The debate on whether term restrictions should apply to members of the #House and #Senate has been discussed for decades. None have been put in place despite several efforts to implement mandatory term limits. These restrictions are necessary considering the prevalent abuse of power by vested interests, and the issue of long-serving, aging incumbents.
It makes little sense for national lawmakers to hold on to their seats for decades on end. The numbers are revealing. Robert C. Byrd holds the record for the longest term held in the Senate at 51 years, 5 months, and 26 days. This was from January 1959 through June 2010. Even longer is the record held by House member John Dingell Jr. from 1955 to 2015 - that's over 59 years. These figures are telling of a democracy that blocks out new entrants and fresh perspectives. Also, if the President is limited to two four-year terms, there is no reason for other elected officials to enjoy life-long terms.
Without term limits, lawmakers end up on a power trip, and become increasingly disconnected from their voter base. Without an end in sight, they view their work as a life-long, well paying job. Moreover, appointments are made based on seniority (with little accountability) instead of merit. Those serving in Congress need to do so with the common good in mind, and never lose sight of the temporariness of their job.
Also, the pressure of constant re-election pushes lawmakers to spend most of their time posturing and raising campaign funds, either from voters or vested business groups. If elected officials had term limits, they would seize the day and stay focused on the task at hand.
Unending term limits also leads to #corruption and incompetency as members begin lobbying for self-serving policies instead of those required by their constituent base. Special interests groups, lobbyists, and advocacy groups have been resisting term limits because they are aware that recycling members in and out of office would upset that balance and their influence. Currying favor with their preferred elected official would no longer be easy.
In stark contrast, most Americans support congressional turnover. A 2013 poll by Gallup revealed that nearly 75 percent of Americans support congressional term limits, and there was practically no bipartisan disagreement. This reflects the erosion of trust in elected representatives.
A democracy can only function if fresh new ideas are part of the decision-making process, and for this, a change in the old guard is necessary. The monopoly of a few needs to go in order to clean up Congress.
