>I think, as a observer, one of the best character traits of American culture is the willingness to topple your leaders. We don't often suffer 16 years of a Pri

>I think, as a observer, one of the best character traits of American culture is the willingness to topple your leaders. We don't often suffer 16 years of a Prime Minister but did 14 of Thatcher and 12 of Blair. Whereas becoming a Two Term President is still a big deal. Far be it from me to spurn a compliment, but as an American, this seems utterly backwards. The best thing in a parliamentary system, that is lacking in the US, is the ability to have a vote of confidence and dissolve the government if necessary - the lack of this seems like the structural core of our government's dysfunction, gridlock, two party polarization, and opposition to the will of the people. Conversely, two terms maximum is just a rule that wasn't always so. If a politician doesn't lose support, why shouldn't they keep running the government? The important thing is that they do lose control whenever they lose support. ...and the American system may have been more lucky than well-designed historically in not becoming victim to what they call an "autogolpe".