Readers respond to Question of the Week: Term, age limits for all federal offices?
The right to stay
Except for president and vice president there should be no term limits. People should have the right to try to serve in federal offices as a career if they wish to do so. — Richard Metzger, Porter Ranch
Yes, definitely
This is a no brainer. Every federal office should have term limits. Look at the situation today, these old-timers have built corruption dynasties. The old saying, power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely, still applies. All of this corruption is legal because it is all approved by the gang of thieves we have elected. Term limits for all, definitely. The Supreme Court is another matter. Since this institution has become a political tool, that also needs review and change. These old folks have to go. — Fritz Milas, Long Beach
Yes, we need term limits
We were never intended to have professional politicians. The Founders knew that a career politician would inevitably succumb to the seduction of power and the corruption that goes with it. Jefferson said, “Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.” Candid politicians admit they spend most of their time fundraising to run for reelection. One senator says he only spends two days a week actually at work, the other three days are traveling and fundraising for reelection.
How do politicians making six-figure salaries end up multimillionaires? We also need some impartial way to get rid of gerrymandered districts that guarantee 98% of incumbents get reelected.
Yes, we need term limits and some way to attract competent, public-minded servants of we the people. — Stephen Waddell, Palos Verdes Estates
Both term limits and cognitive testing needed
I support term limits and a mental competency test at all ages. People have developed dementia in their 40s. As part of term limits I would propose changing the term for representatives to four years and elect 50% of them every two years. This way they won't be starting to run for reelection as soon as they're elected. — Jim Winterroth, Torrance