Limiting the Power of Incumbency

[jwoodie]

Why not change Congressional terms from 2 years to staggered 4 year terms? This would cut down on the incessant campaigning and fundraising on which Representatives are forced to spend a majority of their time while still affording the people ample opportunity to express their voting opinions. During the "off" years, each Representative would be subject to an "approval" vote: If a majority voted no, they would not be allowed to run for reelection.

Aside from the political obstacles of Amending the Constitution, what do you think of this concept?

 

[jwoodie]

OK, let's talk about your favorite TV show...

 

[dblack]

If we want to limit the power of incumbency, we need to limit the power of incumbents.

 

[jwoodie]

If we want to limit the power of incumbency, we need to limit the power of incumbents.

And how would you do that?

 

[RetiredGySgt]

Why not change Congressional terms from 2 years to staggered 4 year terms? This would cut down on the incessant campaigning and fundraising on which Representatives are forced to spend a majority of their time while still affording the people ample opportunity to express their voting opinions. During the "off" years, each Representative would be subject to an "approval" vote: If a majority voted no, they would not be allowed to run for reelection.

Aside from the political obstacles of Amending the Constitution, what do you think of this concept?

Again it would require an amendment and I can just see the Representatives lining up to approve it.

 

[jwoodie]

Why not change Congressional terms from 2 years to staggered 4 year terms? This would cut down on the incessant campaigning and fundraising on which Representatives are forced to spend a majority of their time while still affording the people ample opportunity to express their voting opinions. During the "off" years, each Representative would be subject to an "approval" vote: If a majority voted no, they would not be allowed to run for reelection.

Aside from the political obstacles of Amending the Constitution, what do you think of this concept?

Again it would require an amendment and I can just see the Representatives lining up to approve it.

Again: "Aside from the political obstacles of Amending the Constitution, what do you think of this concept?"

 

[dblack]

If we want to limit the power of incumbency, we need to limit the power of incumbents.

And how would you do that?

Primarily by limiting their ability to reward friends and punish enemies via the tax code and arbitrary regulation.

 

[jwoodie]

If we want to limit the power of incumbency, we need to limit the power of incumbents.

And how would you do that?

Primarily by limiting their ability to reward friends and punish enemies via the tax code and arbitrary regulation.

Do you mean their ability to pass new laws? If not, what? Please be specific.

 

[dblack]

And how would you do that?

Primarily by limiting their ability to reward friends and punish enemies via the tax code and arbitrary regulation.

Do you mean their ability to pass new laws?

Exactly. It would take Constitutional changes. Either amendments or a Court with some balls.

 

[jwoodie]

Primarily by limiting their ability to reward friends and punish enemies via the tax code and arbitrary regulation.

Do you mean their ability to pass new laws?

Exactly. It would take Constitutional changes. Either amendments or a Court with some balls.

So you would abolish Congress and rely on an Imperial Presidency?

 

[dblack]

Do you mean their ability to pass new laws?

Exactly. It would take Constitutional changes. Either amendments or a Court with some balls.

So you would abolish Congress and rely on an Imperial Presidency?

???

no.

 

[Shanty]

If we want to limit the power of incumbency, we need to limit the power of incumbents.

And how would you do that?

Primarily by limiting their ability to reward friends and punish enemies via the tax code and arbitrary regulation.

You'd have to undo Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution.

 

[dblack]

And how would you do that?

Primarily by limiting their ability to reward friends and punish enemies via the tax code and arbitrary regulation.

You'd have to undo Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution.

Or undo it's 'miscontruction' in case law. But yeah, probably better to rewrite it for clarity.

 

[jwoodie]

Exactly. It would take Constitutional changes. Either amendments or a Court with some balls.

So you would abolish Congress and rely on an Imperial Presidency?

???

no.

Translation: If you removed its ability to pass laws, what function would Congress perform?

 

[dblack]

So you would abolish Congress and rely on an Imperial Presidency?

???

no.

Translation: If you removed its ability to pass laws, what function would Congress perform?

That's not what I was suggesting. I want to limit their ability to intervene in the economy, as long as they can use legislation to reward their benefactors, and punish their detractors, their services will be for sale to the highest bidder.

 

[whitehall]

The answer of course is educated voters. Why does the left (and the moderate right) hate the Tea Party? Because they force politicians to respond to their constituency.