A Modest Proposal from the WaPo

[Sheilbh]

Shocking that the LanguishLeft would be against presidential term limits around this time.

As Obama's more unpopular than ever before?

I've never been a fan. The people always get it right, more or less.

[DGuller]

I've never been a fan. The people always get it right, more or less.

Usually a bit more less than more, though.

[Agelastus]

Shocking that the LanguishLeft would be against presidential term limits around this time.

I've always thought that term limits are both unnecessary and insulting to the electorate as well; have I suddenly moved to the LanguishLeft as well...

[celedhring]

I sort of agree with term limits in certain systems, particularly the American: if you can't be reelected you can't prioritize your reelection when enacting policy.

[Razgovory]

Shocking that the LanguishLeft would be against presidential term limits around this time.

I've always thought that term limits are both unnecessary and insulting to the electorate as well; have I suddenly moved to the LanguishLeft as well...

Yes.  Derspiess has moved right and anyone left back is well... left.

[Neil]

The People elected Carter over Ford.  Fuck them.

[Ideologue]

Actually, I like term limits just fine; in fact I am happy with two terms.

But they should each be ten years long.

[Agelastus]

The People elected Carter over Ford.  Fuck them.

To be fair to the people, they were given a terrible choice that year.

[DGuller]

The People elected Carter over Ford.  Fuck them.

To be fair to the people, they were given a terrible choice that year.

And they voted for him. 

[grumbler]

The People elected Carter over Ford.  Fuck them.

To be fair to the people, they were given a terrible choice that year.

And they voted for him. 

[Neil]

The idea that checks and balances are 'insulting to the electorate' is inherently foolish.

[OttoVonBismarck]

I find those before/after Presidential pics to be the worst kind of nonsense. For one, they most likely carefully select the picture that looks the "youngest" for the beginning of their term--which is subjective and will certainly be based on the lighting, angle, even how good the make up job they have on was. Then of course they look for the most hagard/old looking picture for the end of their term.

Most Presidents we've had in the 20th century start out either in their 40s or their early/mid 50s and obviously end their terms 4/8 years later. Ask anyone who has aged from their 40s to their 50s or early 60s (aside from grumbler who went through this so long ago that he's long since forgotten) what happens and how uncommon it is to see gray hair and wrinkles. Graying in particular is something a lot of people go through relatively rapidly, and it's one of those things where once a critical mass of gray hair is present it can start to seem like the person has gone from being young to old overnight, but in reality they've probably been graying at a perfectly average speed for a man.

[KRonn]

Two terms is plenty for a President, IMO. Even if it's a President that I really like I still say two terms, eight years is long enough. I think it's politically healthy to have new ideas and a new administration rather than dragging on with a President that becomes stagnant, and could also become too powerful. I also feel that term limits for Congress could be considered. Incumbents become too powerful, hard to unseat, plus too connected to business and other interests, and then they're doing policy for their interests more than for the country. 

[Razgovory]

Two terms is plenty for a President, IMO. Even if it's a President that I really like I still say two terms, eight years is long enough. I think it's politically healthy to have new ideas and a new administration rather than dragging on with a President that becomes stagnant, and could also become too powerful. I also feel that term limits for Congress could be considered. Incumbents become too powerful, hard to unseat, plus too connected to business and other interests, and then they're doing policy for their interests more than for the country.

Well sure, I think it's prudent to limit the presidential candidates you can vote for, but not for the public at large.

[KRonn]

Two terms is plenty for a President, IMO. Even if it's a President that I really like I still say two terms, eight years is long enough. I think it's politically healthy to have new ideas and a new administration rather than dragging on with a President that becomes stagnant, and could also become too powerful. I also feel that term limits for Congress could be considered. Incumbents become too powerful, hard to unseat, plus too connected to business and other interests, and then they're doing policy for their interests more than for the country.

Well sure, I think it's prudent to limit the presidential candidates you can vote for, but not for the public at large.