Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Yeah, you can always find the exception, but to try to infer that the entire election was swayed by it is a stretch, at most.
There's some underlying truth in Tina Fey's skit; the funniest political satire contains at least a few truthful grains. Geography wasn't Palin's strong suit, and there were plenty of things that she actually did say that can back that up. She really wasn't ready to play in the big leagues, and it more than showed.
Palin certainly isn't prefect, but I don't recall her stating things that were false time after time. Obama has gaff after gaff and the press ignored him. Had Palin made this mistake it would have been on the news daily for weeks, instead it's buried in youtube, as are dozens of other "gems" that Obama has said.
Congressional term limits, while being insignificant in the Senate, would be disastrous if implemented in the House. In the Senate every State is represented by two Senators, so seniority is not as important.
However, in the House seniority is the only way for any of the small populous States to have any kind of authority, as in Chairs of Committees. Term limits in the House would destroy that seniority and give all authority to only the most populous States, which is a very bad idea. Rep. Don Young would never have been Chairman of the Transportation or Natural Resources Committees had it not been for seniority.
You are speaking to maintaining the very thing we need to discard and that is an individual having the power to get his/her way in what is elected as a constituent body where each vote counts the same. The way our Congress is set up now allows the worst of all things to occur which is how one person can dictate the fate of any question that arises. I suppose you think you could be that person whose omnipresent dictatorial powers can choose the wisest course? The reason the jury system works, most of the time, is the group has no permanent leader and the instructions allow the choice to be made based on the facts (evidence) even if the jury foreperson says otherwise. There have been cases of jury nullification because one person held out for a viewpoint not shared by the other jurors. However in those cases the verdict can be presented by another jury so your entire theory of seniority falls of it own ponderous weight. An elected body should reflect the will of the electorate not the will of a smaller group merely because someone has stuck around for longer than any other. Don Young should never be the chairman of any committee because the voters aren't smart enough to pick a better person rather than the same old same old. You have to be rather dense to think seniority brings about better results.
You are speaking to maintaining the very thing we need to discard and that is an individual having the power to get his/her way in what is elected as a constituent body where each vote counts the same. The way our Congress is set up now allows the worst of all things to occur which is how one person can dictate the fate of any question that arises. I suppose you think you could be that person whose omnipresent dictatorial powers can choose the wisest course? The reason the jury system works, most of the time, is the group has no permanent leader and the instructions allow the choice to be made based on the facts (evidence) even if the jury foreperson says otherwise. There have been cases of jury nullification because one person held out for a viewpoint not shared by the other jurors. However in those cases the verdict can be presented by another jury so your entire theory of seniority falls of it own ponderous weight. An elected body should reflect the will of the electorate not the will of a smaller group merely because someone has stuck around for longer than any other. Don Young should never be the chairman of any committee because the voters aren't smart enough to pick a better person rather than the same old same old. You have to be rather dense to think seniority brings about better results.
California has had term limits on state-level government officials for a while now. It hasn't helped (and the terms were extended in the last election). The political party is in control, regardless of who happens to get elected.
You are speaking to maintaining the very thing we need to discard and that is an individual having the power to get his/her way in what is elected as a constituent body where each vote counts the same. The way our Congress is set up now allows the worst of all things to occur which is how one person can dictate the fate of any question that arises. I suppose you think you could be that person whose omnipresent dictatorial powers can choose the wisest course? The reason the jury system works, most of the time, is the group has no permanent leader and the instructions allow the choice to be made based on the facts (evidence) even if the jury foreperson says otherwise. There have been cases of jury nullification because one person held out for a viewpoint not shared by the other jurors. However in those cases the verdict can be presented by another jury so your entire theory of seniority falls of it own ponderous weight. An elected body should reflect the will of the electorate not the will of a smaller group merely because someone has stuck around for longer than any other. Don Young should never be the chairman of any committee because the voters aren't smart enough to pick a better person rather than the same old same old. You have to be rather dense to think seniority brings about better results.
The only term limit I recognize is the vote. If you keep voting for morons, then you have absolutely no right to demand that others not vote for your idiot politician. Just because you are not happy with the way an election turns out, does not give you or anyone else the right to demand others not vote for them in the future. Term limits are for selfish bastards and wannabe fascists.
The way the House of Representatives is set up is by seniority, and has been that way for the last 224 years. A small populous State may gain power and authority only by continually electing and reelecting the same Representatives to the House. You take that away, and only States like California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois will have all the power.
Term limits are for selfish bastards and wannabe fascists.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could get to what the founding fathers wanted when they set up this democracy? Just think we could actually elect the person best suited for the job of representing the UNITED STATES. No where in the Document is there anything about seniority being the sole qualification for any elected office. But if you take the time to go to the library and read the texts on the arguments those people used for setting up a government it was to allow the people to vote for the best person for the job not the crook who will trade his soul for another's vote in the way he wants them to vote. That is what seniority has done to our Congress and no argument you can advance can dispute that simple fact.
Term limits are for selfish bastards and wannabe fascists.
This is indeed comical but the fact is a group of Republicans have introduced a bill to impose term limits and do away with automatic pay increases for Congresspersons. The only thing they failed to put into the bill is make it daily pay only while a Congressperson is at his desk ready to filibuster or cast a vote. If a Congressperson isn't there to vote then that person should get no pay. I can think of one more thing that might help and that is no pensions unless you actually have introduced some kind of fundamental bill that is actually voted into law. Just think those lazy bastards would find something useful to do while they aren't on vacation. Read who the republicans are who favor term limits at this link.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could get to what the founding fathers wanted when they set up this democracy? Just think we could actually elect the person best suited for the job of representing the UNITED STATES. No where in the Document is there anything about seniority being the sole qualification for any elected office. But if you take the time to go to the library and read the texts on the arguments those people used for setting up a government it was to allow the people to vote for the best person for the job not the crook who will trade his soul for another's vote in the way he wants them to vote. That is what seniority has done to our Congress and no argument you can advance can dispute that simple fact.
Seniority is not a qualification for any elected office, and the US Constitution is silent on the distribution of power within Congress, such as who should chair which committees and why. As a result, Congress has determined since its inception that the most experienced congressional members should hold the highest positions within Congress.
As I mentioned previously, in the Senate seniority it does not make much difference, therefore, term limits would have limited effect since every State is represented by two Senators, regardless of it size or population. However, that is not the case in the House, where the population significantly matters, as does size to a lesser extent. If the House picked chairmanships entirely at random there would only be a 1 in 435 chance of Alaska being selected, but the chance of someone from California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois being selected is 1 in 37. Considering that there are only 42 total committees in the House (21 congressional, 20 standing, and 1 select), the odds of Alaska, or any other small populous State, being selected is significantly reduced when compared to the five most populous States.
The House Speaker determines the overall agenda of the House, but each of the House committee Chairs determines the agenda of the bills that comes before their committee. The overwhelming majority (90%+) of the bills introduced in both houses of Congress die in those committees.
Since seniority has been key to obtaining chairmanships for 224 years, it would be wise for small populous States to elect and reelect the same Representative(s) continuously until they have finally achieved the power to become chair of committee(s). Unless, of course, you think it is entirely appropriate for the small populous States to always be subservient to the whims of the large populous States.
This is indeed comical but the fact is a group of Republicans have introduced a bill to impose term limits and do away with automatic pay increases for Congresspersons. The only thing they failed to put into the bill is make it daily pay only while a Congressperson is at his desk ready to filibuster or cast a vote. If a Congressperson isn't there to vote then that person should get no pay. I can think of one more thing that might help and that is no pensions unless you actually have introduced some kind of fundamental bill that is actually voted into law. Just think those lazy bastards would find something useful to do while they aren't on vacation. Read who the republicans are who favor term limits at this link.
There has been proposed constitutional amendments to limit the terms of Congress in every Session of Congress for decades. Just as there have been proposed constitutional amendments to repeal the 22nd Amendment in every Session of Congress for decades. Both have always died in the Committee on the Judiciary. Not a single proposed amendment to limit terms or repeal the presidential term limit has ever made it out of the Judiciary Committee to be voted on by the floor of the House or Senate. That is the power of the Committee Chair.
There has been proposed constitutional amendments to limit the terms of Congress in every Session of Congress for decades. Just as there have been proposed constitutional amendments to repeal the 22nd Amendment in every Session of Congress for decades. Both have always died in the Committee on the Judiciary. Not a single proposed amendment to limit terms or repeal the presidential term limit has ever made it out of the Judiciary Committee to be voted on by the floor of the House or Senate. That is the power of the Committee Chair.
So because someone from whatever State is Committee Chair for the reason they have stayed there the longest time that means they develop legislation that they want and not what the majority of Americans wish to have? Congress persons are held in lower repute, than even used car sales people or lawyers, for what reason? Is it because the gates are closed to fundamental laws that comply with what the wishes of the American people are? Or maybe after being a Congress person for a predetermined length of time that person has become wiser or maybe a better liar? I have followed the trials and tribulations of Alaska since 1959 and still have a Lionel Train with Alaska RR cars from 1959 which still look the same after more than fifty years. And in those years I recall time after time where the Congresspersons from Alaska sought and received much largess from the rest of us. In those years it seems Alaska always got much more than other States and I don't begrudge the State those gains. However how many persons have represented Alaska during those years? And is it possible they failed to represent the entire united States which is the only reason they should have been elected?
So because someone from whatever State is Committee Chair for the reason they have stayed there the longest time that means they develop legislation that they want and not what the majority of Americans wish to have?
Chairs of committees determine the priorities for their committees. Nobody in Congress develops legislation in accord with the majority of Americans. They all develop legislation in accordance with the majority of their own constituents. The majority of Americans do not elect specific Representatives or Senators. If a bill is passed that happens to be what the majority of Americans want it is purely coincidental.
Quote:
Originally Posted by richelles
Congress persons are held in lower repute, than even used car sales people or lawyers, for what reason? Is it because the gates are closed to fundamental laws that comply with what the wishes of the American people are? Or maybe after being a Congress person for a predetermined length of time that person has become wiser or maybe a better liar?
There are multiple reasons why Congress critters are held is such low regard. Not least of which is that they are corrupt habitual liars.
Quote:
Originally Posted by richelles
I have followed the trials and tribulations of Alaska since 1959 and still have a Lionel Train with Alaska RR cars from 1959 which still look the same after more than fifty years. And in those years I recall time after time where the Congresspersons from Alaska sought and received much largess from the rest of us. In those years it seems Alaska always got much more than other States and I don't begrudge the State those gains. However how many persons have represented Alaska during those years? And is it possible they failed to represent the entire united States which is the only reason they should have been elected?
The only time Alaska got more per capita than any other State was when Senator Stevens was Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Alaska also benefited when Rep. Don Young was Chairman of the Transportation and Natural Resources Committees, and when Senator Murkowski (the father, not the daughter) was Chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee. The 1990s was a virtual boon to Alaska, and further demonstrates the necessity for small populous States to elect and continually reelect their Congress critters in order to continue enjoying that federal largesse.
That is how Congress was always intended to work, and term limits will not change that reality. The only thing term limits will accomplish is to ensure that none of the States with small populations will ever get the same federal benefits the States with large populations receive.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
