THE MORNING RANT: Term Limits Are Necessary Because Voters Don’t Realistically Have the Capability to Unseat Incumbents in Primary Elections

Term limits are needed for those serving in Congress. I would even argue that term limits are necessary if we are going “to save our precious democracy.”

(Let’s not argue about the technical definition of democracy. I am accepting for argument purposes that “democracy” is a euphemism for a representative government that is elected by its citizens.)

We have reached a point where several of the most powerful leadership positions in Congress have been held in recent years by persons who are clearly no longer mentally fit to govern, yet they are completely untouchable at the polls. Below them in seniority are hundreds more entrenched Representatives and Senators who are unextractable.

There are a great many conservative pundits and thinkers whom I respect that argue against term limits. They make the case that, “We already have term limits, they’re called elections.”

Respectfully, they’re wrong.

It may occasionally be possible to replace an incumbent with someone from another party at the ballot box, but the cards are so stacked against primary challenges to an incumbent that pulling off a win is akin to a 16-seed winning a basketball game in March Madness. It can happen – rarely - but it’s almost impossible.

Above all else, it takes enormous amounts of money to run for Congress. Congressional districts often straddle multiple media markets, and Senate races encompass an entire state. Like water flowing downhill, campaign contributions from those seeking favor with government are going to flow to those in government currently holding that power. The small contributions raised by a primary challenger will almost always be dwarfed by the contributions flowing to the incumbent. A lack of money for the challenger means a lack of media access, which means a lack of public awareness.

Defenders of the status quo will argue that a challenger can start knocking doors and shaking hands. Perhaps a small subset of a district’s neighborhood can be walked. But with each Congressional district now representing over 760,000 residents, the notion that a challenger can knock on every constituent’s door during a campaign is as believable as Santa Claus coming down every chimney on Christmas Eve.

It takes money and media to run for office - something that incumbents also get abundant access to at taxpayer expense. Congressional “franking” privileges allow Congressmen to use taxpayer funds to send mailers and buy media ads to promote what they are doing for their constituents. Here is just one example, but it is done by pretty much everyone in Congress.

“Rule changes open door for lawmakers to rely further on ads funded by taxpayers” [The Hill – 9/15/2022]

A recent television ad from Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who is running in one of the most competitive House districts in the country, was paid for by taxpayer funds.
The ad shows a montage that included Border Patrol vehicles, law enforcement activity and Cuellar’s own photo. Movie-score-like instrumental music plays in the background.
“I continue to secure funding for Border Patrol and law enforcement for more boots on the ground, equipment and technology,” Cuellar says in the ad. “I’m fighting to keep your families safe. I’m Henry Cuellar, representing the best interests in South Texas.”
The ad was paid for through the House’s “franked” communications, which allow members to use official funds for each of their offices on communications to constituents.

It is an uneven playing field for a challenger when the incumbent has this much ability to campaign for free.

Defenders of the status quo will argue that “Americans hate Congress but love their own Congressman.” No, we don’t. However, we can’t afford to: 1) Surrender that Congressional / Senate seat to the other party; and 2) Surrender that Congressman’s seniority.

All 435 members of the House are not equal in power. Again, Congress has rigged it rules such that long-tenured members have much greater power and authority due to seniority. Replacing my 7-term Congressman, who has several plum committee assignments, with a rookie would mean that voters in my district are surrendering representation and influence. Again, voters are not affirming the status quo by continually returning their Representatives to Congress, they are responding as they must by how the rules are currently rigged. Term limits would flush out those with seniority and force the change that 1 district out of 435 cannot change.

Another argument from the anti-term limits crowd is that, “Power will switch to the permanent bureaucracy.” Lawmaking via regulatory power has already been overwhelmingly outsourced to the bureaucracy. Fresh blood in Congress would provide an opportunity to bring in people who might actually challenge the power of the permanent bureaucracy, rather than defend and serve it as the uniparty does now.

A few election cycles ago, farm state Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) were able to flip Democrat Senate seats because their opponents forgot that they were supposed to represent their constituents, not the Washington DC establishment. But Thune and Ernst have been in DC long enough now that they too are openly and actively representing the permanent DC establishment at the expense of their constituents and conservatives. Unfortunately, as discussed here, it would be impossible to beat them in a Republican primary. So the only way for South Dakota and Iowa to replace Thune or Ernst with a Senator that would actually represent them is to vote for a Democrat and then hope to unseat that Democrat in six years.

Opponents of term limits will argue that incumbents are occasionally unseated in primaries. For instance, Liz Cheney, lost her primary re-election.

This actually proves my point. Liz Cheney was elected on her daddy’s name, turned left, aligned herself with Nancy Pelosi to punish Trump and Trump voters, and openly spoke of her contempt for Republican voters. In response, the voters she so openly despised voted her out of office. Most political creatures are smarter than this political nepot, and they don’t go around professing hatred for their voters, but that is what it took to unseat an incumbent in a primary.

But what about Eric Cantor? He was the Republican House Majority Leader when he was defeated in the primary while running for re-election in 2014. This is the “16-seed-beating-a-1-seed” scenario. It can happen, but it is extremely rare, and the establishment was apoplectic at Tea Party Republicans for surrendering all of Cantor’s “leadership,” “expertise,” “seniority,” etc for a movement candidate with no experience and no respect from the establishment.

The same establishment Republicans who mock us for promoting term limits while we continue to re-elect our own incumbent congressman, were blind with rage at us when we actually did throw an entrenched incumbent out during a primary. Suffice it to say, the establishment is using its resources to ensure there will be no more Cantors. Since Cantor’s loss, any candidate challenging an incumbent is quickly smeared as a gadfly and an extremist by those with power and resources. This successfully deters most respectable people from engaging in long-shot primary races against incumbents.

The simplistic belief that access to the ballot renders term limits unnecessary is as idealistically utopian as believing in the benevolent communitarianism of communism, or in the benign anarchy of libertarianism. People who have attained power will seek to retain power, and those in power have weighted the playing field so heavily in favor of incumbency that meaningful turnover cannot happen at the ballot box.

No one should have access to such power indefinitely. We need term limits to force a turnover of those holding power in Congress.

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:03 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 st!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 06, 2023 11:04 AM (vqhPW)

2 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:04 AM (Zz0t1)

3 SPONGE!!!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 06, 2023 11:04 AM (vqhPW)

4 Winning.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:04 AM (Zz0t1)

5 System is rigged

Posted by: Skip at November 06, 2023 11:04 AM (fwDg9)

6 *fistbump*

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:04 AM (Zz0t1)

7 Winning.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:04 AM

*fistbump*

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 06, 2023 11:05 AM (vqhPW)

8 The Others have been summoned.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 06, 2023 11:05 AM (vqhPW)

9 I'm late!

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at November 06, 2023 11:05 AM (zjgNU)

10 Willowed:

375
This is sadly hilarious.

Though somewhat sympathetic to the restaurant, I predict a quick closing.

Cuz this is too subjective. One of us always took the kiddo(s) outside and walked them around a bit if they were too wound up or young to understand then switched off with the other. But, some folk just do not parent little Hunter and Chloe.

Anyway...restaurant charge $50 fee for "misbehaving children":

https://www.foodandwine.com/toccoa-riverside-

restaurant-charges-extra-fee-for-poorly-behaved-kids-8384540

Posted by: naturalfake at November 06, 2023 11:05 AM (QzZeQ)

11 It may occasionally be possible to replace an incumbent with someone from another party at the ballot box, but the cards are so stacked against primary challenges to an incumbent that pulling off a win is akin to a 16-seed winning a basketball game in March Madness. It can happen – rarely - but it’s almost impossible.

We just need a bunch of Jimmer Fredette's!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:06 AM (Zz0t1)

12 Term limits 'can' also work against you, but if you couple term limits with limits on the ability of the government to accrue power, that kind of takes care of itself.

In our case, this is all bad with no upside.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:07 AM (Gbphe)

13 excellent Buck you're completely correct!!!

Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 06, 2023 11:07 AM (AcWfM)

14 It won't matter because voters have zero ability to unseat bureaucrats, and the bureaucrats are the actual rulers.... and term limits empower bureaucrats.

Posted by: DocMerlin at November 06, 2023 11:07 AM (jRh4q)

15 Another argument from the anti-term limits crowd is that, “Power will switch to the permanent bureaucracy.” Lawmaking via regulatory power has already been overwhelmingly outsourced to the bureaucracy. Fresh blood in Congress would provide an opportunity to bring in people who might actually challenge the power of the permanent bureaucracy, rather than defend and serve it as the uniparty does now.
++++
This point I certainly agree with. There is no risk of usurpation by the deep state. That has already happened. No use fretting about escaping horses when the barn was left open some decades ago.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:07 AM (ELpxa)

16 There are no "elections." People who still think "voting" matters are delusional. The entire system is corrupt and broken.

Politicians are selected for us. The illusion that your vote matters is just that. An illusion.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 06, 2023 11:07 AM (Q4IgG)

17 Steven Crowder @scrowder 42m
🚨 BREAKING: Nashville School Covenant Shooter Audrey Hale’s “DEATH DAY” Manifesto Targeted “Cr*ckers” with “white privlages”

“wanna kill all you little cr*ckers”

“I hope I have a high death count”

"I'm ready...I hope my victims aren't."

"Ready to die."

#NashvilleManifesto

https://tinyurl.com/4ynph22h
Xtweet with screencaps; see sock link for full report including more Manifesto screencaps and pullquotes. She used, "Bunch of little faggots w/ your white privlages fuck you faggots" several times whining about the rich kids.

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at November 06, 2023 11:07 AM (krqg6)

18 A better solution would be doubling or tripling the number of house seats.

Posted by: Montec at November 06, 2023 11:08 AM (bWsRe)

19 Short of a constitutional amendment, how can this be done?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 06, 2023 11:08 AM (3Gtis)

20 I want to see a law where no candidate running for office other than President can receive money from another state outside the state they're running to represent.

Period.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:08 AM (Zz0t1)

21 She sounds nice.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:09 AM (Gbphe)

22 There are no "elections." People who still think "voting" matters are delusional. The entire system is corrupt and broken.

Politicians are selected for us. The illusion that your vote matters is just that. An illusion.
Posted by: Martini Farmer

It needs to burn.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:09 AM (G8h7g)

23 I want to see a law where no candidate running for office other than President can receive money from another state outside the state they're running to represent.

Period.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:08 AM (Zz0t1)

Or country.

It has to have teeth.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 06, 2023 11:09 AM (3Gtis)

24 You can see why they did not want it released.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:09 AM (Gbphe)

25 We have term limits here in Kalifornia and it has not worked. As long as the new guy coming in has the same staff.. and they almost all do, there is no change. A great idea on paper but one that does not work unless staffers are all fired too... which they won't be because they know the ropes and the new doesn't.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at November 06, 2023 11:09 AM (17s+e)

26 Morning Morons,
I'm back from Charleston. It was nice, if surprisingly cold.

And yes, term limits should have always been baked in. 12 years and out.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at November 06, 2023 11:10 AM (xcxpd)

27 I like where the killer called little kids that she was about to kill "weak."

she went for the smallest ones; that was her plan

she wanted to target the small kids and the oldsters

Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 06, 2023 11:10 AM (AcWfM)

28
Or country.

It has to have teeth.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 06, 2023 11:09 AM (3Gtis)

I thought that was already the case, just violated often with no consequence.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:10 AM (Zz0t1)

29 The most common argument I hear against term limits is that "It will just give the congressional staffers more power."

To which my response is, then make the members of Congress take their staffers with them when they leave office once their term limits have been reached.

Posted by: Bularoctonus at November 06, 2023 11:11 AM (JrojV)

30 Since we're discussing politics and incumbents, Michael Walsh had an excellent column this morning on why Biden will NOT be on the ticket come 11/24. Most of his points are points I've made here before many times, suggesting that once again, the people who write columns for a living get much of their material from places like this.

The only sour note was the arbitrary and irrelevant shot he took at Ukraine; something that happens here all the time, where Ukraine is apparently responsible for every world ill from the Lindbergh kidnapping to the heat death of the universe.

However, he also gets extra points for using "oubliette".

https://tinyurl.com/r4cdvpjw

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:11 AM (I/Qkd)

31 I want to see a law where no candidate running for office other than President can receive money from another state outside the state they're running to represent.

Period.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:08 AM (Zz0t1)

Or country.

It has to have teeth.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 06, 2023 11:09 AM (3Gtis)
---
Sounds good in theory, but they'll just set up a shell corporation or twenty within the state to handle out-of-state contributions.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 06, 2023 11:11 AM (YIVH2)

32 18 A better solution would be doubling or tripling the number of house seats.
Posted by: Montec at November 06, 2023 11:08 AM (bWsRe)

Dilution of power, sure, but also does not attack the overall power of the state.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:11 AM (Gbphe)

33 Incumbents rig the election cycle with districts tailor made for them and also use the party apparatus to sink challengers and run wild with donations, bribes, rape, whores, kick backs, ski trips, blackmail, extortion, tax schemes and rape.

The SCROTUM has already said "term limits" are unconstitutional but they should be the first ones "term limited".

Brett Kavanaugh can go home and suck his momma's teets.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 06, 2023 11:11 AM (R/m4+)

34 I like term limits because Congress should not be a career. Other pieces notwithstanding, it should be term-limited on that basis alone. Beyond that, there should be other restrictions, including based on mental aptitude. Everyone in elected government and with specific appointments - and I would argue also for everyone in the SES, or maybe even about GS-13 - should have to go through three annual cognitive ability tests (dementia tests), one every four months. Each should be administered by a doctor randomly selected from a pool of qualified doctors that have had no prior contact with the individual and are not from current or recent home territories. If the person fails any two tests in a rotating 12-month period, the person is cashiered.

Perhaps more than the corruption of permanent "service," the hanging-on of powerful and entrenched mental incompetents is a serious problem. The gerontocracy must be broken, and term limits won't fully stop that problem.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:12 AM (ELpxa)

35 The Founders never anticipated a scenario where elected officials would be so corrupt, greedy and selfish as to make a carrier out of elected office.

The Founders were so forward looking, yet they missed this -even though the house of Lords was a lifetime and hereditary appointment.

Posted by: Archer at November 06, 2023 11:12 AM (gmo/4)

36 Staffers already run things. The actual senator or congress criter is a ceremonial figure.

Posted by: Montec at November 06, 2023 11:12 AM (bWsRe)

37 I enforce Term Limits now.

Posted by: Death, shouldering a scythe at November 06, 2023 11:12 AM (4I/2K)

38 ---
Sounds good in theory, but they'll just set up a shell corporation or twenty within the state to handle out-of-state contributions.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 06, 2023 11:11 AM (YIVH2)

The IRS would be all over that.

*can't believe I was able to type that in it's entirity*

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:12 AM (Zz0t1)

39 she wanted to target the small kids and the oldsters
Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 06, 2023 11:10 AM (AcWfM)

Well, she was evil, insane and hopped up on hormones she had no business being on.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:13 AM (Gbphe)

40 I enforce Term Limits now.
Posted by: Death, shouldering a scythe at November 06, 2023 11:12 AM (4I/2K)

*tee hee*

Posted by: Jimmy Carter at November 06, 2023 11:13 AM (Zz0t1)

41 This point I certainly agree with. There is no risk of usurpation by the deep state. That has already happened. No use fretting about escaping horses when the barn was left open some decades ago.

Decades? The horses have gone feral and evolved into whales by now.

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:13 AM (I/Qkd)

42
term limits will never happen, because the people you want to term limit are the same people you need to legislate and pass term limits

even an Article V convention could not overcome that hurdle

Posted by: DB - at November 06, 2023 11:13 AM (geLO8)

43 To which my response is, then make the members of Congress take their staffers with them when they leave office once their term limits have been reached.
___

Like ancient Egypt when the pharoah was entombed with his still living servants? *contemplates*

Posted by: Chuck Martel at November 06, 2023 11:13 AM (fs1hN)

44 I enforce Term Limits now.
Posted by: Death

Talk about a slacker.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:13 AM (G8h7g)

45 Dilution of power, sure, but also does not attack the overall power of the state.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:11 AM (Gbphe)

Yeah I mean solely for the topic at hand. If it’s impossible to knock on 100,000 doors maybe it’s possible to knock on 35,000 doors. That was what I was getting at.

Posted by: Montec at November 06, 2023 11:13 AM (bWsRe)

46 So, I'm reading a steampunk fictional novel called 'Isolate'. It's fantasy elements don't bear on the issues but the book is basically a long, long discussion of government.

They have a parliamentary system, with an executive able to veto, no judicial review of laws, 66 senators, 3 parties (mandatory 3, no more or less) and no party can have a majority of seats in the Senate. Also, votes are secret, no accountability for who voted for what, just what party voted for and in what numbers.

I have my doubts about it but tossing it out there.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at November 06, 2023 11:14 AM (xcxpd)

47 Unless you can get a constitutional amendment through, term limits for Congress is a non starter. It is unrealistic to consider 2/3rds of the current US House and Senate to vote for it.

The only joker in the deck is the never used Article V Convention of the States to propose the amendment. That requires 2/3rds of the states to propose such a convention and arguably the convention cannot be limited in its proposals for amendments and even then 3/4 of each state's two legislative (Nebraska has one) bodies must ratify the amendment.

Posted by: whig at November 06, 2023 11:14 AM (yALKr)

48 I just want to note that California has had term limits for decades. And, well...

Term limits aren't a panacea.

Posted by: junior at November 06, 2023 11:14 AM (3TGpK)

49 It is an uneven playing field for a challenger when the incumbent has this much ability to campaign for free.
++++
Yes, which needs its own reform that has nothing to do with term limits. I favor term limits, but they don't solve this kind of problem.

There are many - mostly but not entirely on the left - who want to get private money out of politics. I take the opposite position. There should be no public money in politics, ever, for any reason. No public finance of campaigns, no public services or equipment, etc. The kind of ad you described here should be forbidden - no use of federal assets for campaigning. If the incumbent president wants to make a whistle-stop tour, his campaign will have to reimburse for the use of government resources. The president has to pay to run AF1, the Secret Service, the local government resources, etc. No free rides, no public money. Not for campaigning.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:14 AM (ELpxa)

50
Well, she was evil, insane and hopped up on hormones she had no business being on.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:13 AM (Gbphe)

Crowder's take on that was spot on.

The media and the left (but I repeat myself) have been BEGGING for this to happen.

Crowder ran the montage of leftist media clamoring about 'white privilege' all over the place.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:14 AM (Zz0t1)

51 Perhaps more than the corruption of permanent "service," the hanging-on of powerful and entrenched mental incompetents is a serious problem. The gerontocracy must be broken, and term limits won't fully stop that problem.

Why is everyone looking at me?

Posted by: The Turtle at November 06, 2023 11:14 AM (I/Qkd)

52 Could a state have a referendum to make their critters term limited?

Posted by: Montec at November 06, 2023 11:15 AM (bWsRe)

53 Posted by: Archer at November 06, 2023 11:12 AM (gmo/4)

They never saw the federal government gaining as much power as it did. They envisioned it as what people would look at as a burden- not a choice brass ring.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:15 AM (Gbphe)

54 43 To which my response is, then make the members of Congress take their staffers with them when they leave office once their term limits have been reached.
___

Like ancient Egypt when the pharoah was entombed with his still living servants? *contemplates*
Posted by: Chuck Marte

-----

Don't threaten me with a good time

Posted by: Ryan Frank at November 06, 2023 11:15 AM (fgmuN)

55 the Congress of the United States is the most exclusive and lucrative club in the world- get in, and you're set for life

no legislator is going to vote to limit his access to that club

Posted by: DB - at November 06, 2023 11:16 AM (geLO8)

56 I like the idea that you can't be a Senator unless you've built and paid for a an aqueduct.

Posted by: Puddinhead at November 06, 2023 11:16 AM (naiw2)

57 Why is everyone looking at me?
Posted by: The Turtle at November 06, 2023 11:14 AM (I/Qkd)
++++
You're the obvious one, but the bigger problem is less obvious.

What about Mueller, for example? He is a big shot with a lifetime job and was, apparently, incompetent. Or he was lying. We don't know, and that's a problem.

A cognitive testing requirement would answer that question. He's either incompetent - in which case, he's fired - or he's faking it and his Mickey the Dunce crap won't fly.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:16 AM (ELpxa)

58 39 Well, she was evil, insane and hopped up on hormones she had no business being on.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:13 AM (Gbphe)

Roid Rage.

Posted by: XTC at November 06, 2023 11:16 AM (UnA8+)

59
A cognitive testing requirement would answer that question. He's either incompetent - in which case, he's fired - or he's faking it and his Mickey the Dunce crap won't fly.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:16 AM (ELpxa)

*tee hee*

Posted by: Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:17 AM (Zz0t1)

60 *tee hee*
Posted by: Jimmy Carter at November 06, 2023 11:13 AM (Zz0t1)

Was gonna make a call for you, but I got high. Later, my dude.

Posted by: Death, shouldering a scythe at November 06, 2023 11:17 AM (4I/2K)

61 Quite a few referenda / ballot initiatives attempting to implement term limits have passed - only to be declared unconstitutional. Term limits require amendment(s) to the Constitution, which require action from both houses of Congress or actions from a super-majority of state legislatures. So elected officials at the fed level, who are currently benefitting from the lack of term limits, or elected officials at the state level who more than likely want to be at the fed level some day and benefit from the lack of term limits, are the only ones who can Constitutionally implement term limits.

Aint gonna happen.

Posted by: Doof at November 06, 2023 11:17 AM (fQR+9)

62 I’d rather a mandatory retirement age but I also would like Heather Graham to give me a beeger.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:18 AM (MNhXM)

63
The big problem here is that you're expecting the people who get term-limited to pass laws that term limit themselves.

I don't see it happening.

I would think that we could get a ban on out of country contributions and out of state contributions, but the same problem exists. The people whose money-grubbing is limited have to pass the laws limiting their money-grubbing.

Oh, and don't bring up the stupid Constitutional Convention idea, that's just silly.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 06, 2023 11:18 AM (QzZeQ)

64
Roid Rage.
Posted by: XTC at November 06, 2023 11:16 AM (UnA8+)

Every case of roid rage I've ever seen usually only leads to throwing your girlfriend off a balcony or punching her out and dragging her out of an elevator by her hair.

Not shooting up a school because you don't like convertible Mustangs.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:18 AM (Zz0t1)

65 Term limits are fine, if they're enforced. Political staffers need to be burned at the stake however. And then there are the special interest groups, lobbyists and whatnot that need to be dissolved too.

Then the remaining issue of what to do with the 2 million federal workers and deep state operatives.

The rot is very deep. Fixating on the politicians isn't going to cut it.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 06, 2023 11:18 AM (Q4IgG)

66 Our government was doomed from the moment it was able to monopolize the Treasury.

It was doubly-doomed once government gave itself the power to tax us into oblivion.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 06, 2023 11:18 AM (YIVH2)

67 Term limits for GOVERMENT WORKERS now that would improve things

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 06, 2023 11:18 AM (c2jYz)

68 Aint gonna happen.

Agreed.

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:18 AM (I/Qkd)

69 Been saying this for years...

Serve in Congress for 12 yrs max. That's 2 terms for Senate and 6 terms for Representatives. If you can't graft enough to keep you satisfied in that amount of time, you are doing it wrong.
And when I am elected High Empress this will happen.
Also...

Congress critters will be paid by the State from which they were elected. Their salary cannot legally exceed 3x poverty rate. State pays for their health insurance and owns the dormitory where all reps and sens are required to live. No private residence for these leeches.
The ins. and residence fees are part of the salary.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (cRrcX)

70 Aint gonna happen.
Posted by: Doof at November 06, 2023 11:17 AM (fQR+9)
++++
Right. It's all wishcasting, as is my wish to have mandatory dementia testing. The only thing that could potentially be done without an amendment is forbidding - period - any public resource for campaign purposes. I can't think of anything else that is doable without an amendment, and thus it will never happen.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (ELpxa)

71 You're the obvious one, but the bigger problem is less obvious.

What about Mueller, for example? He is a big shot with a lifetime job and was, apparently, incompetent. Or he was lying. We don't know, and that's a problem.

A cognitive testing requirement would answer that question. He's either incompetent - in which case, he's fired - or he's faking it and his Mickey the Dunce crap won't fly.
Posted by: Joe Mannix

*Ruth Bader Ginsburg has entered the chat.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (G8h7g)

72 If term limits isn't in the Constitution, couldn't the states do this under the 10th Amendment? Seems doable to me.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (BdMk6)

73 Early contender for Feel Good Story of the Day:

"Woman arrested for driving car into what she thought was a Jewish school, turns out it was the building of an anti-Semitic group"

https://tinyurl.com/54yj7z55

Posted by: Dr. T at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (bhRsz)

74 Every case of roid rage I've ever seen usually only leads to throwing your girlfriend off a balcony or punching her out and dragging her out of an elevator by her hair.

Not shooting up a school because you don't like convertible Mustangs.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:18 AM (Zz0t1)

If it's the EV mustangs I can understand

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (c2jYz)

75 64 Every case of roid rage I've ever seen usually only leads to throwing your girlfriend off a balcony or punching her out and dragging her out of an elevator by her hair.

Not shooting up a school because you don't like convertible Mustangs.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:18 AM (Zz0t1)

Well, she was a Biological Woman, so it's not like she was on Estrogen. She was suppressing it.

She was injecting Artificial Testosterone.

Posted by: XTC at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (UnA8+)

76 It has to have teeth.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 06, 2023 11:09 AM (3Gtis)

No teeth!

Posted by: Hunter Biden at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (4I/2K)

77 Roid Rage.
Posted by: XTC at November 06, 2023 11:16 AM (UnA8+)

Testosterone, yeah.

Hell, boys need to get the shit knocked out of them as teens and they have been on it all their lives.

No imagine you are a chick, already depressed and confused -messed up in the head- and then you throw on some liquid fire.

No wonder. It's surprising it hasn't happened more often.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (Gbphe)

78 I've long been against term limits in principle but for them in practice for this reason. We should vote out the bums, but we never do.

Contrarily, I am in favor of doctor-assisted suicide in principle, but against it in practice. Although I think if someone wants to off themselves they should be allowed to, but invariably the process will be perverted and corrupted.

Human nature - there's no changing it.

Posted by: 496 at November 06, 2023 11:20 AM (yy/IU)

79
*Ruth Bader Ginsburg has entered the chat.
Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (G8h7g)

*The Wise Latina, Likalotapus and Jumanji get in line.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:20 AM (Zz0t1)

80 Nah, fix the elections. Term limits just legitimize the theft. "You may only drive a stolen car twenty miles."

Posted by: t-bird at November 06, 2023 11:20 AM (HjfVN)

81 The one good thing about not having term limits is that it forces politicians to adapt to public opinion if they want to get re-elected. See Strom Thurmond's "evolution" on race issues, for example.

Posted by: Bularoctonus at November 06, 2023 11:20 AM (JrojV)

82 Short of a constitutional amendment, how can this be done?
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Not a new one. Repeal the 17th.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 06, 2023 11:20 AM (cwC3y)

83
If it's the EV mustangs I can understand
Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (c2jYz)

Your point is valid.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:20 AM (Zz0t1)

84 Term limits for politicians would be good.

Term limits for federal employees would be better.

An 8 year cap on federal employment would cure a lot of ills.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at November 06, 2023 11:20 AM (/11g9)

85 I now assume that pretty much every CongressCritter is a puppet actor -- "Hollywood for ugly people," indeed -- and even if the marionettes are replaced (via term limits or not), the puppet-master Deep Staters (with kompromat), lobbyists (with grift and bribes), & staffs (useful idiots) behind the scenes will stay the same.

Maybe they'll eventually evolve into #DeepFake avatars with scripts written by chatbots -- also a la Hollywood. #Soon.

Yeah, I'm too young to be so cynical ...

Posted by: ShainS -- Rumped Bush Tyrant at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (Jc1qA)

86 It's money. How about a law. You can only donate money to a Congressman or Senator if you live in their district.

Posted by: CSMBigBird at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (0SYwF)

87 @52 Could a state have a referendum to make their critters term limited?

--------

California did back in the '90s. It was overturned by the courts because the Constitution sets the requirements for congresscritter.

Posted by: junior at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (3TGpK)

88 Expanding CDs is something I think would make a big difference. I don’t think it would help either the left or right. Some rural CDs span hundreds of miles. Hell some states only have 1 CD. There’s no way all those people have the same concerns.

Why is 435 etched in stone for all time? Makes no sense. The UK has 650 seats for a population of 80 million. We have 435 for a population of 330m. It’s kinda retarded.

Posted by: Montec at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (bWsRe)

89 a) politicians are a lot like diapers, they should be changed frequently, and for the same reasons

2) Joe Biden has been in Washington over fifty years. He may be more poop than man at this point.

c) Joe Biden falls down frequently

We've all seen the comedy trope of someone stepping in a pile of poop and slipping and falling. Is it possible that, as a shambling pile of poop, Joe Biden simply can not get decent traction?

I think I may have been too hard on him.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (z+89e)

90 I have a prayer request: I am on my way to visit a very lovely lady who frequently has visited our church. Her home church was too far to get to regularly. She is 97 and is dying. Please pray I get there in time and that she might feel the presence of the Lord with her. Her name is Helen. Thanks so much.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (RSbhh)

91 Background of London Gallery attack:

Douglas Murray @DouglasKMurray 2h
When a society becomes this weak every opportunist infection starts to break out.

Just Stop Oil @JustStop_Oil 4h
💥 SUFFRAGETTE PAINTING SMASHED

💀 Our government have revealed plans for MORE oil licences, knowing it will kill millions. In response, two supporters of Just Stop Oil smashed the Rokeby Venus — slashed by Mary Richardson in 1914.

⏱ Deeds, not words: juststopoil.org/zoom

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (krqg6)

92 82 Short of a constitutional amendment, how can this be done?
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Not a new one. Repeal the 17th.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 06, 2023 11:20 AM (cwC3y)

Just as difficult

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (xcxpd)

93 If term limits isn't in the Constitution, couldn't the states do this under the 10th Amendment? Seems doable to me.

No, because ALL of the states would have to agree to do it simultaneously. If they didn't, then those that had no term limits would get all the plum positions that dispense the cash. Seniority is still a thing.

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (I/Qkd)

94 I think one way to get turn over is to get rid of the perks and pay. if it's good enough for the boys at first & I, it's good enough for congress. they can have a dormitory, mess hall, and VA doctors. and cut the salary back to the national median.

there's NO reason for any of them to make more than that.

Posted by: SturmToddler at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (KZaqS)

95 67 Term limits for GOVERMENT WORKERS now that would improve things
Posted by: Patrick From Ohio
---------
Most probably.

Posted by: whig at November 06, 2023 11:22 AM (yALKr)

96 Having Octogenarians in charge of our Country is a recipe for disaster.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:22 AM (MNhXM)

97 72 If term limits isn't in the Constitution, couldn't the states do this under the 10th Amendment? Seems doable to me.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (BdMk6)

This, or a turn over of offices when a new party gains the majority. We are already in the spoils system, we are just trying to figure out how to unfuck ourselves.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:22 AM (Gbphe)

98 Contrarily, I am in favor of doctor-assisted suicide in principle, but against it in practice. Although I think if someone wants to off themselves they should be allowed to, but invariably the process will be perverted and corrupted.

Human nature - there's no changing it.
Posted by: 496

Make helping a lifetime jail sentence. You want to off yourself? Fine. Throw your ass off a building. But no helpers.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:22 AM (G8h7g)

99 Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (RSbhh)

The Father's will be done.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at November 06, 2023 11:22 AM (/11g9)

100 Regulatory Capture.

Bill Gurley did a great talk on this at the All In Summit this fall. Available on YouTube worth the watch!

No matter the incumbent (product, politician, idea) they have the advantage. The new product, candidate or idea has an uphill battle against the entrenched one. The new "thing" needs to disrupt--Uber-Taxi; Airbnb-Hotels; Cut the cord-cable.

Maybe human nature to stay status quo??

Posted by: Sunny at November 06, 2023 11:22 AM (Q47Lc)

101
No teeth!
Posted by: Hunter Biden at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (4I/2K)

Leftist retards line up outside the capital building:

"NO YELLOW NO TEETH!!!"

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:22 AM (Zz0t1)

102 I now assume that pretty much every CongressCritter is a puppet actor -- "Hollywood for ugly people," indeed -- and even if the marionettes are replaced (via term limits or not), the puppet-master Deep Staters (with kompromat), lobbyists (with grift and bribes), & staffs (useful idiots) behind the scenes will stay the same.

good summary of the system; we could set it to music and add it to the "How a Bill becomes a law" song

Posted by: brak at November 06, 2023 11:23 AM (25k9m)

103 Please pray I get there in time and that she might feel the presence of the Lord with her. Her name is Helen. Thanks so much.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (RSbhh)

Godspeed, ma'am.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:23 AM (Zz0t1)

104 the problem with Term Limits is that any new Congress member will rely on the Bureaucrats to steer them around, Both need to have a term limit, 15 20 years in Government is enough

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 06, 2023 11:24 AM (c2jYz)

105 There are only a few people in Congress who could be making way more money in the private sector . And I am including any graft they make as a politician.

Cruz is the first one that comes to mind.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:24 AM (MNhXM)

106 96 Having Octogenarians in charge of our Country is a recipe for disaster.

I doubt the country would be in better hands if Millennials and Zoomers were running the show.

Posted by: Old people suck, but so do younger people. at November 06, 2023 11:24 AM (KFhLj)

107 Maybe human nature to stay status quo??

correct especially for risk averse groups like females and the aged

oops right now they run the USA yikes

Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 06, 2023 11:24 AM (AcWfM)

108 Prayers up, Fen

Posted by: Doof at November 06, 2023 11:24 AM (fQR+9)

109 Term limits are about as realistic as leprechauns riding on unicorns away from krakens. You have to drag these motherfuckers out of Congress, kicking and screaming.

Posted by: Elric Blade at November 06, 2023 11:24 AM (iFTx/)

110 Please pray I get there in time and that she might feel the presence of the Lord with her. Her name is Helen. Thanks so much.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (RSbhh)

May the Holy Spirit be with you.

Posted by: Count de Monet at November 06, 2023 11:25 AM (4I/2K)

111 Leprechauns, Unicorns or Krakens: no one rides for free.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:26 AM (Gbphe)

112 Just Stop Oil @JustStop_Oil 4h
💥 SUFFRAGETTE PAINTING SMASHED

💀 Our government have revealed plans for MORE oil licences, knowing it will kill millions. In response, two supporters of Just Stop Oil smashed the Rokeby Venus — slashed by Mary Richardson in 1914.

⏱ Deeds, not words: juststopoil.org/zoom
Posted by: andycanuck

You trash a $90 million dollar painting?
Vigilance Committees need to get involved.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:26 AM (G8h7g)

113 Having Octogenarians in charge of our Country is a recipe for disaster.

I doubt the country would be in better hands if Millennials and Zoomers were running the show.

On the one hand, older people do tend to be wiser and more experienced. OTOH, they probably won't be the ones to suffer from the idiocy they dictate for the rest of the country.

I think the only solution is to hand the government over to AI. It's going to happen anyway, so we might as well get an early start.

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:27 AM (I/Qkd)

114 Ter. Limits are the end around to solve the major problem of good candidates turning into complacent or worse Deep Staters eventually if there long enough.
Often wonder if normal citizens turned politician get into the DC Bubble and get turned by money, Leftist Propaganda and company and special interest groups.

Posted by: Skip at November 06, 2023 11:27 AM (fwDg9)

115 My policy also includes an absolute ban on lobbying. Lobbyists are subversives who are trying to influence the government against the will of the people and must be removed from the public policymaking.
There will be wholesale bans on collectivism as well. Anyone preaching globalism, socialism, communism, enviromentalism, or Democrat ideology will spend a few weeks in stocks before being drawn and quartered. The execution will be public and televised.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 06, 2023 11:27 AM (cRrcX)

116 94 I think one way to get turn over is to get rid of the perks and pay. if it's good enough for the boys at first & I, it's good enough for congress. they can have a dormitory, mess hall, and VA doctors. and cut the salary back to the national median.

there's NO reason for any of them to make more than that.
Posted by: SturmToddler at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (KZaqS)

Don't forget : NO PENSIONS.

Hell, No Pensions for ANY Federal Employees.

Posted by: XTC at November 06, 2023 11:27 AM (UnA8+)

117 Having Octogenarians in charge of our Country is a recipe for disaster.

I doubt the country would be in better hands if Millennials and Zoomers were running the show.
Posted by: Old people suck, but so do younger people. at November 06, 2023 11:24 AM (KFhLj)

I totally disagree but you left out an entire demographic.

In any event we would have been and would be in better position if RBJ , Pelosi, Feinstein , Boxer. Biden , McConnell , etc would not have been allowed to dig in forever.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:28 AM (MNhXM)

118 You trash a $90 million dollar painting?
Vigilance Committees need to get involved.
Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:26 AM (G8h7g)

"We're nonviolent!!! REEEEEEEE!!!!!"
-Just Stop Oil

Posted by: Dr. T at November 06, 2023 11:28 AM (bhRsz)

119 My policy also includes an absolute ban on lobbying. Lobbyists are subversives who are trying to influence the government against the will of the people and must be removed from the public policymaking.

*skeptically* Hmmmmm.

Posted by: The First Amendment at November 06, 2023 11:28 AM (I/Qkd)

120 Morning.

One of Buck's best Rants.

Posted by: Robert at November 06, 2023 11:28 AM (XQ+hd)

121 It was a beautiful painting. Venus had back.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:29 AM (Gbphe)

122 Early contender for Feel Good Story of the Day:

"Woman arrested for driving car into what she thought was a Jewish school, turns out it was the building of an anti-Semitic group"

https://tinyurl.com/54yj7z55
Posted by: Dr. T
-----------
The Society for the Destruction of Zion isn't the same as the Society for the Protection of Zion?? "English, mo-fo. Do you read it?!"

[No, not the real name of the organization.]

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at November 06, 2023 11:29 AM (krqg6)

123 I think the best way is for states to start ignoring DC as some already seem to be doing. Render DC mostly powerless. It's sounds like the most practical solution.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at November 06, 2023 11:29 AM (BdMk6)

124 Fen may God give you wings

Posted by: Skip at November 06, 2023 11:29 AM (fwDg9)

125 https://tinyurl.com/mrx833m8

Bill Gurley Regulatory Capture talk

This is not a Ted Talk. It is good. He is speaking from his heart and is very engaging with great anecdotes to illustrate his points.

Posted by: Sunny at November 06, 2023 11:29 AM (Q47Lc)

126 Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:27 AM (I/Qkd)

There is older and wiser and then there is too old and reverting to incompetence.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:29 AM (MNhXM)

127 The JSO people will keep escalating until they pay severe penalties for their nonsense. I suggest we super glue them to windmill blades.

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:30 AM (I/Qkd)

128 I've said the same thing for years.
Professional politicians are no different than full-time thieves.

Posted by: Clear-Eyed Killer at November 06, 2023 11:30 AM (ln5wD)

129 My policy also includes an absolute ban on lobbying.

Lobbying is permitted in the Constitution. The part about petitioning the government for redress of grievances.

Posted by: Bularoctonus at November 06, 2023 11:30 AM (JrojV)

130 You trash a $90 million dollar painting?
Vigilance Committees need to get involved.
Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:26 AM (G8h7g)

And maybe some kind of Art Avenger, Art Equalizer, Art Vigilante, or Art Star Chamber . . .

Posted by: Count de Monet at November 06, 2023 11:30 AM (4I/2K)

131 I think one way to get turn over is to get rid of the perks and pay. if it's good enough for the boys at first & I, it's good enough for congress. they can have a dormitory, mess hall, and VA doctors. and cut the salary back to the national median.

there's NO reason for any of them to make more than that.
Posted by: SturmToddler at November 06, 2023 11:21 AM (KZaqS)

Don't forget : NO PENSIONS.

Hell, No Pensions for ANY Federal Employees.
Posted by: XTC at November 06, 2023 11:27 AM (UnA8+)

i'm good with that. it's a fair addition. it would ALSO help prevent the bloat.

Posted by: SturmToddler at November 06, 2023 11:30 AM (KZaqS)

132 Term limits will be on the agenda but first...

-gope

Posted by: Maj. Healey at November 06, 2023 11:30 AM (l10hq)

133 117 I totally disagree but you left out an entire demographic.

In any event we would have been and would be in better position if RBJ , Pelosi, Feinstein , Boxer. Biden , McConnell , etc would not have been allowed to dig in forever.
Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:28 AM (MNhXM)

Gen-X gave up their relevance to be the disaffected "Don't Care about anything" generation.

The Voice of the Generation, Kurt Cobain, shot himself because he couldn't stand this planet any longer.

Posted by: XTC at November 06, 2023 11:30 AM (UnA8+)

134 According to the wiki page, the assets only smashed the protective case.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:30 AM (Gbphe)

135 The Paolo, he also gives the testosterone injections but all natural!

Posted by: paolo at November 06, 2023 11:31 AM (krqg6)

136 @Buck: I acknowledge your arguments for term limits and I get the logic. I would just present one counterexample: Mexico.

The Mexican constitution does not permit re-election to any office at any level of government. I was a diplomat south of the border and one thing that we noticed in our reporting on Mexican politics is that without possibility of re-election, campaign promises (and, indeed, platforms) meant nothing because candidates would not have to face voters again once they were in office.

In fact, the complete lack of re-election made candidates more loyal to political parties rather than to voters as it would be the party that would arrange the next office for an incumbent to run for (thus the party would arrange for a mayor at the end of his term of office to run for governor or senator, for example).

Some kind of balance between too many and too few terms would seem necessary.

Posted by: Dexter Trask at November 06, 2023 11:31 AM (vZl0T)

137 There is older and wiser and then there is too old and reverting to incompetence.

Yes, but who decides? The voters do already have a say, regardless of the impediments. If they really wanted MM gone, he'd be gone. Don't forget that almost half the country thinks Joe Biden is a competent president.

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:31 AM (I/Qkd)

138 California has had term limits just to grt back at Willie Brown. Term limits are nonproblem solution. Guess again what the solution is.

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at November 06, 2023 11:31 AM (as3uC)

139 Almaghtheh is also allegedly so dumb she admitted to committing the “hate crime” during a phone call from jail with a family member, according to the same Fox 59 report. Police also labeled her a “terrorist” for the act.

Not only does Almaghtheh appear to be wildly anti-Israel, she’s also clearly not very smart. She attacked the building of an organization that is also an extremist anti-Israel group. We’re not exactly dealing with a genius here.
____

It will go into the FBI crime stats as a white supremacy hate crime against muslims.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at November 06, 2023 11:31 AM (fs1hN)

140 No pay
No pensions
No insurance

Posted by: Braenyard at November 06, 2023 11:31 AM (Okeht)

141 No pay
No pensions
No insurance
Bound by the same laws we are

Posted by: Braenyard at November 06, 2023 11:32 AM (Okeht)

142 Don't forget : NO PENSIONS.

Hell, No Pensions for ANY Federal Employees.
Posted by: XTC

Yep. Welcome to the SS lockbox chumps.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:32 AM (G8h7g)

143 I am not going to attempt tinyurl on the phone, but go look up the painting.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:32 AM (Gbphe)

144 In any event we would have been and would be in better position if RBJ , Pelosi, Feinstein , Boxer. Biden , McConnell , etc would not have been allowed to dig in forever.
Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:28 AM (MNhXM)

Poly - many
Tics - dug in parasites

Posted by: Count de Monet at November 06, 2023 11:32 AM (4I/2K)

145 Guess again what the solution is.
Posted by: Hokey Pokey at November 06, 2023 11:31 AM (as3uC)

tar & feathers & a rail?

Posted by: SturmToddler at November 06, 2023 11:33 AM (KZaqS)

146 Term limits are a start. As has been pointed out many times here at Ace's Place, you also need an informed electorate. Not everyone is as informed as many of the Moron Horde are. The turnout for elections is horrible, except where fraud has happened. Anyone have a solution to how the populace can be better informed on the issues? They sure aren't getting it in school/university, from the msm or obviously at home. Never once did I know how my parents voted, or if they voted. I assumed they voted dem, cause JFK was Catholic. Let's just keep that up for a few more generations.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at November 06, 2023 11:33 AM (2NHgQ)

147 135 The Paolo, he also gives the testosterone injections but all natural!
Posted by: paolo at November 06, 2023 11:31 AM (krqg6)

You probably need to see a doctor if your squirting testosterone out of your dick.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:34 AM (Gbphe)

148 Term limits aren't the answer. What needs to be changed is the way elections are financed. If we fix the general elections, the primaries will fix themselves. Hint: You can't have a system where active elected officials solicit contributions to their next election.

Posted by: jwest at November 06, 2023 11:34 AM (VP9ao)

149 The Gibbet.

I'd settle for stocks.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:34 AM (Gbphe)

150 The JSO people will keep escalating until they pay severe penalties for their nonsense. I suggest we super glue them to windmill blades.
Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:30 AM (I/Qkd)

Newsletter?

Posted by: Count de Monet at November 06, 2023 11:34 AM (4I/2K)

151 There is older and wiser and then there is too old and reverting to incompetence.

Yes, but who decides? The voters do already have a say, regardless of the impediments. If they really wanted MM gone, he'd be gone. Don't forget that almost half the country thinks Joe Biden is a competent president.
Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:31 AM (I/Qkd)

We have mandatory retirement ages in many private sector jobs because of the issue of age deterioration. Again I’m talking about octogenarians not 65 year olds.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:34 AM (MNhXM)

152 I'm not against term limits, but I don't think it really solves anything.

The corrupt power structures in the center of all of this are what would have to be changed. Right now, the parties are the gatekeepers are the local level. Then, of course, as you move up in politics, the shadowy donor / bureaucracy / "deep state" / party heavy hitters get more involved.

But if you're not willing to play ball and do what you're told, it is almost impossible to get anywhere in politics. Which is why incumbents are so protected. They already showed their willingness to play ball. But if we change the rules, the parties / deep state will just find a larger pool of equally corrupt people, and nothing will really change except the names on the ballot.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at November 06, 2023 11:34 AM (mj0Qp)

153 Unless you can "term limit" the bureaucrats that remain in Washington regardless of who is elected and run things behind the scenes, nothing will ever change. It's not called the deep state for nuthin'.

Posted by: Ann at November 06, 2023 11:36 AM (4neFu)

154 Even David Axelrod is now trying to get Biden to step down, and soon.

Many young voters have been reluctant to back Mr. Biden for some time now, despite record-setting levels of support from Gen Zers and millennials in 2020. The latest battleground state polls by The New York Times and Siena College show Mr. Biden holding a one-point lead over Mr. Trump among registered voters under 30 and a six-point lead among likely voters in the same age category.

A Democrat can't win with those youth numbers.

Here's where Axelrod slips in the shiv: "If he continues to run, he will be the nominee of the Democratic Party. What he needs to decide is whether that is wise; whether it's in HIS best interest or the country's?"

Translation: "Country" in this context means "Democrat party."

"There is little time left for a primary campaign," Axelrod concluded, "and campaigns are how we test candidates. But there is a lot of leadership talent in the Democratic Party, poised to emerge."

Translation: Step aside now, old man, and make way for Gavin Newsom.

https://tinyurl.com/44bkcnyp

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:36 AM (I/Qkd)

155 Former GOP Rep. Peter Meijer(who voted for Trumps impeachment) announces Michigan Senate bid

Ahole looks like a scandi leprechaun.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at November 06, 2023 11:36 AM (l10hq)

156 According to the wiki page, the assets only smashed the protective case.
--------
They use bulletproof glass nowadays I think but I still wonder about the shattering affecting the painting not that it makes a difference. They still need instant retribution from bystanders although from the video it looks like, as with other similar attacks, security just let it happen.

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at November 06, 2023 11:36 AM (krqg6)

157 Fire 'em all. From a cannon.

Posted by: fd at November 06, 2023 11:36 AM (BfZOe)

158

It took a long time to come to this conclusion, but it's inescapable:

Zod is is the answer.

Posted by: Auspex at November 06, 2023 11:36 AM (j4U/Z)

159 Deport all Palestinians
Incentivize all muslims to leave
Initiate operation wetback II

Posted by: Braenyard at November 06, 2023 11:36 AM (Okeht)

160 Unless you can "term limit" the bureaucrats that remain in Washington regardless of who is elected and run things behind the scenes, nothing will ever change. It's not called the deep state for nuthin'.
Posted by: Ann at November 06, 2023 11:36 AM (4neFu)

Mandatory retirement age.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:37 AM (MNhXM)

161 the establishment was apoplectic at Tea Party Republicans for surrendering all of Cantor’s “leadership,” “expertise,” “seniority,” etc for a movement candidate with no experience and no respect from the establishment.
_________

And note that Brat didn't last long, partly because the GOPe didn't support him.

Personally, I've long advocated the "Shirley Jackson Solution." Except that, instead of being annual, the lottery would be weekly. That way, almost 10% would go every year.

Posted by: Eeyore at November 06, 2023 11:37 AM (brAQZ)

162 I don't think it's age or demographics or length of tenure. It's that everyone in Congress -- from the oldest fossil to the newest turd in the bowl -- is totally insulated from the rest of the world and in particular from the dysfunction they create with their greed and stupidity.

They instantly have Cadillac health care and benefits for life. They have tons of money courtesy of taxpayers for offices, staff, cars, drivers, hookers, and blow. They have security details. They have guaranteed salaries that they keep raising. They practically have no-show jobs. And that's before the graft and theft and corruption.

Until these cocksuckers have to live in the world they create, we are all fucked.

Posted by: Elric Blade at November 06, 2023 11:37 AM (iFTx/)

163 Almaghtheh is also allegedly so dumb she admitted to committing the “hate crime” during a phone call from jail with a family member, according to the same Fox 59 report. Police also labeled her a “terrorist” for the act.

Not only does Almaghtheh appear to be wildly anti-Israel, she’s also clearly not very smart. She attacked the building of an organization that is also an extremist anti-Israel group. We’re not exactly dealing with a genius here.

IQ 82 - Is There Anything It Can't Do?

Posted by: naturalfake at November 06, 2023 11:37 AM (QzZeQ)

164 Are Houston (city of) voters dumb enough to vote in Sheila Jackson Lee as their next mayor? Stay tuned to this bat channel tomorrow night!

Posted by: Count de Monet at November 06, 2023 11:38 AM (4I/2K)

165 The director of the FBI should have five years in the position. At the end of his term he should be subjected to an intense public hearing. If he refuses to answer a question he gets stripped of his pension.

Posted by: That Northernlurker what lurkd at November 06, 2023 11:38 AM (HfNu5)

166 146 Anyone have a solution to how the populace can be better informed on the issues? They sure aren't getting it in school/university, from the msm or obviously at home. Never once did I know how my parents voted, or if they voted. I assumed they voted dem, cause JFK was Catholic. Let's just keep that up for a few more generations.
Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at November 06, 2023 11:33 AM (2NHgQ)

Ludovico Technique.

Posted by: XTC at November 06, 2023 11:38 AM (UnA8+)

167 We have mandatory retirement ages in many private sector jobs because of the issue of age deterioration. Again I’m talking about octogenarians not 65 year olds.
Posted by: Drive by

61. Commercial pilots. If you can no longer be responsible for flying a plane that flies itself, you are no longer responsible for 800,000 voters in your district.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:38 AM (G8h7g)

168 We have mandatory retirement ages in many private sector jobs because of the issue of age deterioration. Again I’m talking about octogenarians not 65 year olds.

There are many things that apply in the private sector that don't in our elected representatives. Besides, the question was how to separate the wheat from the chaff. You're now just saying throw it all out at a certain age. While I think that has merit, I seriously doubt it's constitutional; certainly not without an amendment.

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:38 AM (I/Qkd)

169 123 I think the best way is for states to start ignoring DC as some already seem to be doing. Render DC mostly powerless. It's sounds like the most practical solution.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons
----------
Ultimately Federalism is the constitutional solution to the problem along with keeping the federal government poor.

Posted by: whig at November 06, 2023 11:38 AM (yALKr)

170 But what about Eric Cantor? He was the Republican House Majority Leader when he was defeated in the primary while running for re-election in 2014. This is the “16-seed-beating-a-1-seed” scenario. It can happen, but it is extremely rare ...

-----------

The irony is that the guy who defeated him, Dave Brat, went on to win the 2014 general election and was re-elected in 2016 -- but was defeated by a Dem in 2018 (when the Dems were perfecting election fraud nationwide).

Posted by: ShainS -- Rumped Bush Tyrant at November 06, 2023 11:39 AM (S3x6T)

171 Anyone have a solution to how the populace can be better informed on the issues? They sure aren't getting it in school/university, from the msm or obviously at home. Never once did I know how my parents voted, or if they voted. I assumed they voted dem, cause JFK was Catholic. Let's just keep that up for a few more generations.
Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine

Poll test. Pass it and you can vote.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:39 AM (G8h7g)

172 She attacked the building of an organization that is also an extremist anti-Israel group. We’re not exactly dealing with a genius here.
----------
It has a fake name made to sound pro-Israeli or Israel-associated -- the Israelite School of Universal and Practical Knowledge.

Maybe the Black Hebrew Israelites can sue??

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at November 06, 2023 11:39 AM (krqg6)

173 The Voice of the Generation, Kurt Cobain, shot himself because he couldn't stand this planet any longer.

Posted by: XTC at November 06, 2023 11:30 AM (UnA8+)

I don't recall voting for, declaring or otherwise approving Kurt Cobain as the official representative of my generation.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at November 06, 2023 11:39 AM (/11g9)

174 I endorse and prioritize the idea of repealing the 17th Amendment.

If not term limits, per se, amend for a maximum age for officials, to parallel the minimum (25, 30, 35 years) ages required of representatives, senators, and presidents. Accepting that this is going to eliminate a few capable exceptions, the benefits overwhelm the problems.

Posted by: pouncer at November 06, 2023 11:40 AM (XwzGd)

175 .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at November 06, 2023 11:40 AM (NCgXW)

176 IQ 82 - Is There Anything It Can't Do?

Posted by: naturalfake

Physics?

Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:40 AM (G8h7g)

177 They use bulletproof glass nowadays I think but I still wonder about the shattering affecting the painting not that it makes a difference. They still need instant retribution from bystanders although from the video it looks like, as with other similar attacks, security just let it happen.
_____

Museum security in my experience follows you around straddling the line between being unobtrusive and "you know I'm watching you, punk, don't try anything". Yes, security let this happen. If I'm in that situation where I see something like this, I know I would get manhandled by security if I tried to physically get the protestors from damaging the museum's priceless collection.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at November 06, 2023 11:41 AM (fs1hN)

178 Personally, I've long advocated the "Shirley Jackson Solution." Except that, instead of being annual, the lottery would be weekly. That way, almost 10% would go every year.

Ah, decimation! If it was good enough for the Romans, it's good enough for me.

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:41 AM (I/Qkd)

179 171 Poll test. Pass it and you can vote.
Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:39 AM (G8h7g)

Fail it and you're deported to Liberia.

Posted by: XTC at November 06, 2023 11:41 AM (UnA8+)

180 Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:37 AM (MNhXM)

At 40?

Posted by: Ann at November 06, 2023 11:41 AM (4neFu)

181 Term limits are needed for those serving in Congress. I would even argue that term limits are necessary if we are going “to save our precious democracy.”

Term limits are the same thing as saying voters are too stupid to pick their representatives (a comment I very much agree with). You blame it on things like money and the power of incumbency, but the reality is - voters are dumb and go with name recognition.

Universal suffrage will always result in the doom of democracy b/c the vast majority of voters a) lack intelligence, b) lack education, c) lack understanding of the issues, d) are easily swayed by cliches and emotion and e) are self-interested (i.e., the poorer half will always vote mostly for freebies from the richer half). There is just no getting around the fact that the electorate is stupid. The fact that Joe Biden is president proves that more than anything I could write here. The fact that Obama was reelected proves it. The fact that most voters don't realize that the illegal immigration problem isn't a "problem" for the politicians - they engineered it and wanted it. They want open borders.

At some point in the future there will be controls on voting.

Posted by: I forgot my name b/c I haven't posted in 6 months at November 06, 2023 11:41 AM (ky+MF)

182 endorse and prioritize the idea of repealing the 17th Amendment.

If not term limits, per se, amend for a maximum age for officials, to parallel the minimum (25, 30, 35 years) ages required of representatives, senators, and presidents. Accepting that this is going to eliminate a few capable exceptions, the benefits overwhelm the problems.
Posted by: pouncer at November 06, 2023 11:40 AM (XwzGd)

Exactly it would mirror the reason minimum ages were put into the Constitution.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:41 AM (MNhXM)

183 Last year, #2 son decided to run for the city council of the city he lives in. He spent every weekend going from house to house to introduce himself and explain his plans. He was able to scrounge up enough money to buy a bunch of yard signs. His opponent did absolutely nothing and won the election. She was the incumbent and people just automatically votes for her.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I stand with Israel and all Jews everywhere at November 06, 2023 11:42 AM (6TzTY)

184
Serve in Congress for 12 yrs max. That's 2 terms for Senate and 6 terms for Representatives. If you can't graft enough to keep you satisfied in that amount of time, you are doing it wrong.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (cRrcX)

A couple of years ago, one of you Morons observed that the East India Company used to say that if you're not competent enough to steal FROM the Company, you're not competent enough to steal FOR the Company.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at November 06, 2023 11:42 AM (n+4am)

185 178 Personally, I've long advocated the "Shirley Jackson Solution." Except that, instead of being annual, the lottery would be weekly. That way, almost 10% would go every year."

As long as the pool consists of Congressmen, Senators, and Federal Employees I'm good with it.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 06, 2023 11:42 AM (i9ffA)

186
Poll test. Pass it and you can vote.
Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:39 AM (G8h7g)

"WINNING!!!!"

- - - Strippers Everywhere

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:42 AM (Zz0t1)

187 1. Term limits for everyone in government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
2. All investments must be held in a common fund for all government workers which only invests in US exchange funds.
3. No relatives may own, or be senior leadership, at any company which does business with whichever level of government you are in.
4. If you date, or marry, a member of the media you are removed from office immediately.
5. All senior members of the government are audited, by the opposing party, annually.
6. No pensions. If you want to do well financially then you must ensure that the country does well.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at November 06, 2023 11:43 AM (uvymP)

188 >>>164 Are Houston (city of) voters dumb enough to vote in Sheila Jackson Lee as their next mayor? Stay tuned to this bat channel tomorrow night!

Posted by: Count de Monet
---

You forgot to mention the notorious cheat operation Democrats- run in that city.

Posted by: Braenyard at November 06, 2023 11:43 AM (Okeht)

189 Ultimately Federalism is the constitutional solution to the problem along with keeping the federal government poor.
Posted by: whig
____

Which is why we had to weaken Federalism by ending State appointment of Senators.
-Early 20th Century "Progressives"

Posted by: Chuck Martel at November 06, 2023 11:43 AM (fs1hN)

190 >>I endorse and prioritize the idea of repealing the 17th Amendment.

If we include the 19th Amendment I'm on board.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at November 06, 2023 11:43 AM (l10hq)

191 They instantly have Cadillac health care and benefits for life. They have tons of money courtesy of taxpayers for offices, staff, cars, drivers, hookers, and blow. They have security details. They have guaranteed salaries that they keep raising. They practically have no-show jobs. And that's before the graft and theft and corruption.

Until these cocksuckers have to live in the world they create, we are all fucked.
Posted by: Elric Blade at November 06, 2023 11:37 AM (iFTx/)

That's the point -- they will never have to life in the world "they create". They are set for life once they get the blessing of the party. Congress is the first step.

They are never going to be beholden to the voters, they are beholden to the people who got them not only THIS no show job, but the lifetime of no show jobs, influence, money, and if they play their cards right, intergenerational no-show jobs where their kids can also live that lifestyle.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at November 06, 2023 11:43 AM (mj0Qp)

192 Fix it by instituting an age limit.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:43 AM (Zz0t1)

193 I've got an idea that would work with one simple law: all congressmen will recieve a $1mil bonus upon passing a balanced budget. Another $1mil paid upon unemployment being under 5%/ spending is 19% of GDP etc." The grift we have now is driven by seniority pressuring freshmen to play ball. The senior congress critters get the gravy. If the other guys have an incentive to do what WE want, they have no need to suck up to get eventual seniority positions.
Congress, unlike every private position, has no metric driven performance. Let's incentive them to get results we want

Posted by: Scott Ballard at November 06, 2023 11:43 AM (G+iAe)

194 What's also needed are politicians that are fearful of the people (not the concocted fear that Pelosi or AOC scream about).

You fuck over the voters that put you in office or the voters will fuck you up. We need more of this. We've gotten lazy with retribution.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at November 06, 2023 11:44 AM (BdMk6)

195 183 Last year, #2 son decided to run for the city council of the city he lives in. He spent every weekend going from house to house to introduce himself and explain his plans. He was able to scrounge up enough money to buy a bunch of yard signs. His opponent did absolutely nothing and won the election. She was the incumbent and people just automatically votes for her.
Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I stand with Israel and all Jews everywhere at November 06, 2023 11:42 AM (6TzTY)

=======

There are a few explanations for why incumbents win, especially in smaller races, and I think the most compelling one is simply name recognition.

It's not like the ballot says (Incumbent) next to one of the candidates. It's just two names.

So, if you don't know your town council from Adam, and you show up to vote, where do your eyes go on that screen or sheet? The one you recognize.

Or it's crooked. It could be crooked.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at November 06, 2023 11:44 AM (GBKbO)

196 I don’t agree with term limits. Instead we need to fix elections to remove cheating. Just my $0.02. I even think the amendment that limits our presidents to two terms should be repealed…. As long as elections are secure. They’re not secure now so it’s all useless debate

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at November 06, 2023 11:44 AM (KEuti)

197 Short of a constitutional amendment, how can this be done?
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 06, 2023 11:08 AM (3Gtis)

It cannot. The courts have already ruled that term limits are unconstitutional.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at November 06, 2023 11:44 AM (uvymP)

198 Last year, #2 son decided to run for the city council of the city he lives in. He spent every weekend going from house to house to introduce himself and explain his plans. He was able to scrounge up enough money to buy a bunch of yard signs. His opponent did absolutely nothing and won the election. She was the incumbent and people just automatically votes for her.
Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I stand with Israel and all Jews everywhere at November 06, 2023 11:42 AM (6TzTY)

Name Recognition is the killer app of politics.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 06, 2023 11:45 AM (QzZeQ)

199 Yes, I like the poll test. How are you going to implement it and than fight the 50-100 lawsuits against it? Good grief, we're still hearing that minorities don't have the ability to obtain proper id for voting and are disenfranchised. Can you imagine how this would go over. In Allegheny County they would give all minorities a pass due to structural racism and facts be patriarchal.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at November 06, 2023 11:45 AM (2NHgQ)

200 195 183 Last year, #2 son decided to run for the city council of the city he lives in. He spent every weekend going from house to house to introduce himself and explain his plans. He was able to scrounge up enough money to buy a bunch of yard signs. His opponent did absolutely nothing and won the election. She was the incumbent and people just automatically votes for her.
Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I stand with Israel and all Jews everywhere at November 06, 2023 11:42 AM (6TzTY)

=======

There are a few explanations for why incumbents win, especially in smaller races, and I think the most compelling one is simply name recognition.

It's not like the ballot says (Incumbent) next to one of the candidates. It's just two names.

So, if you don't know your town council from Adam, and you show up to vote, where do your eyes go on that screen or sheet? The one you recognize.

Or it's crooked. It could be crooked.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at November 06, 2023 11:44 AM (GBKbO)
_______________

Spoiler alert: It's crooked.

Posted by: Elric Blade at November 06, 2023 11:46 AM (iFTx/)

201 How about an income cap for Congressmen too? They are limited to earning their Congressional salary only for their entire household. Spouses can continue to earn but only at the same level they earned when his or her spouse was elected.

Start with AOC, the Grand Socialist.

Posted by: Adirondack Patriot at November 06, 2023 11:46 AM (lf83v)

202 One monkey wrench to be rid of is straight ticket voting.
One must pull the lever for each candidate and proposition.

Posted by: Braenyard at November 06, 2023 11:46 AM (Okeht)

203 Good arguments, Buck, especially vis-a-vis seniority and the other obvious disproportional advantages of incumbency.

Even in the face of systemic corruption, term limits might provide a little hope.

Would also like to see Session Limits, like only meet for one month each year or the like ... but that's pretty much a pipe dream until we have economic & societal collapse or some other cataclysmic event(s).

Posted by: ShainS -- Rumped Bush Tyrant at November 06, 2023 11:46 AM (NULC6)

204 Gen-X gave up their relevance to be the disaffected "Don't Care about anything" generation.

The Voice of the Generation, Kurt Cobain, shot himself because he couldn't stand this planet any longer.
Posted by: XTC at November 06, 2023 11:30 AM (UnA8+)
++++
I disagree. Gen-X is crowded out, not indifferent. Gen-X is tiny. It is sandwiched between two mega-generations - the Boomers and the Millennials. And the Boomers, generally, have an affinity for the Millennials. They gave birth to most of them. They gave birth to a big chunk of Gen-X, too, but the same affinity is not there. I don't know why.

The Boomers and the Millennials are gigantic demographic groups and there is what appears to be something akin to an in-group preference between them. The Boomers are enthusiastic - or at least fairly happy - to hand things over to the Millennials. They are not happy about Gen-X being involved. The Boomers held on, keeping Gen-X more or less crowded out and is handing the reins directly to their preferred Millennial generation. Gen-X is being essentially skipped, and it's far too small to force things.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:46 AM (ELpxa)

205 al-Dik is covered by Shatti

Hot news @TheNewsTrending 1m
A reporter from the "Arab Television" network is standing on the Salah al-Din route two kilometers south of the IDF barrier and is interviewing a Gazan citizen. She says:
"I'm from the Shatti refugee camp (west of Gaza City). They threw flyers at us calling us to leave the camp, and we did. Everyone left Shatti. There are many residents who are now moving south on the Salah al-Din route. We arrived at the army checkpoint, raised our hands, and showed our identity cards. They let us pass. I'm on my way to Rafah."

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at November 06, 2023 11:46 AM (krqg6)

206 OT but I would like to be the first to congratulate Houston's mayor-elect, Sheila Jackson-Lee

Posted by: DB - at November 06, 2023 11:46 AM (geLO8)

207 Poll test. Pass it and you can vote.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:39 AM (G8h7g)

First, Nobody who was on entitlements for more than 6 months out of the last 2 years before the election can vote. No federal workers can vote (military members excluded).

Then the test has to be both for knowledge of our system of gov't, knowledge of current issues, plus knowledge of history, plus ability at math, and a logic portion and IQ portion. I'm thinking something similar to the SAT / LSAT. Only the top 35% of scorers on the test can vote.

You can only take the test once per election cycle.

Posted by: I forgot my name b/c I haven't posted in 6 months at November 06, 2023 11:46 AM (ky+MF)

208 191 They instantly have Cadillac health care and benefits for life. They have tons of money courtesy of taxpayers for offices, staff, cars, drivers, hookers, and blow. They have security details. They have guaranteed salaries that they keep raising. They practically have no-show jobs. And that's before the graft and theft and corruption.

Until these cocksuckers have to live in the world they create, we are all fucked.
Posted by: Elric Blade at November 06, 2023 11:37 AM (iFTx/)

========

The life stuff I think only kicks in after 6 years.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at November 06, 2023 11:47 AM (GBKbO)

209 The most common argument I hear against term limits is that "It will just give the congressional staffers more power."

To which my response is, then make the members of Congress take their staffers with them when they leave office once their term limits have been reached.
Posted by: Bularoctonus at November 06, 2023 11:11 AM (JrojV)

All congressional staffers shall be fitted with permanent agonizers which can be triggered by any member of the voting public within their district.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at November 06, 2023 11:47 AM (uvymP)

210 Eric Cantor is the exception that proves the rule. The shock-and-horror response to his primary defeat says a lot about how rare and unexpected such things are.

If incumbents lost primaries with any regularity, it would have been just another Tuesday.

Posted by: Cybernetic at November 06, 2023 11:47 AM (xawZJ)

211 They should have passed term limits for Congress at the same time they passed the 22nd Amendment.

Hah I crack myself up.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:47 AM (MNhXM)

212 OT but I would like to be the first to congratulate Houston's mayor-elect, Sheila Jackson-Lee
Posted by: DB - at November 06, 2023 11:46 AM

Boy, if you thought Houston was shit before, just make this happen and stand back.......

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:48 AM (Zz0t1)

213 This busty blonde is having WAY too much fun washing her car with a thin white shirt on to care about elections...

https://tinyurl.com/2u7nzhep

...thus perpetuating the problem of incumbents being next to impossible to vote out of office.

Posted by: Admiral Ackbar at November 06, 2023 11:48 AM (NCgXW)

214 Let's look at Paul Ryan as an example:

Worked in DC for a few years, made some connections. Moved back to Wisconsin or whatever, got the nod from the party, did what the donors and others told him to do. When the pitchforks came out hard for Ryan, he left Congress and got the following no show jobs:

1) Board of Directors at Fox -- I'm sure he makes 6 figures to go to 3 or 4 meetings a year, at most

2) Board of Directors at some healthcare company -- ditto

3) guest lecturer at a college -- ditto. Maybe a few more than 3 or 4 appearances a year, but not by much

and

4) "senior advisor" to a PR company. Probably an actual no show job, probably also pays high six figures.

Plus the normal corruption, graft, etc. I'm sure his kids got in to whatever colleges they wanted, have great internships and jobs lined up.

So that's what the party promised him for playing ball. What can the voters offer to compete with that?

Dude literally makes millions a year, and maybe has to "show up for work" 20 days a year. Max.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at November 06, 2023 11:48 AM (mj0Qp)

215 Make them live in their own district. Everything is done via teleconference. And if a lobbyist wants to fine dine 50 senators, make 'em travel to 50 states.

I know. Teleconferencing won't work due to security.

Posted by: Turn 2 at November 06, 2023 11:48 AM (JfxgE)

216
https://tinyurl.com/2u7nzhep

...thus perpetuating the problem of incumbents being next to impossible to vote out of office.
Posted by: Admiral Ackbar at November 06, 2023 11:48 AM (NCgXW)

Think Cool Hand Luke, but not really.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:49 AM (Zz0t1)

217 Outlaw all congressional staffers. No one is allowed to work in a congressional office except someone directly elected by the people.

"Oh, no, I can't read all that legislation..."

Then make it shorter and easier to understand.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at November 06, 2023 11:49 AM (GBKbO)

218 This callipygian blonde in a tight dress favors restrictions of government and its agents fairly generally - and the more, the better:
https://is.gd/FaMcUU

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:49 AM (ELpxa)

219 Hot news @TheNewsTrending 5m
IDF soldiers located and destroyed compounds that were used to launch rockets, including a compound located inside a mosque; over 50 rockets ready to be launched were found in the compound

Hot news @TheNewsTrending · 7m
The IDF destroyed a compound for launching rockets located inside a mosque in Gaza.

https://tinyurl.com/rbxtyf8t
19 seconds; Hebrew spoken.

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at November 06, 2023 11:49 AM (krqg6)

220 This callipygian blonde in a tight dress favors restrictions of government and its agents fairly generally - and the more, the better:
https://is.gd/FaMcUU
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:49 AM (ELpxa)

We're in the ballpark......

Posted by: Sir Mix-A-Lot at November 06, 2023 11:50 AM (Zz0t1)

221 The best compromise is term limits on consecutive terms.

You are in office of N terms, you can not run in the next.
The following election you can start over again.

Posted by: SMOD at November 06, 2023 11:50 AM (RHGPo)

222 Agree with every single word of this, Buck. On a side note all congresscritters should have to divest of all foreign interests; dip$hits like Cocaine Mitch should never be allowed to marry into a foreign based business like he married into The Foremost Group, an Asian based shipping/shipbuilding business that runs counter to American interests.

Posted by: Danimal28 at November 06, 2023 11:50 AM (klw0w)

223 My understanding they have another Dem who has a chance to beat SJL and that Houston Republican voters are casting votes for him even though he’s just as liberal as SJL . He’s just not as destructive and dumb.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:50 AM (MNhXM)

224 213

Can NOT believe I fell for that. Moar coffee!!

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM (N3zMI)

225 Vote early ,vote often !

Posted by: runner at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM (8rsIm)

226 You forgot to mention the notorious cheat operation Democrats- run in that city.
Posted by: Braenyard at November 06, 2023 11:43 AM (Okeht)

It's Dem v Dem, per recent Univ Houston Survey:

With less than four weeks to go before Election Day, the November 7, 2023 Houston mayoral election
is effectively a two-candidate race between Texas State Senator John Whitmire (D-career pol) and U.S.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-weave bonnet)

In November, 34% of likely voters intend to cast a ballot for Whitmire and 31% for Jackson Lee. One in
five (22%) likely voters is undecided and 13% intend to vote for one of 15 other candidates.

The remaining 15 candidates have a November vote intention ranging from 4% to 0%: Gilbert Garcia (4%),
Jack Christie (4%), Lee Kaplan (2%), Robert Gallegos (1%) and MJ Khan (1%), with each of the remaining
candidates having support of less than 0.4%.

Posted by: Count de Monet at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM (4I/2K)

227 >Posted by: Admiral Ackbar at November 06, 2023 11:48 AM (NCgXW)

I clicked the link when I shoulda been checking the nic

you tricked me, you knave!

Posted by: DB - at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM (geLO8)

228 >>218 This callipygian blonde in a tight dress favors restrictions of government and its agents fairly generally - and the more, the better:
https://is.gd/FaMcUU
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

Another big juicy booty. I'm sensing a pattern.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM (l10hq)

229 Facebook Censors Nashville Trans Shooter Manifesto Minutes After Leak

Posted by: SMOD at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM (RHGPo)

230 The most common argument I hear against term limits is that "It will just give the congressional staffers more power."

The biggest downside of term limits would be that politicians would be even more bought and paid for under such limits. Right now, congresscritters make their fortunate being congressmen. Limit them to 10 years, and they have to have a golden parachute lined up. and plenty of companies will be there offering those after-congress jobs.

We would need constitutional amendments limiting the kind of work former congresspeople and their families are allowed to do. No working for any company that does $X amount of business with the gov't, for instance. No working at lobbying firms. No working at law firms that also lobby.

but, no matter what you did, they'd find a way around it.

Posted by: I forgot my name b/c I haven't posted in 6 months at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM (ky+MF)

231 229 Facebook Censors Nashville Trans Shooter Manifesto Minutes After Leak
Posted by: SMOD at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM (RHGPo)

=======

Well, yeah. It's full of hate.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at November 06, 2023 11:52 AM (GBKbO)

232 This callipygian blonde in a tight dress favors restrictions of government and its agents fairly generally - and the more, the better:
https://is.gd/FaMcUU
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:49 AM (ELpxa)

nice. Need more data on her but she seems proportional at least.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at November 06, 2023 11:52 AM (xcxpd)

233 All members of Congress should be made to live in barracks during their term of office.

Make it more like the (traditional) military.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at November 06, 2023 11:52 AM (JrojV)

234 Facebook Censors Nashville Trans Shooter Manifesto Minutes After Leak
Posted by: SMOD at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM (RHGPo)

Facebook can mulef*ck.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at November 06, 2023 11:52 AM (Zz0t1)

235 First, Nobody who was on entitlements for more than 6 months out of the last 2 years before the election can vote. No federal workers can vote (military members excluded).

Then the test has to be both for knowledge of our system of gov't, knowledge of current issues, plus knowledge of history, plus ability at math, and a logic portion and IQ portion. I'm thinking something similar to the SAT / LSAT. Only the top 35% of scorers on the test can vote.

You can only take the test once per election cycle.

Well, as long as we're in fantasy land, anyone who hasn't been pleasured by Kate Upton can't vote, because LOSER!

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:52 AM (I/Qkd)

236 >>>They threw flyers at us calling us to leave the camp, and we did. Everyone left Shatti. There are many residents who are now moving south on the Salah al-Din route. We arrived at the army checkpoint, raised our hands, and showed our identity cards. They let us pass. I'm on my way to Rafah."

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6)
---

Sounds like cHamas has more important (or not enough forces) things to keep Gazans prisoner.

Posted by: Braenyard at November 06, 2023 11:52 AM (Okeht)

237 When the rules of the game are abused by some of the players the other players must abuse the abusers using the rules of the game to change the rules of the game by changing the rules of the game.

When so-call representative do not represent WE THE PEOPLE because they manipulate the rules WE THE PEOPLE must change the rule.

Self serving bastards like McConnell, Pelosi and others will always worm their way in through their mendacity but WE THE PEOPLE can set up rules that inhibit their accumulation and aggrandizement of power over our lives.

First step is Repeal of the 17th Amendment. McConnell is the poster child for this effort.

Posted by: Minuteman at November 06, 2023 11:53 AM (LaNzR)

238 Term limits for congress is great - I agree 100% - but they are not enough. We also need term limits for the administrative state. Nobody should make a career out of working in government.

And on that note, public sector unions need to be outlawed.

Posted by: Cynical Stoic at November 06, 2023 11:53 AM (0hHNz)

239 >>218 This callipygian blonde in a tight dress favors restrictions of government and its agents fairly generally - and the more, the better:
https://is.gd/FaMcUU
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

Another big juicy booty. I'm sensing a pattern.
Posted by: Maj. Healey at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM

Mannix wants to date AOC?

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 06, 2023 11:53 AM (vqhPW)

240 In my idealistic youth I once thought elections were sufficient for getting rid of politicians.

In my defense, this was a LONG time ago ...

Experience has cured me of this delusion. I am now much less likely to underestimate either the avarice of politicians or the gullibility and stupidity of voters.

Posted by: some stupid with a flare gun at November 06, 2023 11:53 AM (MB784)

241 224 213

Can NOT believe I fell for that. Moar ~~coffee~~ Everclear!!
Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher

I don't think coffee is going to cut it. Edited with a recommendation m

Posted by: Admiral Ackbar at November 06, 2023 11:53 AM (NCgXW)

242
Mannix wants to date AOC?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 06, 2023 11:53 AM (vqhPW)

Who doesn't?

Posted by: Alexandra Ocrazio CoTits at November 06, 2023 11:53 AM (Zz0t1)

243 This callipygian blonde in a tight dress favors restrictions of government and its agents fairly generally - and the more, the better:
https://is.gd/FaMcUU
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:49 AM (ELpxa)

Callipygian is a woody word. Callipygian. Has a good mouth feel to say it.

Posted by: MPFC at November 06, 2023 11:53 AM (4I/2K)

244 217 Outlaw all congressional staffers. No one is allowed to work in a congressional office except someone directly elected by the people.

"Oh, no, I can't read all that legislation..."

Then make it shorter and easier to understand.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at November 06, 2023 11:49 AM (GBKbO)

They need a staff. Someone has to open main, triage letters, schedule meetings, etc...

What they need to do is actually do the job they were elected for and not just make fundraising calls all day.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at November 06, 2023 11:54 AM (xcxpd)

245 Bill Maher to Left Wing College Students Supporting Hamas: ‘You’re the Ones With the Tiki Torches Now!’

Posted by: SMOD at November 06, 2023 11:54 AM (RHGPo)

246 but, no matter what you did, they'd find a way around it.

Posted by: I forgot my name b/c I haven't posted in 6 months at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM (ky+MF)

For instance, say Ford does big business with the gov't such that the former congressman can't work at Ford. Instead, one of Ford's major parts suppliers (that doesn't contract directly with the gov't) hires the former congressman as V.P. of sitting around for $3 million per year plus stock options.

Posted by: I forgot my name b/c I haven't posted in 6 months at November 06, 2023 11:54 AM (ky+MF)

247 Term Limits are needed because most voters are so stupid the only thing that matters is name recognition

I give you the:

The Distinguished Gentleman

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 06, 2023 11:55 AM (pVWRI)

248 Mannix wants to date AOC?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 06, 2023 11:53 AM (vqhPW)

wrong verb

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at November 06, 2023 11:55 AM (xcxpd)

249 restrict voting to property-owning males born inside the US to US citizen parents

Posted by: DB - at November 06, 2023 11:55 AM (geLO8)

250 Sounds like Hamas has more important (or not enough forces) things to keep Gazans prisoner.
-----------
Yes, putting up the Second Gay Pride Month decorations! AOC is helping.

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at November 06, 2023 11:55 AM (krqg6)

251 Another big juicy booty. I'm sensing a pattern.
Posted by: Maj. Healey at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM

Mannix wants to date AOC?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState

Hey! My girl's booty was WAY bigger!!!

Posted by: Admiral Ackbar at November 06, 2023 11:55 AM (NCgXW)

252 What we need is more flavors of ice cream.

Posted by: Braenyard at November 06, 2023 11:55 AM (Okeht)

253 Air Force and Space Force Raise Their Maximum Enlistment Age to 42

Posted by: SMOD at November 06, 2023 11:55 AM (RHGPo)

254 The simplistic belief that access to the ballot renders term limits unnecessary is as idealistically utopian as believing in the benevolent communitarianism of communism, or in the benign anarchy of libertarianism. People who have attained power will seek to retain power, and those in power have weighted the playing field so heavily in favor of incumbency that meaningful turnover cannot happen at the ballot box.

———

The system has been rigged for decades.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at November 06, 2023 11:56 AM (4JksR)

255 The greatest argument against Democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:56 AM (MNhXM)

256 Well, as long as we're in fantasy land, anyone who hasn't been pleasured by Kate Upton can't vote, because LOSER!

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:52 AM (I/Qkd)

So, you promise never to vote again? That's a start.

Posted by: I forgot my name b/c I haven't posted in 6 months at November 06, 2023 11:56 AM (ky+MF)

257 I disagree. Gen-X is crowded out, not indifferent. Gen-X is tiny. It is sandwiched between two mega-generations - the Boomers and the Millennials.
The Boomers and the Millennials are gigantic demographic groups and there is what appears to be something akin to an in-group preference between them. Gen-X is being essentially skipped, and it's far too small to force things.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 06, 2023 11:46 AM (ELpxa)
____________

Agree and disagree. I don't disagree with your "pincer move" theory, but I do disagree on why X isn't wielding the power they should/could. X is 65+ million people, many of whom are in their prime earning and "power" years. They could wield power and influence if they wanted to.

So why don't they? They don't want to. X was the last of the live and let live generation. They generally want to enjoy the life they've built. I think X looks at the world, sees a complete shitstorm, says "fuck this," and retreats to enjoying their own life. I'm X and that's me to a "T."

X doesn't have the fetish for activism and cult-like mentality that the younger generations seem to have. They are essentially getting out-screamed.

Posted by: Elric Blade at November 06, 2023 11:56 AM (iFTx/)

258 244 They need a staff. Someone has to open main, triage letters, schedule meetings, etc...

What they need to do is actually do the job they were elected for and not just make fundraising calls all day.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at November 06, 2023 11:54 AM (xcxpd)

=========

I remember when the presidents spent all day personally signing land grants and patents.

Congress people need to spend all of their time on their schedules and reading constituent emails so they pass less legislation and grift less.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at November 06, 2023 11:56 AM (GBKbO)

259 but, no matter what you did, they'd find a way around it.
Posted by: I forgot my name b/c I haven't posted in 6 months at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM (ky+MF)

annnd that's kind of the crux of it, isn't it?

Remember the whole net neutrality debate and how Obama promised people would literally die if he wasnt able to pass that law?

You know, the law that said ISP's can't treat third party content any differently. Which at the time meant Cablevision or whoever can't throttle what was then the megalith of online data usage -- Netflix. Legislation gets passed.

Then after Obama gets out of office, well lo and behold, he gets a multi million dollar deal with Netflix to be a "producer," despite him having no qualifications for such a job.

How do we pass a law disallowing that kind of behavior?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at November 06, 2023 11:57 AM (mj0Qp)

260 Term limits for congress is great - I agree 100% - but they are not enough. We also need term limits for the administrative state. Nobody should make a career out of working in government.

Solution is simple. No government job unless specifically called for in the Constitution. Especially when it's duplicated by 50 states.
Looking at you DoT.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:57 AM (G8h7g)

261 249 restrict voting to property-owning males born inside the US to US citizen parents
Posted by: DB - at November 06, 2023 11:55 AM (geLO

I'd be willing to try 'employed citizens' as a restricted.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at November 06, 2023 11:57 AM (xcxpd)

262 'A female field hockey player...sustained significant facial and dental injuries when she was struck in the face by a shot in the 3rd quarter versus Swampscott. The shot was taken by a male member of the Swampscott girls field hockey team.'

Posted by: SMOD at November 06, 2023 11:57 AM (RHGPo)

263 This callipygian blonde in a tight dress favors restrictions of government and its agents fairly generally - and the more, the better:
https://is.gd/FaMcUU
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

Hate the Kardashian big-ass look.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at November 06, 2023 11:58 AM (BdMk6)

264 What we need is ‘term limits’ in the civil service. No collective bargaining. No pensions. No 401(k) matching.

ideally incarceration.

Posted by: Legion of Boom at November 06, 2023 11:58 AM (TEkdf)

265 So, is that the actual Manifesto ?

Posted by: It's me donna at November 06, 2023 11:58 AM (bs+z0)

266 Solution is simple. No government job unless specifically called for in the Constitution. Especially when it's duplicated by 50 states.
Looking at you DoT.
Posted by: rickb223 at November 06, 2023 11:57 AM (G8h7g)

I agree with you - but you know this means no more social security, no more medicare. All of that has to go. It won't of course.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 06, 2023 11:59 AM (i9ffA)

267 Well, as long as we're in fantasy land, anyone who hasn't been pleasured by Kate Upton can't vote, because LOSER!

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:52 AM (I/Qkd)

So, you promise never to vote again? That's a start.

She and I go way back.

Posted by: Archimedes at November 06, 2023 11:59 AM (I/Qkd)

268 X doesn't have the fetish for activism and cult-like mentality that the younger generations seem to have. They are essentially getting out-screamed.
Posted by: Elric Blade at November 06, 2023 11:56 AM (iFTx/)

We used to call that The Silent Majority.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 11:59 AM (MNhXM)

269 But now in Pa the old electronic voting where you could pick straight party now you must fill in ovals for each election voting on. And still with street ballot boxes voting early and often seems to win the day

Posted by: Skip at November 06, 2023 11:59 AM (fwDg9)

270 Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail...

Hot news @TheNewsTrending 2h
The IDF Logistics Corps has been carrying out intensive efforts to resupply ground forces operating in the Gaza Strip, while the Technology and Maintenance Corps has been working to repair damaged vehicles and return them to the battlefield.

Commander of the Logistics Corps, Brig. Gen. Haim Malki says there are nightly convoys entering Gaza, providing troops with ammunition, equipment, food, water, fuel, and medical supplies.

Very few IDF vehicles have been severely damaged beyond repair or entirely disabled. Commander of Technology and Maintenance Corps, Brig. Gen. Ariel Shima says the vast majority of vehicles damaged by Hamas fire are being returned to the fighting after repairs.
https://tinyurl.com/mphukwpj
36 seconds; no sound

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at November 06, 2023 12:00 PM (krqg6)

271 How do we pass a law disallowing that kind of behavior?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at November 06, 2023 11:57 AM (mj0Qp)

I would ultimately be easier to pass laws (and amendments) limiting who can vote then being able to stop the corruption.

Even everyone's favorite conservative House Rep or Senator on this site is likely corrupt. Maybe not Biden-level corrupt, but they are corrupt and their votes bought. If even 10% of congresspeople are totally honest and not corrupt in any way, I would be shocked.

Posted by: I forgot my name b/c I haven't posted in 6 months at November 06, 2023 12:00 PM (ky+MF)

272 >>>Hey! My girl's booty was WAY bigger!!!
Posted by: Admiral Ackbar at November 06, 2023 11:55 AM (NCgXW)

=====

Yes, but yours didn't require months of deadlifts and split squats. Just months at the buffet.

Posted by: Turn 2 at November 06, 2023 12:00 PM (JfxgE)

273 My red neck sidewalk is blowing away with all the wind.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 06, 2023 12:00 PM (cRrcX)

274 This callipygian blonde in a tight dress favors restrictions of government and its agents fairly generally - and the more, the better:
https://is.gd/FaMcUU
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

Hate the Kardashian big-ass look.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at November 06, 2023 11:58 AM (BdMk6)

Another cultural gift forced on us by 13% of the population.

Posted by: Drive by at November 06, 2023 12:01 PM (MNhXM)

275 18 A better solution would be doubling or tripling the number of house seats.
Posted by: Montec at November 06, 2023 11:08 AM (bWsRe)

———-

Agree. Add in a lottery to select Representatives randomly.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at November 06, 2023 12:01 PM (4JksR)

276 THE BOSS HAS A NOOD

Posted by: Skip at November 06, 2023 12:01 PM (fwDg9)

277 Break the dam!

Release the river!!

Posted by: some stupid with a flare gun at November 06, 2023 12:01 PM (MB784)

278 If even 10% of congresspeople are totally honest and not corrupt in any way, I would be shocked.
Posted by: I forgot my name b/c I haven't posted in 6 months at November 06, 2023 12:00 PM (ky+MF)
---
And those guys are most likely backbenchers and not assigned to any plum committees...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 06, 2023 12:01 PM (YIVH2)

279 I would ultimately be easier to pass laws (and amendments) limiting who can vote then being able to stop the corruption.

Even everyone's favorite conservative House Rep or Senator on this site is likely corrupt. Maybe not Biden-level corrupt, but they are corrupt and their votes bought. If even 10% of congresspeople are totally honest and not corrupt in any way, I would be shocked.
Posted by: I forgot my name b/c I haven't posted in 6 months at November 06, 2023 12:00 PM (ky+MF)

a) We couldn't limit who can vote without a constitutional amendment, which will never happen.

and

b) agreed, I think it's about 100%. And I think Biden is unsophisticated and stupid, which is why his crimes are so apparent. Most of our congresscritters are probably (hopefully) a BIT more subtle about their bribes.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at November 06, 2023 12:02 PM (mj0Qp)

280 >>>Looking at you DoT.

Posted by: rickb223
---

ICC
Dept of Ed
ATF

Posted by: Braenyard at November 06, 2023 12:02 PM (Okeht)

281 Where term limits exist, they have made no benefit, except perhaps to empower the bureaucracy and as well as the staff of incumbents in setting up their own candidacy to take their bosses place.

They solve nothing, and to a certain extent, make the current problems worse. This is always an interesting philosophical argument - but it's pointless.

Posted by: Black JEM at November 06, 2023 12:03 PM (GZYu7)

282 18 A better solution would be doubling or tripling the number of house seats.
Posted by: Montec at November 06, 2023 11:08 AM (bWsRe)

How about a congress "purge". One day every 3 years it is legal to purge any congressional member or staffer.

Posted by: I forgot my name b/c I haven't posted in 6 months at November 06, 2023 12:03 PM (ky+MF)

283 Another big juicy booty. I'm sensing a pattern.
Posted by: Maj. Healey at November 06, 2023 11:51 AM

Mannix wants to date AOC?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState

Hey! My girl's booty was WAY bigger!!!
Posted by: Admiral Ackbar at November 06, 2023 11:55 AM (NCgXW)

Your gal's booty has sufficient mass to form its own gravity well.

Posted by: Zombie Stephen Hawking at November 06, 2023 12:03 PM (4I/2K)

284 So, is that the actual Manifesto ?
----------
Her notebook writings. See the sock link.

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at November 06, 2023 12:06 PM (krqg6)

285 So why don't they? They don't want to. X was the last of the live and let live generation. They generally want to enjoy the life they've built. I think X looks at the world, sees a complete shitstorm, says "fuck this," and retreats to enjoying their own life. I'm X and that's me to a "T."

X doesn't have the fetish for activism and cult-like mentality that the younger generations seem to have. They are essentially getting out-screamed.
Posted by: Elric Blade at November 06, 2023 11:56 AM (iFTx/)

I’m X and you just described me to a “T”

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at November 06, 2023 12:06 PM (KEuti)

286 Pretty woman but way too much time on the Big Booty workout.

Posted by: Skip at November 06, 2023 12:07 PM (fwDg9)

287 17 27
'Bunch of little faggots'
'I like where the killer called little kids that she was about to kill "weak."'

There can be no doubt that this wretch projected her self hatred onto the people she killed.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at November 06, 2023 12:08 PM (N9gGE)

288 Good thread. Yes indeed. Expose them. Harp on the little they actually do & whom they serve. Harp on the fact the Executive Branch simply does what it wants through Executive Order.

Look at the days in session for the U. S. Senate and U. S. House of Representatives. Look at their trips hither and yon, taking family and friends. Look at the costs of staffing their offices, both in D.C. and locally; the use of GOVs; their salaries and per diem; benefits; other perks for family, etc. (school access, school loans, work for government & NGOs, etc)) & also their very thin ethics requirements.

Go onto Ballotpedia, etc. and look at who and what put them, and keep them, in office.

They want a Living Constitution? We need a Living Constitution to control & remove the clowns.

PS - And go to your state for info. on politicians (especially those in play right now) including time in session for the State Senate and House; their salaries; staffing; per diem; use of GOVs, etc. - all the above and, in state, to whom they're related.

It's hard to imagine greater nepotism than in-state, while the Federals shove their hands into corporations directly or via family.

Posted by: L - Can't make 'em love you more or hate you less at November 06, 2023 12:09 PM (GshMh)

289 35
'The Founders were so forward looking, yet they missed this'

The founders expected us to do some of the work.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at November 06, 2023 12:10 PM (N9gGE)

290 Every. Incumbent. Out.

I can dream.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at November 06, 2023 12:14 PM (ufFY8)

291 Term limits for government employees. No more than 25 years on the taxpayers' dime.

Posted by: Malcolm Kirkpatrick at November 06, 2023 12:19 PM (IoPCQ)

292 “We already have term limits, they’re called elections.”

Respectfully, they’re wrong.

I do not think they are Wrong. We just have a Stupid Electorate. I believe it was Franklin that said for this to work it will Require an "Informed Electorate". Stupid and Lazy is what we got. Not necessarily "miss-informed", but "Ill-informed", lets not to forget Lazy looking for a Free Lunch. Even people I find who agree with me. We're Doomed.

Posted by: Paladin at November 06, 2023 12:33 PM (JX1fv)

293 California's term limits has not exactly been a story of success.

Posted by: Socratease at November 06, 2023 12:34 PM (nK5nK)

294 Term Limits is one thing... but it's only part of the issue.

The problem is our legislators have voted themselves fat salaries and benefit packages. This has two side-effects:

1. People can now make a living as a Congressman or Senator. And as a result, they feel a pressure to "DO things!!!" that are not relevant to average Joe Citizen. Activism and disconnection from reality have resulted in a distinct schism.

2. People who are young, inexperienced and stupid, with no track record of success, are now running for high political office, and winning!, because "Career". The result is people who can't even make a living as a bartender (or arrogant failed Ivy League lawyer) becoming representatives in Congress and even Senators.

It used to be that the pay was poor with the idea that those going to Washington (or your State House or even the local City Council) were civic minded and, more to the point, were already successful and could afford to be (basically) volunteers with expenses paid.

Posted by: Darth Chipmunk at November 06, 2023 12:36 PM (AD14M)

295 Tranny killer targeted rich kids North of Richmond.

Posted by: torabora at November 06, 2023 12:40 PM (EmTGi)

296 Posted by: Archer at November 06, 2023 11:12 AM (gmo/4)

They never saw the federal government gaining as much power as it did. They envisioned it as what people would look at as a burden- not a choice brass ring.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 06, 2023 11:15 AM (Gbphe)

Agree.

It's been a while since I was in college reading the Federalist Papers. I remember a lot of discussions regarding.

Posted by: Archer at November 06, 2023 12:42 PM (gmo/4)

297 Term limits: you should get two terms elected to any Federal office and only one Federal office. Choose wisely.

So we get one chance to vote you out and if you pass that we never have to deal with you again when you term out.

Posted by: torabora at November 06, 2023 12:44 PM (EmTGi)

298 You might be able to convince me that term limits are a good idea or even necessary.

But we've been here before and if you want term limits, you're going to need to amend the Constitution first.

U.S. Term Limits v. Thornton.

Posted by: azlibertarian at November 06, 2023 12:47 PM (35Ezm)

299 Pelosi cleverly left a $34k expense account available for Congresscritters to feed off of. Not part of salary. No receipts necessary. Just submit voucher.

Matt Gaetz has been getting his beak wet I hear....

If true, I want him gone.

Posted by: torabora at November 06, 2023 12:49 PM (EmTGi)

300 How about a Lotto type Drawing from Regestered Voters? Yes all the way to the Top. An the President for the next 4 years is .... Joe Schmoe! Joe Come on down to D.C.. Of course all Bureaucrats will have to be castrated. So they have no reason to steal. Just a thought.

Posted by: Paladin at November 06, 2023 12:49 PM (JX1fv)

301 The State and the political parties who shape and benefit by it are now unmoored from the people they purport to represent. The current system is on the verge of losing -- may already have lost -- the Mandate of Heaven, leaving only technological and physical coercion. Historically "force and force alone" as an organizing principle has proven untenable in the long run and is likely to prove so again.

So what is to be done?

Find people locally whom you trust, and start getting yourselves organized, recognizing that you might have to spend time, energy, and money doing things that are less enjoyable than you'd like, and that it might even lead to a knock at the door some night. Resist the temptation to advertise on the socials, and the knock might be delayed or even avoided.

Ordered Liberty is hard. Waiting for someone else to do the hard things is unfortunately liable to get you a Franco or Pinochet at best, a Stalin or Mao at worst.

Posted by: Rowsdower Believes Ray Epps is a Fed and Ashli Bennett is Crispus Attucks at November 06, 2023 01:09 PM (Yvzx0)

302 I don't disagree with the intent behind term limits, and in basic theory support them. I do however, do not at this time support them. Until the administrative state/civil service (at least past a certain position) is brought to heel... do we REALLY want them to have inexperienced congressmen to nom on?

Posted by: Andrew Norris at November 06, 2023 01:10 PM (3i2ct)

303 This is perhaps the best article I have ever read in support of term limits. Well done.

Posted by: Eric at November 06, 2023 01:26 PM (LhGUn)

304 Democracy is whatever The Party says it is. It's like you don't pay attention.

Posted by: Jim at November 06, 2023 02:04 PM (zhWvq)

305 "but the cards are so stacked against primary challenges to an incumbent that pulling off a win is akin to a 16-seed winning a basketball game in March Madness. It can happen – rarely - but it’s almost impossible."

Disagree. Of all the Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, only one (Dan Newhouse (WA-04)) was re-elected. All the others were either primaried or chose not to run.

Posted by: Bea Arthur's Dick at November 06, 2023 02:22 PM (Qt4kF)

306 Mr. Throckmorton, just admit it: this voting thing is simply TOO HARD, and this is why you want the lazy way out.

Anyone who advocates for term limits is lazy. Laziness is what ultimately has caused the fix we are in. So your proposed cure is to be MORE lazy and to make voters MORE lazy.

I saw it happen in San Antonio. How? In 1991, San Antonio voters approved term limits for its city council and the mayor. How did that turn out? Well, it was for two terms, and almost without fail, that second election saw the incumbent win with over 75% of the vote, or run unopposed. Basically voters just said "Well, Councilman such and such is a bum but I am just going to let him get term limited out. So term limits simply made the electorate MORE lazy.

Also, CA has had term limits in its state offices since 1990. How has that worked out for CA?

Quit being lazy.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 06, 2023 06:40 PM (8sMut)

307 69 Been saying this for years...

Serve in Congress for 12 yrs max. That's 2 terms for Senate and 6 terms for Representatives. If you can't graft enough to keep you satisfied in that amount of time, you are doing it wrong.
And when I am elected High Empress this will happen.
Also...

Congress critters will be paid by the State from which they were elected. Their salary cannot legally exceed 3x poverty rate. State pays for their health insurance and owns the dormitory where all reps and sens are required to live. No private residence for these leeches.
The ins. and residence fees are part of the salary.
Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 06, 2023 11:19 AM (cRrcX)

You may as well give them a single 12 year term. Term limits induce voter laziness. People who want them are likewise lazy.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 06, 2023 06:43 PM (8sMut)

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