Does a four-year Presidential term make any sense?

[BigDGeek]

I think instead of lengthening the POTUS's term, we should put restrictions on the length of campaigns.

Honestly I think we'd be better off under a parliamentary system but that's just me. I think the way our government is structured is dumb.

[squarian]

Originally Posted by roysoldboy

I don't think most of those who think like that understand...They don't seem to understand

One of the textbook symptoms schizophrenic paranoia is that no one else seems to understand what appears to you to be an obvious truth.

[Mictlantecuhtli]

Originally Posted by roysoldboy

I wonder where you get some of those ideas you post about. Do you have any idea who determines the terms for governors? It seems that you don't understand that the United States government is based on what the Constitution says and that states all have their own constitutions to run their governments by.

How in hell do you think the federal government has anything to do with governors terms in office?

I'm fully aware of all of that.

My post was obviously tongue in cheek.

But since you missed it, completely, let me spell it out for you. My use of the words "optimal" and "clearly" mocked the idea that there is any ideal Presidential term. The fact that I selected primes for the first three offices -- and primes which don't even share a common multiple more than once every 105 years -- parodied the idea of jiggering term lengths in general, with absurdity Finally, the completely over-the-top suggestion that gubernatorial lengths not even be rounded to an even year, and instead gave us an election every single month, mocked the modern 'perpetual campaign'. The "perpetuity" at the end further mocked the idea that there is some sort of perfect term length for any office.

I hope I was able to clear up what should have been perfectly clear to you to begin with.

[rbohm]

our system of election cycles was designed to create gridlock at the federal level. the founding fathers did not want a king, or other long term head of the executive branch, thus the four year term for president. the founding fathers also figured that those elected to the house of representatives would spend a few terms in office, then go back to their lives in the private sector as the house was not designed to be a long term political career. in the senate it was designed for long term political careers at the whim of the states, not the people.

[MaseMan]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

I think instead of lengthening the POTUS's term, we should put restrictions on the length of campaigns.

I agree. I think there should be a three month primary cycle (maybe six months if we're feeling generous), immediately followed by a 90 days presidential campaign cycle right before the election.

There should also be taxes on all political donations, but that's a separate topic.