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Would putting term limits on members of congress really be a good thing, or do long terms get better results?

If a member of congress needs time to become good at their job because of the contacts that need to be established, would term limits be a good thing? How do we get congress members to truly do our bidding?

Public Comments

1. Term limits would be good.
2. Yes term limits would be a good thing, and we must get rid of lobbyist who have way to much influence in those members.
3. First, let's not vote in some guy who needs time to become good at their job. We have seen how disastrous that is with the president. Term limits would keep us from having career politicians. Politicians would do what is best for the country and not what is going to get them votes and pay their supporters. Two terms is enough.
4. Personally, the two year terms that Congress presently has is too short. You figure that at least half that time is running and petitioning for re-election. I feel that a Congress member should have no limit as far as he or she is in Congress, But something needs to change as far as term length. Maybe 4 years would be good. The Senate members have 6 year terms in which they are able to get more done and not have to constantly worry about re-election.
5. Just an opinion but I think it would encourage extremism These people need to support their constituents Actually this is impossible to answer
6. Term Limits would help. Was at a County Parade over the weekend, where our Representative Dingell led the parade. I seriously think we need to have these old old Politicians go through mental stability checks. I swear, the man is NOT "with it"..........no facial expressions, drooling, surrounded by too many who are doing his job. NOT GOOD, NOT GOOD AT ALL. I and many were taken a back from his appearance, and his non participation with the crowds. And this man was one of those writing up the Government Health Care?? WE ARE IN TROUB LE FOLKS
7. If your a democrat you should get only ten days. and free ticket to disney land. thats about all they are capable of handling., without flocking like sheep and messing up the house floor.
8. There is some argument that if members of Congress were repeatedly turned out of office, the unelected bureaucracy would actually seize more and more control of the government. That's a valid point, but I do believe in term limits...I'd say 4 terms maximum for a Congressmen, the same limit in years that the President is limited to. Our Congressmen are supposed to be smart, and they should be able to learn how to work "the system" within a year. If they can't...well, they're too dumb to be re-elected then. They should also have every expectation of having to go back and live in the real world that they've legislated into existence, and to be young enough that they actually have to go back out there and make a living in it. Being the senior house, I would allow Senators to serve three terms, maximum. But I would also limit total combined government service in the House and Senate to 20 years maximum. No more Jesse Helms' or Ted Kennedy's; politicians so arrogantly entrenched that they actually "believe" they have a right to be re-elected, and don't have to "earn" re-election.
9. We need to clean out the whole bunch and start over.
10. Term limits would limit the special interest groups. Typically they tend to target folks that been in congress the longest because they often have a lot of influence.
11. Time limit would be best.. then maybe we would have some fresh faces that do not get so comfortable that they actually stew in their seats and do nothing. Most of them are old and so set in their ways... they don't like any change.. and half of them don't give a damn about those who elected them except at election time. No if they knew they faced being put out, they might just work a little harder... it is what they are supposed to do. Now they just sit there and collect a big paycheck and wait for their fancy retirement... they are all simply lazy!
12. I guess you can see what we have now. Term limits must some how be achieved.