[finnman69]

How about term limits?

[Arkinsaw]

Why doesn't he just file a bill appointing him Representative for Life.

[Samizdat]

Stand back and let the democrats keep digging. It IS self serving, you moron and will appear so and bring more Republicans out to vote against you. Keep digging.

[NittanyLion]

I think reps would be better if limited to meeting four days per year, not serving four years per term.

[Commiewatcher]

"A constitutional amendment would be needed to make the change. Stenholm’s bill would have to be passed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, then ratified by three-fourths of the states, a process that generally takes years."

Not a new idea at all. This one will probably wind up as a liner in some Sub-committee wastebasket.

[Steve_Seattle]

Given the length of modern political campaigns, four year terms makes more sense than two, but I would only support this if there were a three-term limit included as part of the deal. On the other hand, maybe we should just try to figure out a way to shorten the campaign season. However, in this era of "the permanent campaign," I am not sure how that would be done.

[PhiKapMom]

Cong Stenholm according to my paper this morning abstained from voting for Speaker of the House along with Ralph Hall of TX and Lucas of KY. Guess Stenholm got the word with the last election!

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

I might be mistaken, but isn't this little detail spelled out in the Constitution? If so, this 'legislation' would have a monumentally-uphill battle for sucess.

[Nonstatist]

He said he has always been talked out of filing the legislation because of the perception it would be self-serving.

Why would anyone think that?

[concerned about politics]

He said he has always been talked out of filing the legislation because of the perception it would be self-serving.

Yes it would be. He may lose the next election. He wants dictator for life status.
On the contrary, when politicians are in Washington too long, they forget their experiance in the private sector. Unless they can truely understand the voters, they can't possibly represent us.
It's time to get back to the idea of term limits. The polititions are getting too dictorial for my taste.
Time for this guy to go, for sure! He sounds like a Castro clone!

[concerned about politics]

"It doesn’t really make a lot of sense to me to get away from the wisdom of our founding fathers," Beckham said. "The representative should be accountable to his constituents on a regular basis. I’d be reticent to change the system that has worked well for over 200 years. I can’t imagine it passing."

Amen.

[concerned about politics]

"I am going to do my best to build up congressional support. That will be high on my list of priorities."

E-mail and phoning representitives alert!

[Centurion2000]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm said he will file legislation to extend House members’ terms from two years to four.

WRONG ..... he will have to file a Constitutional Amendment.

[Teacher317]

They need more job security... after all, only 90+% of incumbents who run are re-elected. That just isn't fair!! I mean, if we can't be relied upon to serve them, they'll just have to take matters into their own hands. What's that? They're supposed to serve us? Well, what an out-dated and colonial-era thing to say!

[MSgt Smith]

Rep Stenholm is my congress critter how he keeps getting elected in what is a very conservative district is beyond me.

[mhking]

Rockheaded idiot. He just wants to find a way to keep his job forever.

[mhking]

Uh, no offense, rockhead.

[concerned about politics]

"I think two-year terms, the costs associated with them — the constant campaigning and the constant need for money-raising

It's just too much work for a social vampire. I mean really.
Active Democrat is an oxymoron.

[Teacher317]

"I’ve had enough constituents in the last two campaigns say, ‘Why don’t you go to four-year terms?’" Stenholm said. "I think two-year terms, the costs associated with them — the constant campaigning and the constant need for money-raising —

Gee, here's an idea: try concentrating on doing your job, rather than trying to keep it.

that we ought to seriously have this discussion, since we’ve gone to four-year terms for governors, state officials."

We know better than those silly Founders. What have they ever thought of, anyway?

[Mo1]

What is it with Democrats not letting the american people vote for who they want to represent them .. when are they going to stop trying change the election rules