5 Reasons for U.S. Congressional Term Limits

The Supreme Court ruled in 1955 that states cannot impose additional qualifications on their federal representatives, including term limits, beyond those provided by the Constitution of the United States (see U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton, 514 U.S. 779).

Therefore, if an elected U.S. Representative is limited to three terms in office, it must either be self-imposed or a U.S. Constitutional Amendment is needed.

Few U.S. Representatives will self-impose term limits. Tom Coburn did. He served three terms as Oklahoma U.S. Representative (1995-2001), kept his promise, and did not run for a fourth term.

My incumbent opponent, Oklahoma District 3 Congressman Frank Lucas, has also expressed his support for term limits. He co-sponsored a bill calling for a Constitutional Amendment that would cap elected U.S. Representatives to three terms. Frank Lucas is now running for his fifteenth term.

I’ve promised to serve only three terms if I win the U.S. Congressional (OK-CD3) election. My word is my bond.

I give you five reasons for term limits for those who see no issue with career politicians. Our Founding Fathers believed citizen statesmen, not career politicians, should lead us.

George Washington set a precedent in 1796 when he decided several months before the election not to seek a third term and return to his farm. Washington’s decision to decline running for a third term was a safeguard against tyrannical power exhibited by the British crown during the colonial era.

Not all career politicians are millionaires going in, but all career politicians are millionaires going out.

Will Rogers once quipped, “You could keep politics clean if you could figure out some way your government never hired anyone.” Lobbyists in Washington D.C. have become embedded with career politicians. The longer they stay, the more luxurious they live.

Career politicians create protectionist policies.

It may be too strong to call career politics a “racket,” but 99% of incumbents win re-election, even if they are old, feeble-minded, and ill-equipped to lead (see Nancy Pelosi). Why? Because career politicians set up a system to protect incumbents in both parties. They share in fund-raising and create policies that keep out those not already in the establishment. Disrupters like Donald Trump get things done.

Career politicians change over time.

A man like Frank Lucas may go into the office with a noble cause, like protecting small farmers and ranchers from federal encroachment. Over time, however, career politicians change. Frank is no longer serving on the Agriculture Committee. Instead, he is the ranking member of Space, Science, and Technology (Big Tech) and serves on Financial Services (Big Banking).

A regular change of representation keeps the people in charge, not Washington D.C. career politicians.

Frank Lucas should be honored for his three decades of federal office. It’s time for a change.

Wade Burleson, OKCD-03

Wade Burleson is a writer, historian, retired pastor, former police chaplain for the Tulsa Police Department, , running for U.S Congress (OK-03) in the June 28 Republican Primary. His wife, Dr. Rachelle Burleson, is the chief nursing officer at Enid’s regional medical center. The Burlesons have lived in Enid for 30 years and have four married children and five grandchildren. He is endorsed by OCPAC, OK2A, OHPR, and many others. More information can be found at www.burlesonforcongress.com.

(Approved and paid for by Burleson for Congress 2022, burlesonforcongress.com)