Presidential term limits

Discussion in 'Opinion POLLS' started by leftlegmoderate, Dec 10, 2011.

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Presidential term limits

  1. 8 years maximum

    10 vote(s)
    50.0%
  2. 4 years only.

    4 vote(s)
    20.0%
  3. More than 8 years.

    4 vote(s)
    20.0%
  4. Something completely different. (explain)

    2 vote(s)
    10.0%
  1. leftlegmoderate

    leftlegmoderate New Member

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    I'm sure this topic has been beaten to death many times over, but I was wondering about everyone's thoughts on the topic.

    As everyone knows, our constitution allows for 8 years:

    http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am22.html

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22nd_Amendment

    So do we have it right as is? Or should terms be limited to 4 years only, more than 8, or something altogether different?
     
  2. mikezila

    mikezila New Member

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    2 terms is plenty.
     
  3. PatriotNews

    PatriotNews Well-Known Member

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    Ditto...and we need to limit the congress to 8/12 years too.
     
  4. Panzerkampfwagen

    Panzerkampfwagen New Member

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    Seems like a stupid idea. Surely the constitutional requirement for voting protects against a monarchy.
     
  5. leftlegmoderate

    leftlegmoderate New Member

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    Hmm, I'm not sure. If one party were to dominate long enough there is a chance that they could simply continue to amend and legislate their opposition into oblivion.
     
  6. LibertarianFTW

    LibertarianFTW Well-Known Member

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    There shouldn't be a president. No one individual should have that much power. It almost always ends in that one individual abusing it.
     
  7. leftlegmoderate

    leftlegmoderate New Member

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    I wondered if someone would suggest this.

    One immediate benefit I can think of is a lessening of polarity in our system. There is no denying that a party can gain votes simply by which candidate represents them, particularly if there is something unique or iconic about them.

    Is there any reason why we couldn't have a government devoid of the presidency?
     
  8. Ostap Bender

    Ostap Bender Well-Known Member

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    For Conservative President Five, for Liberal one only Two Years.


    Reason: The Liberal Presidents are extremely destructive.
     
  9. Panzerkampfwagen

    Panzerkampfwagen New Member

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    And actually it allows 10 years. Read your own post.
     
  10. Big Brother

    Big Brother New Member

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    Three terms at least. The legislation limiting Presidential terms was a reaction by a Republican led 18th Congress against a popular Democratic President (FDR). It really limits our power to re elect a qualified and possibly exceptional individual for the highest office. If they have too much power - VOTE THEM OUT.

    Is that too hard to understand. Foil their plan... But you make the choice not some law.

    Bro
     
  11. leftlegmoderate

    leftlegmoderate New Member

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    Sure, if something happens to the President.

    This thread is about the amount of time an elected presidential candidate should be able to serve.
     
  12. leftlegmoderate

    leftlegmoderate New Member

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    But what if after three terms a particular party had slowly manipulated the people and the opposition's ability to fight back to the point where things were heavily in their favor to maintain power?
     
  13. Panzerkampfwagen

    Panzerkampfwagen New Member

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    Vote them out.
     
  14. PatrickT

    PatrickT Well-Known Member

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    I like a six-year term with no re-election. In the U.S., half, or more, of the first term is spent running for re-election and the second term is spent being a lame duck.
     
  15. thebrucebeat

    thebrucebeat Banned

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    For the times that an immediate and timely response to circumstances is required. Congress can not accomplish this.
     
  16. leftlegmoderate

    leftlegmoderate New Member

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    True, but just because something happens quickly doesn't mean that the right thing is going to happen. Also, with one person having the power to veto and make executive orders, withhold information from the public, war without congressional approval.... you can assure that the decision made has bias... which isn't always the greatest thing either.
     
  17. thebrucebeat

    thebrucebeat Banned

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    But when a quick decision is necessary, Congress can not provide it.
     
  18. perdidochas

    perdidochas Well-Known Member

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    2 terms is plenty. We need to do term limits on Congress as well. I think 6 terms in the House, and 2 terms in the Senate would be good.
     
  19. perdidochas

    perdidochas Well-Known Member

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    It was a reaction to someone who went against the general gentleman's agreement that Presidents would limit THEMSELVES to two terms. That gentleman's agreement began with George Washington (who could probably have stayed as President for life). Roosevelt decided not to honor that so that he could remain in power.
     
  20. perdidochas

    perdidochas Well-Known Member

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    So you want 6 years as a lame duck instead?
     
  21. Crawdadr

    Crawdadr Well-Known Member

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    I think the electorate can police the elections. Term limits just insure that we have inexperiance problems every 4 to 8 years. It also leads to chaos in diplomacy since world leaders cannot be sure that the person leading our diplomacy will be the same person after four years.
     

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