The 22nd Amendment limiting presidents to two terms has both its good and bad aspects. The worst flaw that it automatically turns any president into a lame duck and diminishes his power in his 2nd term.
The president becomes a convenient punching bag for every two-bit reporter and politician looking to score cheap points with his or her constituency, as well as for every three-bit politician who sees him or herself as the next president.
The 22nd happened to come along at the same time as television began training our populace to have shorter and shorter attention spans. So not only does TV overexpose modern presidents to constant publicity and carping from various quarters, but the public becomes tired of the president after around five or six years.
That's why every president since the 22nd was ratified has had a rocky 2nd term. If, at the same time the 22nd Amendment was being proposed and ratified, term limits for senators and representatives were also included, the original balance of power between the two branches would have been maintained.
You have got to be our most articulate poster, Wolfstar.
Good points, all, Wolfstar. THANKS!
You have such good writing skills and the ability to communicate one can see your professional skills yet you still manage to keep the human aspect.
"The 22nd Amendment limiting presidents to two terms has both its good and bad aspects. The worst flaw that it automatically turns any president into a lame duck and diminishes his power in his 2nd term.
The president becomes a convenient punching bag for every two-bit reporter and politician looking to score cheap points with his or her constituency, as well as for every three-bit politician who sees him or herself as the next president.
The 22nd happened to come along at the same time as television began training our populace to have shorter and shorter attention spans. So not only does TV overexpose modern presidents to constant publicity and carping from various quarters, but the public becomes tired of the president after around five or six years.
That's why every president since the 22nd was ratified has had a rocky 2nd term. If, at the same time the 22nd Amendment was being proposed and ratified, term limits for senators and representatives were also included, the original balance of power between the two branches would have been maintained."
. . . a commentary so insightful that it merits a second post!!! THANK YOU!
Wolf, I can't agree with this. The basic reason is that our gov't has stretched their tentacles into every part of our lives. Congressfolk need years to understand what they're really voting on. Right now, the new ones rely on Congressional staffers, who are mostly young people trying to "get a name" and a career path. They are not responsible to the voters or anyone else.
It's not just the balance of power; it's also the reach of power. Presidents usually have to confine their efforts to just a few major initiatives. No one can deal with all of the gov't issues.
Congressfolk usually eventually learn something about one area or two. But for the newly elected, their votes are dependent on the opinions of unknown and unaccountable staffers.
Now, if we could reduce the scope of gov't..... (I must be hallucinating)