[cc2k]

First a few questions for each of you. Will you join me in my pledges? And, how much have you contributed to the RNC or DNC, or to the Republican/Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee, or the Republican/Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee? Have you ever contributed to the campaign of an incumbent who exceeds your preference for term limits? If you favor term limits, why would you contribute to these committees which are for the most part dedicated to re-electing incumbents way beyond the term limits you claim to support?

wastedyears wrote:

A lack of term limits is why we have people like McCain, Byrd, Kennedy, Murtha, Schumer in office so long.

Sorry, I won’t buy into that. Lazy voters in Arizona, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York are what have kept McCain, Byrd, Kennedy, Murtha and Shumer in office for so long.

If we had term limit laws or a term limit amendment, it would force the issue. But there is no reason, other than laziness, why voters can’t enforce term limits on their own.

sickoflibs wrote:

Term limits are critical, but neither party will pass them. They were part of the Republican contract with America 1994, broken contract obviously.

If you believe any politician who promises to support term limits, you’re very naive. They might follow through, it has actually happened, but it isn’t very likely.

Wonder Warthog wrote:

Sorry, but I’d still rather see term limits embedded in the Constitution by means of a formal amendment.

Nowhere have I said that I am against an amendment specifying term limits. However, I am pointing out the hypocrisy of many who claim to support such an amendment, but also support candidates who exceed the very limits they are proposing.

Are you saying you are unwilling to search for new candidates unless the Constitution is amended to force the issue?

Walrus wrote:

And, yes, we DO intend to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The "baby" has been crapping in the tub!

Well stated. I can’t add to that, but I thought it was worth repeating.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Nowhere have I said that I am against an amendment specifying term limits. However, I am pointing out the hypocrisy of many who claim to support such an amendment, but also support candidates who exceed the very limits they are proposing."

There's no hypocrisy at all involved. A voter would be a fool to vote against a long-serving legislator who he feels is doing a good job WITHOUT statutory term limits, due to the power incrued by that legislator from seniority, which would then be lost.

This is one of the main reasons IN FAVOR of statutory term limits, that it minimizes the loss of power from seniority.