Ted Cruz proposes method of getting rid of Ted Cruz

[Valmy]

Sen. Cruz and Rep. DeSantis Introduce Constitutional Amendment To Impose Term Limits On Members of Congress
AMENDMENT WOULD LIMIT SENATORS TO TWO TERMS, REPRESENTATIVES TO THREE TERMS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) today proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to impose term limits on members of Congress. The amendment would limit U.S. senators to two six-year terms and members of the U.S. House of Representatives to three two-year terms.                       

"D.C. is broken," said Sen. Cruz. "The American people resoundingly agreed on Election Day, and President-elect Donald Trump has committed to putting government back to work for the American people. It is well past time to put an end to the cronyism and deceit that has transformed Washington into a graveyard of good intentions."

Cruz continued: "The time is now for Congress, with the overwhelming support of the American people, to submit this constitutional amendment to the states for speedy ratification. With control of a decisive majority of the states, the House of Representatives, and the Senate, we have a responsibility to answer the voters' call-to-action. We must deliver."

"Term limits are the first step towards reforming Capitol Hill," said Rep. DeSantis. "Eliminating the political elite and infusing Washington with new blood will restore the citizen legislature that our Founding Fathers envisioned. The American people have called for increased accountability and we must deliver. Senator Cruz has been instrumental in efforts to hold Congress accountable, and I look forward to working with him to implement term limits."

"President Trump, Speaker Ryan and huge majorities of the American people are demanding term limits," said U.S. Term Limits President Philip Blumel. "Congress must listen and pass the Cruz-DeSantis amendment immediately.

The enduring concept of a citizen legislature, of limiting unruly influence and abuse of power, and of promoting integrity and unclouded judgment in Washington through congressional term limits is a priority strongly supported by the American people. According to an October Rasmussen survey, 74 percent of Americans support establishing term limits for all members of Congress, while only 13 percent oppose term limits. 

In December, Sen. Cruz and Rep. DeSantis published an op-ed in the Washington Post announcing their intention to introduce a term limits amendment in the 115th Congress.

The amendment was cosponsored in the Senate by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and David Perdue (R-Ga.)

https://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2940

I have to admit I like this. Back when I was a supporter of the Red Team I was very excited about this as part of the 'Contract with America' during the Days of Newt.

Granted Texas will just produce people shittier than Cruz and Cornyn at least they would be new and exciting shitty people.

If they can somehow get this thing through Congress the States will probably quickly adopt it. Who knows.

[The Brain]

If you want to drain the swamp I have a plunger.

[LaCroix]

how do you make up for the loss in experience re: various committees

[Valmy]

how do you make up for the loss in experience re: various committees

I would prefer 12 years for both houses, which is how it was proposed back in 1994 I think. That is plenty of time to learn the ropes and be effective.

[sbr]

How does the re-election of almost every incumbent show that the people want term limits?

[Valmy]

How does the re-election of almost every incumbent show that the people want term limits?

They voted for Trump instead of him? No idea what Cruz is saying there.

[Jacob]

If they can somehow get this thing through Congress the States will probably quickly adopt it. Who knows.

So the US has just elected a collection of know-nothings with little experience in government to run the country, and you are  - rightly IMO - expecting them to make a clusterfuck of a situation significantly worse.

Thus you applaud an initiative to institutionalize the election of know-nothing neophytes and prevent the development of institutional expertise in government?

Seems pretty foolish, IMO.

[MadImmortalMan]

Most of them remain know-nothing neophytes even after spending many terms in office. 

[Jacob]

Most of them remain know-nothing neophytes even after spending many terms in office. 

I think that is actually incorrect, and that the firm and widespread desire to believe that is one of the main things undermining the American republic.

[garbon]

How does the re-election of almost every incumbent show that the people want term limits?

Much in the same way that re-election of almost every incumbent shows that people want change.

[garbon]

Most of them remain know-nothing neophytes even after spending many terms in office. 

I think that is actually incorrect, and that the firm and widespread desire to believe that is one of the main things undermining the American republic.

Pelosi?

[Jacob]

Pelosi?

You think Pelosi is a know-nothing neophyte?

[MadImmortalMan]

You're an incredible optimist, Jake. I wish I had that.

[HVC]

Don't senators spend like 40% of their time campaigning? Term limits might help that. Especially their last term so that they can concentrate on Senatoring (and or one last big corruption grab)

[Jacob]

You're an incredible optimist, Jake. I wish I had that.

There is no viable alternative. Pessimism is self-fulfilling. You go around believing the worst to protect yourself from disappointment in worst-case scenarios or out of intellectual laziness; but because you believe it and act like it's true it'll become true.

Pelosi et. al. may be objectionable in a number of ways - venal, short sighted, self interested, politically disagreeable, incompetent even - but she is not a neophyte who doesn't know how things work. Telling yourself that experienced politicians are neophytes will eventually get you a bunch of politicians who are equally venal, short sighted, self interested, politically disagreeable and incompetent in addition to being inexperienced, thus making a bad situation worse. This bill is a clear example of this dynamic at work.

Jaded pessimism is not realism. The reason there are good things and institutions in the US is because optimists and idealists and pragmatists have worked hard for them. People repeating to themselves and others that "things are shit" facilitate things becoming even more shit.