by Rod Williams - There is a bill introduced in the Tennessee House that makes application to Congress to call an Article V convention to propose an amendment to the U. S. Constitution setting term limits for members of Congress. This is something that some on the right brings up from time to time. I oppose both and Article V convention and term limits for Congress.
My primary objection to term limits is that it would empower and strengthen the bureaucracy at the expense of the voice of the people. We already have a problem with unelected bureaucrats having too much power. I wish we had a smaller government with less authority, but that is not the reality. For any member of Congress to become an expert on all of federal governance is simply too much to expect. For new congressmen there is a demanding steep learning curve.
The staff on an agency of government who understands all of the nuances of a policy can "snow" a new member of congress. We need members of congress who have institutional knowledge and know how policies came about and why things are done the way they are done. Fewer members of Congress with time on the job means a greater reliance on bureaucrats and a greater reliance on lobbyist. Also, where tried, as an example at the local level with our own Metro Council, I do not think term limits has resulted in better governance.
The below analysis and suggested reading on this topic come from Tennessee Eagle Forum. Many of you may know Bobbie Patra the long-term president of the organization. Tennessee Eagle Forum is a source I look to for trusted information and analysis of what is going on in the State legislature. They are an organization deserving of one's support. To subscribe to the Tennessee Eagle Forum newsletter or make a contribution follow this link.
ARTICLE V CONVENTION FOR TERM LIMITS:
HJR 0008 by *Todd , Eldridge, Mannis, Garrett, Zachary, Doggett, Calfee, Williams, Ogles, Bricken, Hurt
Constitutional Conventions - Makes application to Congress for the purpose of calling an Article V convention to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution to set a limit on the number of terms to which a person may be elected as a member of the Congress of the United States.
Looking around at the world in which we are living today, this sounds like a great idea. But.....an Article V convention is completely uncharted territory and there really are important things to know about:
THREE CONSIDERATIONS:
1. In today’s political climate, with the way this election cycle played out, with Sen, Chuck Schumer and Cong. Nancy Pelosi in charge of the US Senate and the US House and the main stream media being their allies, do we really think it is a good idea for Congress to ‘call’ for a Constitutional Convention and think they can be controlled beyond what they want to see happen???
2. Problems with calling an Article V Constitutional Convention
3. Problems with Term Limits - we have Term Limits - they are called elections, every two, four and six years.
Eagle Forum has long opposed taking this risky action in spite of the assurances that everything would be all right - that is speculation since we have never had one since the convention to amend the Articles of Confederation. This is a very important subject with significant consequences. Please look at the articles linked below to learn the details.States Likely Could Not Control Constitutional Convention on Balanced Budget Amendment or Other Issues
Don’t Be Fooled by Article V Conventions
TWENTY QUESTIONS ABOUT A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
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