Don’t let “No More Term
Limits” Fool You…
BCC Term limits supports
the enactment of limited terms for lawmakers both on the local and national
level. Limiting terms allows for a greater
number of candidates, and a more diverse range of individuals running for
office. Putting a limit on time in office means less time to develop financial
ties to lobbyists and special interest groups. Congressmen are more likely to
fight for constituents if they must live under laws they enacted. However, some
Americans continue to vote against their own interest, support the agenda of
corrupt career politicians, and deny the obvious need for term limits.
“No More
Term Limits” is a group that has disputed the need for term limits. This is a
great example of American voters who have been sadly misled and deceived to
think the current political system is working them, and should stay as is. The flaws in their key arguments are addressed below:
“In a 2015
Gallup poll, it was concluded that younger generations of Americans (under 30)
and older Americans (over 65) both gave 74% approval of term limits (Fund, National Review). It is
critical that these demographics see the issue at hand, which is the lack of
knowledge that newcomers in the legislature hold.”
“The
federal government is more complicated than any of us truly know.”
- They acknowledge widespread support for term limits by American voters, but still feel the need to side with career politicians and fight against limited terms. They suggest it is too complicated for an American who hasn’t previously held office to act effectively as a legislator. This argument was fed to them by corrupt politicians, it is extremely condescending, and highlights the obvious need for term limits. There are plenty of Americans who are well-informed on the American political system and are completely capable of representing their constituents and enacting effective and smart legislation and policies.
“Another
crucial demographic that is in support of consistent legislative terms are the
politician’s donors, and generally white males. Legislatures in the House
and Senate need money in order to get votes. People who have invested
their time and money into the current politicians, typically people in economic
power, have high expectations that their stake will be preserved by current
members in the House and Senate”
- This is an excerpt where “No More Term limits” describes key demographics that support their cause. Unsurprisingly, term limits are supported largely by white males and political donors. They even acknowledge the fact that these powerful political donors don’t support term limits because they don’t want to invest money buying off politicians that may only be in office for a short time. According to a 2016 Gallup poll, the majority of the country (75%) thinks that corruption is widespread throughout the government. It is no longer a secret, Americans know special interest groups are buying politicians support, but they feel powerless to change anything. We acknowledge the reality that career politicians cannot continue to receive unlimited financial contributions from lobbyists and special interest groups, and pretend they are still serving the interests of their constituents. They act as though they are victims of a system they created. Enacting term limits will empower voters, remove corrupt politicians from the system, and allow our country to get back to a point where the government serves its people, and not the other way around.
“Term
limits for the United States congress would have a negative impact on lawmakers
ability to complete political agendas and would limit the ability of lawmakers
to accomplish the political goals of their constituents.”
- Some states have already enacted term limits that typically range between 8 and 12 years. Thus, even the most aggressive term limits allow a lawmaker to be elected twice, and hold office for a total of 8 years. If a politician cannot accomplish any political goals in the span of 8 years, they have no business being in office in the first place.
“There is no such wall
between people and their representatives. Offices of representatives must serve
all of the people under their constituency regardless of whether they agree
with a particular individual’s political preferences or not. If a
representative fails to keep up with doing so, the people which vote for that
representative have the option to vote for a different candidate in coming
elections”
- No More Term Limits wrote this in regard to the power of incumbency. They suggest that if a currently elected official does something its constituents disagree with; they simply don’t vote for that candidate again. When we look at the numbers, it’s just not that simple. In 2014 Congress had an 13% approval rating, and 96% of incumbents were reelected. Clearly, the politicians we want to remove have developed methods to remain in their position of power regardless of what the constituency and American people want. Not to mention the thousands of politicians who run unopposed. If there is no challenger to a politician who voters do not support, there is no way to remove that official from office.
Term limits work. We can’t simply take
corrupt politicians word for it when they suggest no one could possibly do
their job without decades of experience. Term limits will address the
corruption and broken campaign finance system operating in our country in one
fell swoop. BCC Term Limits doesn’t expect a broken government to fix itself.
We need to take a stand, and fight to end career politicians and grasp they
have on the American people and their pocketbooks. Join BCC and support term limits now!
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