Presidental Term - 6 Years?

[DEDixon 39]

should we extend the first term to 6 years?

my thinking is that when the constitution was written, 4 years was a long time to get things done (gov't was a lot smaller), but these days, everything takes so much longer. i mean, a guy that kills 10 people at the mall and was witnessed by 50 people, the trial takes years these days so no wonder it takes so much time for ANY president to get major initiatives signed into law.

take health care as an example, maybe if obama had 6 years, he would have slowed the pace? with just 4 years, it isn't long until people see the president as a lame can't-get-anything-done president for he/she just might be leaving.

still keep the 8 year limit... reelection would extend first term just 2 years and there would be some sort of fast track election process so we save the huge costs associated with a full blown election (not sure how this would work... any out of the box ideas?).

[Darnell 8,480]

with instant communication these days, I say - reduce it to 3 years.

Remember, that 4 year term was set way back in the day of carrier pigeon and horse delivered-mail.

[Peikko 1,575]

I say blow up the houses of parliament!

Oh, wait...

[웃 910]

In Mexico the term length is 6 years. The difference is you are only allowed 1 chance; no 2 terms allowed!

[DEDixon 39]

with instant communication these days, I say - reduce it to 3 years.

Remember, that 4 year term was set way back in the day of carrier pigeon and horse delivered-mail.

but lawmakers come to washington, now and back then so the pigeon thing doesn't play.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

We also had a part-time legislature back then.

[alienlovechild 75]

should we extend the first term to 6 years?

my thinking is that when the constitution was written, 4 years was a long time to get things done (gov't was a lot smaller), but these days, everything takes so much longer. i mean, a guy that kills 10 people at the mall and was witnessed by 50 people, the trial takes years these days so no wonder it takes so much time for ANY president to get major initiatives signed into law.

The Founders wanted some overlap between the elections for members of Congress and the president. They didn't know that few incumbents would be defeated at the ballot box hence a need for continuity.

Representatives have 2 year terms

Presidents have 4 year terms

Senators have 6 year terms

[mawilson 2,133]

The Founders wanted some overlap between the elections for members of Congress and the president. They didn't know that few incumbents would be defeated at the ballot box hence a need for continuity.

Representatives have 2 year terms

Presidents have 4 year terms

Senators have 6 year terms

Senators and Congressmen should have term limits too, it's silly that they have unlimited terms.

[Nessa 23]

i think every year we should vote to decide if we want the president to stay or not. and if people keep voting for him to stay, he can rule USA til the day he dies.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I say 30 days, and if the off topic nuts don't approve, you're out.

[Sc0tt28 26]

I say blow up the houses of parliament!

Oh, wait...

Good thing there is no "parliament" in the US then.

i think every year we should vote to decide if we want the president to stay or not. and if people keep voting for him to stay, he can rule USA til the day he dies.

I must say that I'm glad you didn't write the Constitution.

[Ban Hammer 14,569]

I must say that I'm glad you didn't write the Constitution.

me too, because then my wifey would be over 250 years old

[Dan J 277]

should we extend the first term to 6 years?

my thinking is that when the constitution was written, 4 years was a long time to get things done (gov't was a lot smaller), but these days, everything takes so much longer. i mean, a guy that kills 10 people at the mall and was witnessed by 50 people, the trial takes years these days so no wonder it takes so much time for ANY president to get major initiatives signed into law.

take health care as an example, maybe if obama had 6 years, he would have slowed the pace? with just 4 years, it isn't long until people see the president as a lame can't-get-anything-done president for he/she just might be leaving.

still keep the 8 year limit... reelection would extend first term just 2 years and there would be some sort of fast track election process so we save the huge costs associated with a full blown election (not sure how this would work... any out of the box ideas?).

I think the bigger problem is the 4 year campaign cycle.

[Nessa 23]

me too, because then my wifey would be over 250 years old

[spookyturtle 9,466]

me too, because then my wifey would be over 250 years old

And you're only 99. She must like younger men.