warning: civil political discussion under construction....

[lagilman]

read this:

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.

breakin' it down in detail

Unlikely, considering what's required, but just the thought leaves me feeling all sorts of unhappy, as it does every time someone tries this.

Personally I think the 22nd's a damn good idea. George Washington did, too -- in response to the thought that he become ruler-for-life, he is reported to have said: "What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror. From thinking proceeds speaking, thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous! What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal & fallacious!" In other words, 'what are you, nuts?'


(he also said: "If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." Somehow, I get the feeling that Washington would not have liked George W. Bush very much a'tall... but I digress)


Anyway. I think the 22nd's a pretty damn good idea. Did/do even when people I respect are in office. The thing that keeps us stable, government-wise, is the knowledge that no matter how bad it's gotten, the tides of change will come, eventually. Contol comes and goes, the players shuffle and form new alliances, and everyone's kept moderately honest just by having to watch their friends and allies as closely as their enemies..and remember to argue nicely with their enemies. Take that away, and people out of power begin to lose hope. Yes, there's still Congress... but the seed's been sown.

But what do I know? I'm only a citizen-voter.

Comments

[liuseth.livejournal.com]

What is the 22nd amendment?

Sorry, all i know is the 5th which means you don't have to speak at your own trial or something like that.

[lagilman]

That no president may hold a third term after being duly elected to two. Passed after FDR served four, and the country basically said "dude, enough."

[liuseth.livejournal.com]

ahh rather clever. Stops the country from going to hell in a handbasket if someone has dynastic pretensions eh?

Although in one way it could be bad, for the second term the pres could basically do whatever s/he desired, knowing he didn't have to play nice to get voted back in.

[atimson.livejournal.com]

Whereas I would have no problem repealing the 22nd amendment. Why? Because, if someone truly has been in office too long, truly doesn't belong there, there are control mechanisms. Namely, not voting for them again in the next election (and also, depending on what they do, possibly impeachment). I see no reason to artificially limit the term length of a president if the people continue to want him to serve.

...

At least, that's what I thought before the last election, when I thought that Bush didn't have a snowball's chance in Hell of being reelected. Now, I'm not so sure. :-/

But as you said, "What do I know? I'm only a citizen-voter." :)

[lagilman]

Although in one way it could be bad, for the second term the pres could basically do whatever s/he desired, knowing he didn't have to play nice to get voted back in.

It's called being a "lame duck." And yeah, they tend to get a little crazy toward the end of that second term, all of 'em.

[caryabend.livejournal.com]

I'm all for the re-elction of Bill Clinton ad infinitum.

[bill-leisner.livejournal.com]

FWIW, I'm fairly sure this is one of those perrennial proposals that gets introduced during every Congress, probably going all the way back to the late Truman Admin.

[lagilman]

Three times that I remember. Doesn't change how I feel about it. Especially the clause in this go-round that specifically says that no previous president -- except the one seated when the Bill is introduced --can run for a third term.

Uh-huh.

[lagilman]

God, no!

(I liked Clinton, too. But no mas!)

[kradical.livejournal.com]

I, OTOH, always thought the 22nd was stupid and would be more than happy to see it go. Prior to FDR, no president served more than two terms. It's unlikely to happen too often again, simply because the presidency is a very draining job, and not one that most human beings can sustain for more than eight years. And if someone is a) willing and b) able to serve a third term, I don't see any reason to stop them.

I've never liked the idea of any kind of term limits, because we already have limitations on terms: elections.

[newroticgirl.livejournal.com]

Especially the clause in this go-round that specifically says that no previous president -- except the one seated when the Bill is introduced --can run for a third term.

well doesn't THAT sound fishy now. :(

i personally would rather vote for the ghost of several dead presidents than have ol'Dub back for a 3rd go round. but that's just me and my ultra liberal self. ;) President Ghost doesn't have to waste time with press conferences or even diplomacy, he can just ghost his little way into whoever's office and get the info he needs! teehee. now i'm getting silly. PRESIDENT GHOST IN 08!!

[kalligraphy.livejournal.com]

There is only one problem with that. 95% of our elected officials get re-elected. For the record, in Soviet Russia the re-election rate was only 90%. Are they re-elected because they are that good? Everyone complains about politicians, so I can't imagine that is the case. Or is it more likely they are re-elected because our system gives encumbants and advantage?

[kalligraphy.livejournal.com]

Personally I am tired of voting for the lesser of two evils at election time. So in 2008, I am going to vote for Cthulu, the greatest evil of them all. Further there is no question if he is good or evil, he admits he is evil and up to no good. No pretentions, no lies, I respect that.

[lagilman]

incumbents! INcumbents!

/manic editorial mode

[hoosier-red.livejournal.com]

What I want to know is, what are the six Democrats who proposed this SMOKING, anyway? Either they feel damn sure that a Dem is going to be the next president, or someone has pictures of them with goats or L. Ron Hubbard.

[liuseth.livejournal.com]

But as you said, "What do I know? I'm only a citizen-voter." :)

LOL I'm entitled to even less of an opinion, afterall, i'm only a conditional permanent resident. ;)

[kalligraphy.livejournal.com]

doh! oh and you missed the use of the word and instead of an. *giggle*