NO PERSONS SHALL BE ELECTED FOR MORE THAN 18 YEARS OF COMBINED SERVICE BETWEEN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE.
So a vast majority of people in the United States can get behind term limits. The problem is that the very people that could vote this into law, will not because it would put them out of office. What I was taught in the military that there are two ways to actively create change. The first and most obvious is from the top down, the second is from the bottom up, and this is what I am proposing. By putting the 28th Amendment on the ballot in the next election we can create change and give American people something they have wanted for years. Being a politician was never supposed to be a life long career and we need to make it so that representatives and senators focus more on taking care of their constituents and less on reelection.
If we are being honest a person in government for 18 years can cause a whole lot of damage I say 10 years of combined service of military senate house and any state public job as well a waiver system should be used for an additional 5 years reviewed on a yearly basis for exceptional individual forced retirement at 15 years should be used in times of piece
The military should have exceptions for leadership but they too should be reviewed yearly after 10 years and forced retirement at 20 years in piece times war time should be adjusted to accomplish a particular goal.
Thank you reading and responding on the post first of all. I feel like you have some valid points and all things that may be considered. Part of the reason I said 18 years is because this still allows for the house and senate to keep a tier of seniority. This will help the newly elected officials learn the process of their position. The 18 year maximum also allows for a smooth transition, for the current terms we use(not trying to insult anyone’s intelligence but its 2 for a representative and 6 for a senator if you are unaware). I am trying to make this a fairly simple amendment but I find the war waiver interesting. Feel free to add to or make changes(amend the ammendment), this is something many have wanted for so long and if we can present a strong enough argument and shed enough light on this, then maybe we can get it on the ballots.
There has to be a Convention of States to propose Constitutional Amendments if Congress fails to purpose and vote for an amendment. That’s the only way. This is a Republic and amendments go through representatives in federal government and then through representatives in State government. Amendments can’t be by public vote.
I want term limits, too. It should be 4 terms for the House and 2 terms for the Senate. If someone wants to switch from one chamber to another then they most be out of current office for at least 4 years. Also, no lifetime pay/retirement since being a representatives or senator is not meant to be a career. Lastly, congress’ pay should come from the State they represent and not the federal government.
Your consideration of what the number of years should be and why is commendable, @Oink. It’s crucial to balance the need for fresh leadership with the retention of institutional knowledge. The amendment should also tackle systemic issues like corporate influence head-on, as the problem isn’t just about how long legislators serve but how they serve and who they serve while in office.
To address the root of the problem goes much farther than term limits, as we must also work on separating corporate influence from state functions as term limits alone might not suffice without broader systemic reforms. Hence this proposal for a Policy to Establish the Separation of the Corporatocracy and the State
I agree there needs to be term limits. These politicians get too comfortable. I think it needs to be 10 years or less. I’m tired of the secret clubs ad them going against the American people. They work for us, but somehow they have forgotten that. They use our money for stupid stuff, they steal and funnel our money to enrich their own lives.
I agree with it don’t know if it will pass. If a person shows their taxes and it does not show foreign PACS and influence. They should be able serve longer.
I love this idea for amendment 28. I would add into it that if any politician in office commits any act of treason, sedition or puts our country in jeopardy in any way they shall be terminated immediately without pay for life and held liable in federal prison if a court of law determines they are held guilty.
I am so sick and tired of seeing these politicians do or not do illegal political activities that are unconstitutional and if the act was done by you or me we’d immediately be put in prison. They all need to be held accountable and so during this term limit amendment 28 I would like to see changes done for their illegal acts during their term. After all they work for us!
I agree on their pay should come from the state and not federal funds. I absolutely love the idea that they should NOT be paid for life for their duties. That def is one of my biggest issues with politicians bc they just keep bilking off we the people while we struggle to make ends meet to fill their bank accounts.
I propose that the U.S. Senate serve two four-year terms and the U.S. House of Representatives serve three two-year terms, for a total of 14 years combined. This way, it gives the elected senators and representatives enough time to get things done without a long time in office to allow corruption to set in.
This proposed amendment would foster greater accountability among elected officials, as shorter terms would encourage them to be more responsive to the needs and concerns of their constituents. By limiting the duration of their service, we can invigorate the political landscape with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, reducing the risk of entrenched interests dominating the legislative process. Additionally, this reform can enhance civic engagement, as citizens may feel more empowered to participate in elections knowing that their representatives are operating within a defined timeframe. Ultimately, these changes can lead to a more dynamic and effective government that prioritizes the welfare of the American people over personal or political gain, promoting a healthier Republic that truly reflects the voice of its citizens.
Along with this amendment, I also propose that all elected officials must sign a contract (Accountable To The People Contract) with the people they serve, including strict guidelines for accountability and transparency. As part of the contract agreement, if the elected official fails to meet the needs of the people they represent in a satisfactory manner, the people can remove the elected official and replace them with someone else. This should be done at both the federal and state levels of government. Furthermore, this contract should include provisions for regular performance evaluations and public feedback mechanisms, ensuring that elected officials remain responsive to the evolving needs of their constituents. By fostering a culture of accountability, we can strengthen our Republic and ensure that the voices of the people are heard and respected.
It’s only a life long career because it pays well enough with enough benefits to make it a life long career. Remove those things, and it will naturally limit itself.
I must agree with pwraulston in his prior comment, because he is correct. You cannot create an Amendment by ballot. Article V allows for two paths: 2/3 of both houses of Congress pass the proposed amendment, or the legislatures of 2/3 of the States pass essentially identical resolutions. In both cases, 3/4 of the States must then ratify the proposed amendment for it to become law, so there is a huge, built-in firewall of “safety in numbers” to protect us from any off-the-wall proposals. Therefore, I suggest that EVERYONE interested in this topic also search this page for “call a convention of the states to limit the scope power and jurisdiction of the federal government” by Mark Meckler. His organization, at conventionofstates.com, is well on their way to getting 2/3 of the State legislatures required to call a Convention of States (it is NOT a Constitutional Convention; dismiss or educate anyone who says such!), but there is still much work to be done, and all hands and hearts are needed! Full disclosure: I am a volunteer for said organization. Thank you, James, for being a concerned steward of our republic!
Agree, remove the benefits and it will reduce the incentive to remain so long, or even reduce benefits on a graduated scale, i.e. after 12 years (Senate and Rep) no increase in retirement benefits. They are static at fixed amounts with no compounding, increases etc.
I do agree with these term limits that was stated in the comments by Trevor and I also agree with your comment along with pwraulstons. This is a great topic and I do believe there should be term limits to root out corruption and I do believe that they should also remove the benefits !
@Oink: Instead of 18 years of combined service in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, I would prefer to have the term limit extend only to 12 years. That way, a specific U.S. House representative can only serve up to six two-year terms and a specific U.S. senator can only serve up to two six-year terms. These terms limits also apply to consecutive, back-to-back terms and non-consecutive terms. So if a House rep serves a two-year term, loses the election to his or her opponent, and then wins the election two years later, then the rep can only serve for 10 more years. Likewise, if a senator serves a six-year term, loses the election to his or her opponent, and then wins the election six years later, then the senator can only serve for one more six-year term.
Even bureaucrats and SES level employees need to have term limits.
No one should be in government more than 20 years. . that is almost a generation.
We need to put the Serve back in Public Servant! #WWG1WGA ThanQ