Groups and Events By State

In just about every political discussion in which you engage these days, someone brings up term limits as the answer to ridding Washington of all its troubles.  These people claim that career politicians are the problem and by enacting term limits on Congress, we, the people, will regain control of our government.  As grounds for this idea, term limit proponents frequently refer to the words of James Madison, where in The Federalist, No. 57 he wrote concerning members of the House of Representatives, “Before the sentiments impressed on their minds by the mode of their elevation can be effaced by the exercise of power, they will be compelled to anticipate the moment when their power is to cease, when their exercise of it is to be reviewed, and when they must descend to the level from which they were raised; there for ever to remain…”  These words suggest that Madison felt that members of the House of Representatives would serve but one term and then go back to whatever endeavors the members engaged in prior to their election.

Before a response to this argument is posited, allow a brief story to fill your mind.  This story is a hypothetical account of what might have happened to one such representative, had those seeking congressional term limits in the late 1950’s succeeded in their quest.

It is 1966.  California.  A 55-year-old man with an unyielding fervor for his country and a strong desire to serve the people of his state seeks election to the House of Representatives.  The people from his district are solidly behind him, though they wonder if he has sufficient experience for this position.  He is a man filled with energy, dedicated to the ideal of returning this nation to the status the founding fathers had envisioned.  On Election Day, this man receives the ultimate reward for his diligence – he is elected to represent his constituents in Congress.  Not surprisingly, he goes to Washington, D.C., and with great honor, fulfills the promises he made to those who sent him.  No one can question his commitment or his record of achievements.  He has stayed true to his word and fought for the betterment of his legislative district and the nation as a whole.  Not once, did he stray from his ethics, nor did he fall prey to special interest groups.  He is a champion of those less fortunate, a believer in small government, lower taxes, and true freedom for the people of this land.  There is no one who seeks to challenge his re-election.  Thus, two years hence, the electorate joyfully returns him to Congress for a second term.  Once more, this principled man serves his constituency according to their wishes, engendering in them, tremendous respect for him and his righteous behavior.  He has become not just the favorite son of his district, but of all California.  Two years pass and it is time once more for his constituents to decide upon the name of their elected representative; but alas, his name can no longer be placed on the ballot due to previously enacted term limits upon all members of Congress by way of a constitutional amendment these very same constituents voted for just 8 years prior.  Heartbroken, they are forced to cast their vote toward a lesser choice, one they would never have sought out, had they not been erroneously swayed to enact term limits. 

This man, upon whom his constituents had laid great respect, is no longer eligible to serve in the House of Representatives; the man they loved, the one for whom they wished, must now step aside and return to private life or seek a different elective office.  Being true to his love of country and our constitution, this man does not utter a single complaint; instead, he retires to his ranch to determine what his future will hold.  This man’s name is Ronald Reagan.  As previously mentioned, this story is a hypothetical look at what might have happened had Ronald Reagan run for Congress instead of the governorship of California, and had term limits been in place as many now wish.

The point of this story is this – that by ‘term-limiting’ our minds, the idea of congressional term limits sounds great when the voters are disgusted by the actions of their elected officials, yet it quickly becomes an anathema when we, the very same voters, seek to retain a greatly appreciated representative.  We, the people, cannot have it both ways!  We must learn that we cannot subscribe to short-term thinking when the long-term effects of that thinking have not been fully explained or explored.  We must unleash our minds and accept the responsibility placed upon us by our constitution – that we actively engage in every election, to ensure that those who deserve to represent us are retained to do just that, and those who are found not so deserving, are sent home.

In conclusion, let us return to the remaining words of James Madison on this subject, where, in the last portion of the previously quoted language from The Federalist, No. 57, he finished by stating, “…unless a faithful discharge of their trust shall have established their title to a renewal of it”.  Madison knew that freedom rests with the electorate, not by way of limiting our choices, but by each voter fulfilling his or her constitutional responsibilities.  Enough said!

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