Overwhelming majorities of Republicans, Democrats and Independents favor term limits for all members of the U.S. Congress – including their own Senators and Representatives.
That’s according to a new poll released on Friday by FOX News.
While 84 percent of Republicans support term limits, 74 percent of Democrats and Independents also support them. All told, 78 percent of voters support term limits, compared to just 16 percent who oppose them.
We strongly support term limits here at FITS. Sure … there are some critics who claim that they are anti-democratic, but seriously … what could be more democratic than a majority of citizens determining how long their elected officials should serve?
Also it’s painfully clear at this point that no matter which party is in charge in Washington, nothing will ever truly change without something shaking up the current status quo that’s in place – and term limits would clearly do that.
We’ve heard it said many times that “we have term limits already … they’re called elections” (in fact that line was from one of our favorite episodes of The West Wing), but the last time we checked every state that adopted term limits for its legislature did so via … wait for it … an election. By contrast, New York City’s mayor and city council arbitrarily undid the city’s term limits last year – a shady backroom deal that overturned the results of two citywide elections.
Sixteen years ago, term limits was one of the key agenda items of the “Contract with America.” It was also one of the first things that Newt Gingrich and Co. tossed overboard once they were elected. And when the “Republican Revolutionaries” bailed on term limits (and on appropriations caps), trust us … the “Revolution” was over.
Now more than ever, America needs term limits.
And so does South Carolina … which is why (to her credit) GOP gubernatorial nominee Nikki Haley has included them as part of her government reform agenda.
Given such a huge groundswell of public support (that cuts across party and ideological lines) let’s hope that 2011 is the year we finally get them in both Washington, D.C. and Columbia.
By Ohmaar September 4, 2010 at 3:40 pm
There isn’t an office in American that doesn’t already have term limits built in.
It’s called “Vote for the other guy next time”
I think if voters were required to pass a basic issues competency test before they could enter the polls we would immediately solve the incumbent idiot problem. Unfortunately, even idiots get representation in our representative republic.
By yarrrr September 4, 2010 at 6:46 pm
“”" It’s called “Vote for the other guy next time” “”"
Do you have a problem with the 22nd amendment?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution
So many of the seats are not competitive in the general election. And party politics is a strong prevention of primary challenges.
By eggaday September 4, 2010 at 11:43 pm
term limits are only valid across the entire spectrum of government employment, ie:8 years of being a Congressman does NOT entitle ( fancy that word ) anyone to next have 8 years as Governor then 8 years of Senator.
Once, one term is a gracious plenty for the cast of characters presenting themselves for public employment as of late.
By Nymphradora September 5, 2010 at 10:03 am
Sic – This is all well and good. Now let’s get back to SC politics. You’ve got Nikki, Alvin, DeMint, Sanford, Earl, Larry, Doris…..keep the fire alive.
By JM September 5, 2010 at 10:38 am
I have the same pic as my background..good choice FITS
By Jules September 5, 2010 at 4:51 pm
This widespread and growing sentiment, embraced by Nikki Haley, is the only thing that concerns the status quo insiders controlling our state.
McConnell, Leatherman, Courson, Harrell, Hutto and the other bad actors.
By 2012 it will be a tsunami.
They will run like rats.
I can’t wait.
By Nope September 5, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Unconstitutional. That’s all that needs to be said.
It is not democratic. Democratic would be, oh, what we have now–you can vote them out! People should have that choice.
Obviously, It won’t happen on the national stage without a constitutional ammendment(unlikely). On the state-level, I’ll agree taht there is definitely a good argument for them, but a lot of states already have them, and it’s clear more will soon. No news there.
By Jules September 5, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Dear “Nope”:
Your posting is confusing.
You write,
“Unconstitutional. Not democratic. Democratic would be ‘you can vote them out.’ People should have that choice.”
Below is a list of 15 states that have voted for constitutional referendums to limit the terms of both houses of their state legislatures.
That is what I support in South Carolina: a constitutional referendum.
Nikki Haley will lead this movement and make it a “cause célèbre.”
I encourage you to write to your local newspaper and publicly support the movement.
It is indeed possible. The powerful insiders will rail against their own constituents who support this, and it will be a good show. Democracy in action, as you say.
You could run for the House or Senate yourself. Give it some thought. They only meet Tuesdays through Thursdays between January and May, and there is a movement afoot to limit the legislative session to every other year.
That means that ordinary citizens – not professional politicians and lawyers – can represent us. Our founding fathers NEVER expected legislators to serve for decades.
Help throw the bums out.
Vote indeed — vote for the referendum.
Jules
http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14844
National Conference of State Legislatures
“The Term Limited States,” updated June 2009
“The following table represents the 15 states that currently have term limits for legislators. They are ordered by the year of term limits’ impact — the first year in which incumbents who were serving when the term limits measure was passed are no longer eligible to run for re-election.”
For more information:
Jennie Drage Bowser tracks term limits, and may be reached at
303-364-7700 or
elections-info@ncsl.org.
1. MAINE (1993)
2. CALIFORNIA (1990)
3. COLORADO (1990)
4. ARKANSAS (1992)
5. MICHIGAN (1992)
6. FLORIDA (1992)
7. OHIO (1992)
8. SOUTH DAKOTA (1992)
9. MONTANA (1992)
10. ARIZONA (1992)
11. MISSOURI (1992)
12. OKLAHOMA (1990)
13. NEBRASKA (2000)
14. LOUISIANA (1995)
15. NEVADA (1996)
By countryboy September 6, 2010 at 7:51 am
What about term limits for the idiots who keep voting for the politicians such as Spratt?
By Billy Bob September 6, 2010 at 8:03 am
You were doing ok until “to her credit…” NOTHING is to her credit – - she will be the laughing stock of the world if elected with her contradictory views and actions. Oh, we already are………
By Nope September 6, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Jules–you should look into US Term Limits Inc VS Thornton. It is unconstitutional at the Federal level. You’re the one who is confused.
By Watching from Afar September 6, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Term limits would be awesome for the lobbying and consulting business since they would be the only ones that would really know anything. Staffers will remain and the relationships that the lobbyists have with them will become even stronger. Populist idea, terrible in reality. And besides, you can choose to limit their term any election cycle you wish…with enough votes