jsnipy wrote:
I think a leaders longevity should be based on your performance and demonstrated ability to carry out your said goals.
...in other words, as long as you like said leader?
The varying term lengths were chosen for a reason. Sometimes, important laws may need to be passed that, while neccesary, are extremely unpopular at the time. Long terms were created in the hopes that the officials elected could resist public pressure in order to pass what they felt was right. Short terms, such as the House of Representatives, was designed to bring "the will of the people" (so to speak) into the goverment. Since they are up for elections so often, they cannot afford to get jaded and alienate thier voting base.
The two term (8 year) limit for Presidents was decided upon after the loss of FDR. He had been president for so long that the goverment depended upon him. The goverment was thrown into such turmoil at his death (sorry, Truman), that the 22nd ammendment was passed to limit the length a president can serve, and therefore limit just how attached (or addicted) to a single popular president the public can get. It also has the added effect that if anyone COULD rig an election to try to stay in office, that they would still be limited. It would be most difficult to find a way to stay in power longer without coming right out and trashing the Constitution.
In America, we are more worried about a tyrant than a useless president. Our goverment was designed to be pretty ineffectual, since it was decided way back in the 1780's that the states would wield most of the real power. THat went up in smoke after the Civil War. Still, I would rather have someone sit in the white house and play solitare for 8 years over someone who wants to "change the world." When will people realize that the President of the United States has as their lone and sole responsibility, the care and keeping of the United States of America. He or she is not responsible for "changing the world," "ending world hunger," "promote world peace," except in how those events would impact the US. Global economy or not,
the leaders of the United States MUST place the welfare of the United States above the entire rest of the world.But since we do not trust our goverment, we will hamper thier efforts at every turn. Even if that means kicking them out too soon.