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Term limits on Congress are one of those things that sound like a great idea—and aspects of them are—but when implemented they turn out to cause even more corru
by waterphone 10y ago
Term limits on Congress are one of those things that sound like a great idea—and aspects of them are—but when implemented they turn out to cause even more corruption.
California did this for their state legislature. The result was that there were no more long term legislators that knew the ropes and could guide new legislators and teach them how to do everything, and so the most experienced people around ended up being the lobbyists, who would come in and say "Oh, don't worry about it, we'll help you!" and then would go off and write the bills for people, etc.
- DrScump 10y agothere were no more long term legislators that knew the ropes The term limits are specific to each house. There has been a tremendous amount of seat-trading (termed-out incumbent Senator running for Assembly seat, and vice-versa). There is little of "teach them how to do everything"; it's more about (experienced leadership) telling them what to do regardless of tenure. Have you ever watched committee meetings? Understand the concept of "is this an 'A' vote or a 'B' vote", with members of whatever tenure marching in lock-step? Many need Remedial Parliamentary Procedure 1A, and lots can't read legislation worth crap... including long-tenured ones. Otherwise, it's do-as-your-told-or-you-don't-get-campaign-money. The problem isn't term limits; it's one-party rule.