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Strict single term limits for all members of Congress would go a long way toward making this natural tendency manageable - if it's a natural cycle (and I think
by joshkaufman 16y ago
Strict single term limits for all members of Congress would go a long way toward making this natural tendency manageable - if it's a natural cycle (and I think it is), then it makes sense to re-start that cycle as often as possible.
- jamesaguilar 16y agoI don't know if this is actually true, but I have heard that the short term limits in California's congress is a big part of why special interest groups have such outsized power in this state. The method of action is supposedly that inexperienced congresspeople do not know how to navigate the processes in Sacramento, and the lobbies come along to help them out. Like I said, I don't know if it's true, but I don't really see a mechanism by which single term limits will help the situation. In fact, they may make it even worse by making it hard for politicians to distinguish themselves by a record of actually doing good. Instead, the public will have absolutely nothing to go on besides advertisements, which are paid for by guess who. For the record, I have heard this said from both sides of the aisle. I'm not standing by its truthfulness because government brokenness is a complex issue, but it certainly seems like a valid explanation to me.
- ajays 16y agoI agree with you. When newbies get elected, they have a tough time navigating the corridors of power. This is where the lobbyists come in: they've seen the system (they probably were a part of it before becoming lobbyists), they know how it works, and they're just too happy to help out. This way their influence grows stronger year by year. Term limits is not the answer. I think California's open primaries will help in electing moderates, people who are willing to look at all sides of the equation.