3 ms·

So I used to oppose term limits for Congress until I saw a very interesting argument: The longer you have been in power, the longer the list of prior decisions

So I used to oppose term limits for Congress until I saw a very interesting argument: The longer you have been in power, the longer the list of prior decisions and positions that you must defend, or else admit you were wrong. And so you end up clinging to bad positions, opposing good laws and good repeals, or supporting bad laws and bad repeals, because your own political fortunes are tied up in having been correct the first time around.

WalterBright 10y ago
Being called a "flip-flopper" guarantees one cannot learn from experience.
- nkozyra 10y ago
  It's amazing how a potentially valuable human attribute has been branded as a political handicap.
  - manquer 10y ago
    Well it depends.. if you vote someone for his current stance towards something I would expect he keep it whether he personally has changed view or not . If you vote for someone on their ability to think and act , for thier character I would expect them to change. Usually it a combination of both so there is no simple answer
    - marcoperaza 10y ago
      Also, you want these people for their good foresight. Hindsight isn't quite as useful.
xbmcuser 10y ago
Look at how the presidents behave in the 2nd term. They know that they don't need to get reelected so are willing to do the right thing more than pandering to their donors. Currently other elected officials have to balance what their voters want with what their donors want and side with the donors. But the biggest problem with US currently is two party system where their is huge us against them mentality republicans vote republican and Democrats vote democrat. So politicians from both sides are unwilling to vote across party lines as that would kill their chance of getting reelected. If they don't need to run again they will be more willing to compromise.

3 ms·

So I used to oppose term limits for Congress until I saw a very interesting argument: The longer you have been in power, the longer the list of prior decisions

by marcoperaza 10y ago

WalterBright 10y ago
Being called a "flip-flopper" guarantees one cannot learn from experience.
- nkozyra 10y ago
  It's amazing how a potentially valuable human attribute has been branded as a political handicap.
  - manquer 10y ago
    Well it depends.. if you vote someone for his current stance towards something I would expect he keep it whether he personally has changed view or not . If you vote for someone on their ability to think and act , for thier character I would expect them to change. Usually it a combination of both so there is no simple answer
    - marcoperaza 10y ago
      Also, you want these people for their good foresight. Hindsight isn't quite as useful.
xbmcuser 10y ago
Look at how the presidents behave in the 2nd term. They know that they don't need to get reelected so are willing to do the right thing more than pandering to their donors. Currently other elected officials have to balance what their voters want with what their donors want and side with the donors. But the biggest problem with US currently is two party system where their is huge us against them mentality republicans vote republican and Democrats vote democrat. So politicians from both sides are unwilling to vote across party lines as that would kill their chance of getting reelected. If they don't need to run again they will be more willing to compromise.