Posted on Jul 12, 2015
CH (MAJ) William Beaver
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I have a proposal for term limits for all three federal branches. But does anyone beside me think we need term limits for all branches?

Here's my proposal:

President and VP: no re-election. Simply one 6-year term. Election held every six years (starting 2016).

Supreme Court: Still appointed and confirmed, but get one 10 year term.

Senate: One 6 year term. Half elected same year as President (2016) and other half 3 years later (2019).

Representatives: One 4 year term. 1/3 of House elected every 3 years (2016, 2019, 2022).

Congress and President can run for re-election and serve ONE MORE TERM, but must stay out of the office for one full term between occupying any federal office.

Sample election cycle:
2016: President, Senate 1, House 1
2019: Senate 2, House 2
2022: President, Senate 1, House 3
2025: Senate 2, House 1
2028: President, Senate 1, House 2
2031: Senate 1, House 3
....and so on.

What do you think?
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Responses: 51
1SG Robert Rush
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yes they should, including the supreme court.
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LTC Owner
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Put that on the ballot... let the people choose!
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ENS Ansi Officer
ENS (Join to see)
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An excellent idea, LTC (Join to see)!
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CPT Alan W.
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Edited >1 y ago
The terms lengths are okay, maybe don't need to be changed. The only exception might be SCOTUS, it's tough to remain relevant for 30 years. 10 to 20 years, maybe somewhere in between might be appropriate for SCOTUS. A 2 term limit for elected positions is a good choice.

I think where we can really improve is in shortening our election cycles. 6 weeks max from when candidates can announce and start campaigning to election. No political advertising until 6 weeks prior, and possibly no advertising from anyone other than the candidates. Ballot measures would have to handled differently but should still have a 6 week campaign period.
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COL Ted Mc
COL Ted Mc
>1 y
CPT Alan W. - Captain; Cutting the election campaign down to 12 weeks from the current 208.7 is a really good idea.

I don't like the idea of no advertising from anyone but the candidate, but I would approve on no advertising unless it contained (in big bold letters) either "This advertisement has been approved by __[fill in the blank]__ and __[fill in the blank]__ supports all of the statements in it 100%" or "__[fill in the blank]__ refuses to endorse this advertisement and disclaims any connection with the people who are paying for it." PLUS listing the actual names and business telephone numbers of the "directing minds" of the group/person that is paying for the advertisement.
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PO3 Jonathan Cooper
PO3 Jonathan Cooper
>1 y
Love this idea CPT. Add that they can't start fundraising until 9 months before teh election. Keeps the money limited as well.
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SSG Nuclear Security Officer
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Unfortunately what you are limiting in that scenario is the First Amendment, Free Speech. Saying someone can't run an add, or campaign is censorship. Because of the First Amendment, I could actually start campaigning right now for the 2020 election, but that is what freedom is for.
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CPT Alan W.
CPT Alan W.
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SSG (Join to see) - Good point, although there is a good bit of precedent for restricting certain types of advertising that doesn't violate the 1st Amendment. Thanks for the input!
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