Term Limits or Nobility?
When our country was founded the framers of its structure did not put into place term limits, but left it open for future legislators to do so if deemed appropriate. Initially our President didn't have term limits, in fact FDR was elected to a 4th term! The 22nd Amendment changed all of that on March 24th 1947 following our 32nd president's 4th electoral win in 1944, and ratified in 1951. Thirty-two president's before term limits! Something I bet most are unaware of.
Some of our nations founders were okay with life-appointments for the office of president while others, such as George Mason, denounced such ideas as establishing an 'elected monarchy'. I think Mason was right and I think I can prove it.
Have you ever wondered why it is that our members of congress are not subject to term limits? While I was discussing the topic with my wife, she quickly looked up the current Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. She has been serving in the House since 1987 starting her 17th term in 2019! She followed in her father's footsteps whom was a congressman from 1939-1947 when he was elected Mayor of Baltimore serving from 1947-1959, President of Baltimore City council from '63-67, and again Mayor from '67-71. Thomas D'Alesandro Jr. showed his youngest child and only daughter that one can make a career out of public service. Like her father, she too entered politics and hasn't really done anything else. She isn't seeking the Office of the President, although she is currently second in line for it, why would she? As a congresswoman she has no term limits and is the most powerful female politician in American history.
While doing what your father, or mother, did doesn't make you an elected noble, and in Nancy's case it is hardly a dynasty as one might suggest about the Bush Family, or the Kennedy's, but I might argue that these particularly longs runs of power enable a form of Political Familial Privileged. Where is her legacy? She turned 80 this year, just over a month ago in fact, only one of her five children, Christine, entered into politics (that I know of) as Political Strategist for the Democratic Party. She does have a nephew, or nephew-in-law, that you might have heard of... Gavin Newsom. Yep, the Governor of the most populated and economically powerful state in the US can call her 'Auntie Nancy'. Not quite as dynastic as other American families, but I don't think anyone would argue that such connections do not help. While Newsom is a talented bloke, connections create opportunities.
We looked up a couple other, long-term, politicians and found similar political histories and connections, and we began to wonder how much this actually differs from the courting nobility of Europe's past? Particularly England. Sure we still have elections, but with party power, funding, and a connected, wealthy family behind you how could you lose? Well it is possible, but unlikely. Money gets you adds, connections earn you favors and donors, and on it goes. It is just like the Lords and Ladies of old, buying position... buying power. And being bought. Let us not forget that those donors and connections are always requiring a quid pro quo, that is politics. We expect it with foreign policy but we never like it when it occurs domestically, well those of us without the money to influence our own politicians. No, instead we each have to give a little to some special interest that can collectively buy us some actual representation. How rich does someone without term limits get after 33 years serving? Nancy's net worth is $120M, I'd say public service has paid pretty well. Sure, her husbands construction company is the major source of income, getting all those state contracts and inflated rates will do that.
So, term limits. Probably a good idea for all elected officials, not just the President. Of course there's the corrupting money game, god we need to somehow get the money out of politics. Andrew Yang had a great idea on how to do that, at least in part. The problem with implementing term limits and getting the money out of politics is; the very people hired to make such changes are precisely the people currently benefiting from it. The genius is that there is no single King, Queen, or Lord to blame, rather we are left trying to figure out which name on the ballot is the least bad.
Until the peasants revolt nothing will change, and the status quo will go on so long as those in power keep the peasants content enough to go on sitting on their hands. In the meantime the American nobility will continue working diligently and convincing us that we, the peasantry should surrender our liberties in our own self-interest. We must curb our speech, shame our religions, surrender our arms, lay down our lives in Empire-expanding wars, and pay more taxes... all in the name of the kingdom.
Some of our nations founders were okay with life-appointments for the office of president while others, such as George Mason, denounced such ideas as establishing an 'elected monarchy'. I think Mason was right and I think I can prove it.
Have you ever wondered why it is that our members of congress are not subject to term limits? While I was discussing the topic with my wife, she quickly looked up the current Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. She has been serving in the House since 1987 starting her 17th term in 2019! She followed in her father's footsteps whom was a congressman from 1939-1947 when he was elected Mayor of Baltimore serving from 1947-1959, President of Baltimore City council from '63-67, and again Mayor from '67-71. Thomas D'Alesandro Jr. showed his youngest child and only daughter that one can make a career out of public service. Like her father, she too entered politics and hasn't really done anything else. She isn't seeking the Office of the President, although she is currently second in line for it, why would she? As a congresswoman she has no term limits and is the most powerful female politician in American history.
While doing what your father, or mother, did doesn't make you an elected noble, and in Nancy's case it is hardly a dynasty as one might suggest about the Bush Family, or the Kennedy's, but I might argue that these particularly longs runs of power enable a form of Political Familial Privileged. Where is her legacy? She turned 80 this year, just over a month ago in fact, only one of her five children, Christine, entered into politics (that I know of) as Political Strategist for the Democratic Party. She does have a nephew, or nephew-in-law, that you might have heard of... Gavin Newsom. Yep, the Governor of the most populated and economically powerful state in the US can call her 'Auntie Nancy'. Not quite as dynastic as other American families, but I don't think anyone would argue that such connections do not help. While Newsom is a talented bloke, connections create opportunities.
We looked up a couple other, long-term, politicians and found similar political histories and connections, and we began to wonder how much this actually differs from the courting nobility of Europe's past? Particularly England. Sure we still have elections, but with party power, funding, and a connected, wealthy family behind you how could you lose? Well it is possible, but unlikely. Money gets you adds, connections earn you favors and donors, and on it goes. It is just like the Lords and Ladies of old, buying position... buying power. And being bought. Let us not forget that those donors and connections are always requiring a quid pro quo, that is politics. We expect it with foreign policy but we never like it when it occurs domestically, well those of us without the money to influence our own politicians. No, instead we each have to give a little to some special interest that can collectively buy us some actual representation. How rich does someone without term limits get after 33 years serving? Nancy's net worth is $120M, I'd say public service has paid pretty well. Sure, her husbands construction company is the major source of income, getting all those state contracts and inflated rates will do that.
So, term limits. Probably a good idea for all elected officials, not just the President. Of course there's the corrupting money game, god we need to somehow get the money out of politics. Andrew Yang had a great idea on how to do that, at least in part. The problem with implementing term limits and getting the money out of politics is; the very people hired to make such changes are precisely the people currently benefiting from it. The genius is that there is no single King, Queen, or Lord to blame, rather we are left trying to figure out which name on the ballot is the least bad.
Until the peasants revolt nothing will change, and the status quo will go on so long as those in power keep the peasants content enough to go on sitting on their hands. In the meantime the American nobility will continue working diligently and convincing us that we, the peasantry should surrender our liberties in our own self-interest. We must curb our speech, shame our religions, surrender our arms, lay down our lives in Empire-expanding wars, and pay more taxes... all in the name of the kingdom.
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-J