Term limits, other changes needed in government

After meeting with Maryland Delegates Jim Mathias and Norm Conway, I can understand how people get frustrated with government.

There's so much going on with a system that tries to be everything to everybody, and has its hand in every endeavor and pocket.

It's time for term limits. The founding fathers didn't write them into the Constitution because it was understood that our representatives were citizen legislators who would return to the farm or shop after serving in office, to live under and abide by the laws they had written.Read the full story

Term limits solution to partisan bickering

After reading the Fence Post contributions of Feb. 16, it really highlighted the polarization of Americans. Every political opinion was an attempt to tear down the other party, regardless of which one. We have become a society of placing blame, rather than taking responsibility. Our two party system of government was created for the purpose of "checks and balances" and not "them against us." What happened to that concept?

It only stands to reason that if one party controls both houses of Congress, the other feels they have to unify and dig their heels in to prevent runaway legislation. It has worked both ways for years, so is nothing new. Unfortunately, it has become a way of life, and each election is nothing more than positioning ones party to be the majority rather than electing the best person for the job. Read the full story

Term Limits: No Magic Pill for Washington's Woes

One of the most common laments one hears from voters — and there are a lot of them these days — is that members of Congress aren't subject to term limits. There's a perception, accurate in some cases, that longevity in office leads to corruption and that greater turnover would somehow fix Washington's gridlock.

But one need only look at some states' experience with term limits to see such a remedy is no magic pill: politicians who are term-limited often just use their temporary offices as stepping stones and don't invest in the institutions.Read the full story

On the Mark - Mandate term limits for all politicians

...Hopefully, the election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts is much more than a movement against the current administration’s policies. It is time we voted out all long-term politicians and voted in new blood to serve this country. There seems to be little difference between dictatorships that serve indefinitely and incumbents who are re-elected long after they have lost touch with mainstream America. Term limitations should be as mandatory for Congress as they are for the Presidency.Read the full story

On the Mark - Mandate term limits for all politicians

...Hopefully, the election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts is much more than a movement against the current administration’s policies. It is time we voted out all long-term politicians and voted in new blood to serve this country. There seems to be little difference between dictatorships that serve indefinitely and incumbents who are re-elected long after they have lost touch with mainstream America. Term limitations should be as mandatory for Congress as they are for the Presidency.Read the full story

Mandan man wants term limits for N.D.

A Mandan man wanting to prevent political corruption in North Dakota has filed a petition with the secretary of state to bring a measure to the ballot that would establish term limits for state elected officials.

Tory Otto, 37, a member of the Mandan chapter of Citizens for Responsible Government, said enacting term limits would cut down on career politicians who “aren’t in it for the right reasons anymore.”Continue Reading

Ehlers Term-Limits Himself

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (Michigan Radio) - Congressman Vern Ehlers says he will not run for re-election this year. The Grand Rapids Republican is retiring after 16 years serving in Washington.

Ehlers says he's considered retiring each of the past few election cycles.

Eric Hartley: Term limits bill deserves some thought
Full Article at Hometown Annapolis

To be clear, James King's bill to impose term limits on state lawmakers has virtually zero chance of passing.

And the reasons it has no shot might just be the best arguments for it.

King, a first-term Republican delegate from Gambrills, introduced a bill last week to put a constitutional amendment on November's ballot to limit delegates, senators and the state attorney general, comptroller and treasurer to two consecutive four-year terms.

Eight (years) is enough
Philly.com

LAST WEEK, City Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr. introduced a resolution calling for a ballot question that would ask voters whether Council members should have a three-term limit. Unlike a number of other big cities, Philadelphia has no term limits for Council.

But that's not really a problem for us since the city is run so well, and we have no long-standing problems that continually get passed on from year to year.

Sarcasm aside, this legislation should not be seen as a personal insult to current members.

House GOP keeps intact term limits for chairmen
The Hill

House Republicans will keep intact the six-year term limit for committee chairmen and ranking members, Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced Wednesday.

Boehner told Republican House members that the GOP Steering Committee had decided to keep in place the limit, which differs from a more seniority-based chairmanship system for House Democrats.

"The current rule will stand," Boehner told the House Republican Conference, according to remarks forwarded by his office.

The GOP first instituted the term limit rules for chairmen after taking control of the House in 1995, but Democrats reversed that rule change upon taking back the House in 2007.

The current GOP rule allows for the GOP Steering Committee to submit a waiver for the term-limits in some circumstances.

Cut Spending, Leave Money in Hands of People, Small Businesses
TheLedger.com

This year is starting off better than 2009, despite Congress and President Barack Obama accomplishing nothing to help small businesses. While some believe increasing taxes and deficit spending will solve the problems (by giving the Congress more to spend), it is small businesses and families that pay the majority of taxes that allow President Obama and the Congress the money to spread the wealth.

It's time to do something to reduce the U.S. deficit
Zanesville Times Recorder

It's time we do something to reduce the United States deficit. We're getting deeper in debt.

I don't see where the economic stimulus helped out anyone in my family. How about yours? There is still property and mortgage foreclosures and sheriff sale notices in local papers. Our unemployment rate is in the double digits; reportedly 10 percent for Ohio. But that only counts those who qualify for unemployment compensation. We need affordable health care for everyone, without being denied for age or pre-existing conditions.