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(46,373 posts)Very ageist.
AND...
George Washington was the first government cheater.
He said to congress in his first term, he didn't want a salary, just expenses.
His expenses were 10 times what his salary would have been.
He tried that again in his second term, congress said no, he gets a salary.
His expenses dropped considerably.
greiner3
(5,214 posts)Concerning the finances of Washington's expensive account.
However, since Maher's comment was about Washington's self imposed two term limit, I need to comment on this aspect.
Washington was asked by several power brokers that he declare himself a de facto Monarch.
This was when, I would imagine, Washington decided that a term limit was in the best interest of America; that and he longed for Martha, Mount Vernon and the slaves which kept the plantation going.
Well, nobody is perfect...
BeyondGeography
(39,393 posts)telling Cory Booker he was showing a lack of respect by considering a Senate run. Are these people Kings? When you're an out-of-control asshole, you're an out-of-control asshole.
Archae
(46,373 posts)Just look at the GOP.
BeyondGeography
(39,393 posts)It's sad how long these people can hold on, however. Big money concentrated in a few places does clog the government's arteries, to strain a metaphor. Of course, Maher is a comedian and the sight of these very aged people going out feet first has comedic value, but his main point is incumbents are ridiculously secure in power.
Archae
(46,373 posts)Or older senators like Ted Kennedy?
Nitram
(22,951 posts)His point isn't that older people can't function, it is that our gerrymandered system guarantees them lifetime tenure even if they can't function. He is right.
Archae
(46,373 posts)I see that in our own state (WI) legislature.
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)the fuzzy thinking, the wrong motivations.
Imagine if there were term limits for Congress
and we had a constant refreshing of the whole
system. It would keep itself much cleaner and
more efficient, because they wouldn't spend
their terms negotiating for down-the-road perks.
Archae
(46,373 posts)It just sets up behind the scenes power brokers, who decide who will run next.
It also sets an artificial, arbitrary limit on who can serve for how long, no matter if they are doing a good job or not.
I think the biggest thing that would affect change is campaign money reform.
*REAL* reform.
The fact that both Obama and Romney together spent almost $2 *BILLION* on their campaigns in 2012 tells me something is very wrong there.
Even the amounts of campaign money for "minor" offices is out of control.