The Motivation For Term Limits Presents Itself

I have read the Constitution of the United States forward and backward ar least once a month, every month since at least 1968, when I took a Political Science/Government class in High School. When I went to Queens College and majored in Poli Sci and History, it was required reading.

 

I even downloaded it on my phone, along with the other Sacred Document, the Declaration of Independence. Just in case I needed to refer to it. Like now.

In the fifty-six years since 1968, nowhere did I find a section or even a clause which created a Civil Service position to be employed as a Senator or Representative in either House of the Congress. In addition, in 2013, I even wrote about the need to create Term Limits and updated that commentary several times.

On Tuesday evening, it was reported by CNN and other media sources, that Rep Steny Hoyer (D–Md) suffered a mild stroke. While I wish him a speedy recovery, this twenty-two term Congressman, presently running for yet another term, has served in the Congress for forty-four years, so far. That is  half his life, which is eighty-five years.

Is there no one else in his district, or even in the entire State of Maryland qualified to run and represent his district? Really? No one? Will there be no representative from his district ever again if he passes?

Congressman Hoyer isn’t the only thirty-plus year Member of Congress.  Not by a long shot. Some other long-termers include Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Chuck Grassley, Ed Markey, Hal Rogers, Chris Smith, Susan Collins and Ron Wyden.

Both parties are equally at fault for allowing this travesty. And it has been ongoing for years. In 1947, the Congress passed a Constitutional Amendment after Franklin Roosevelt died to limit the term that a President may serve. The reasoning was that “no one person” should have such control of the government for that long. Shouldn’t the same reasoning apply to the Congress?

The Founders believed that one would serve in Congress for a time and then return to his home, using his influence and what he learned in the Congress to help make a better life for his neighbors. Instead, most Members have a small home in their districts, to be technically registered voters and residents in the district, and better accommodations in the DC area.

Perhaps, finally, Congressman Hoyer’s stroke will prompt a Constitutional Amendment to limit the TOTAL years to be permitted to serve, like the Twenty-Second Amendment limiting a Presidential term, and prevent this subtle, ongoing abuse of Congressional power.