she) could still be in school, and if seeking a career in academia will remain there.

And how different is an academic career from a political career? Right out of school one can work for a political machine. A government subsidized position requiring, obvious when you look at what is passing for legislation these days, only the ability to move ones mouth. Many of those that can claim private sector experience had token positions, gained through the influence of money and family. Put into a holding pattern until the opportunity for them to run for office presented itself.

Yes, some have true private sector experience, but is any industry free from political/big government ties these days? Some use their military service as a platform. And a few, from whatever background, are just truly good people. But for the most part our nation is sufferring from politics as a profession. Where serving politics trumps common sense experience as a requirement. We could blame the media again, for they powerfully influence what the public considers a legitimate requirement or not, but they don't vote for us.

Looking at this life expectancy chart one can see that the average life span from 1850 to present has doubled. And for those who reached the age of thirty, they are expected to live some thirteen years longer today than those in 1850's. One may easily claim that the life of a twenty-five year old in past centuries would be equivalent to the position one finds himself in at thirty-five in our present era. I'm not sure if many even run for congress at twenty-five.

There is clear justification to raise the current age limits for elected office. As it stands one must be twenty-five to run for the House of Representatives, and thirty-five for the Senate and the Presidency. I would suggest raising the age requirement by ten years, fifteen for the President.

OK.... in this modern age that will help, but wont weed out the career politicians. But term limits would only push them out of their seat and into a lobbiest position which is nearly the same thing.

So how does one get a grip on Congress? Maybe the grip was lost when we put term limits on the Presidency? The balance of power, so wisely designed by our forefathers, being disrupted. Having Presidents labeled lame ducks for large portions of their Presidency. Having a political positioning frenzy on both sides when no incumbant with clear policies and direction can challenge. Having a Congress that can wait out a President, and/or the back and forth sways of power, to push through their control building agendas. And an important check and balance is being compromised.

Yes, end the term limits for the President and increase the age requirements through a Constitutional Amendment. And maybe we need to pull back some of the extension of the executive branch such as the EPA. (those Czars are already outside the Presidents powers as far as I understand)

We can say that the scale of the federal government shields our representatives from being held accountable in elections, unlike our local politicians, but that accountability factor doesn't exist for the President. The one position that people take seriously and look to hold accountable, that's the position we put limits on?!

I know this plays into the liberal desires for President Obama to hold office for life, but the reality is we would all be better off. And only corruption, successfully implemented on a scale never before seen, could keep him in office. And if that exists only revolt will save us.