Chapter 4

 

The Urgent Need for Term Limits: Breaking the Cycle of Stagnation, Entrenchment, and Career Politics in American Government

 

In a republic founded on the principles of citizen governance and periodic renewal, the United States has drifted far from its ideals. Today, elected officials and appointees often cling to power for decades, supported by entrenched party machines, special interests, and a system that rewards longevity over innovation. The 2-party system went from noble representation to that governmental oligarchy we all fear. In the dread of Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and Madison, we have created a “Tyrannical Republic”. This stagnation breeds inefficiency, corruption, and a disconnect from the American people, making term limits not just a reform but an essential reset. By capping service in key positions—such as the presidency, Congress, the judiciary, and executive roles—we can eliminate career politicians, inject fresh perspectives, and restore a government that truly serves its citizens rather than perpetuating a self-serving elite.

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The core problem is the indefinite tenure that allows officials to become “embedded” in their roles, insulated from accountability. Career politicians, backed by party apparatuses and donor networks, prioritize re-election over bold action, leading to legislative gridlock and policy inertia. For instance, the average tenure in Congress has ballooned, with many members serving 20-30 years or more, fostering a culture where incumbents win over 90% of races due to name recognition and fundraising advantages. This entrenches stagnation: long-serving lawmakers become beholden to lobbyists and special interests, trading favors for campaign support and sidelining the needs of everyday Americans. Term limits would shatter this cycle by forcing turnover, ensuring representatives remain responsive to constituents rather than distant power brokers.

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Public support for term limits is overwhelming, reflecting widespread frustration with this status quo. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that 87% of Americans favor limiting congressional terms, with strong bipartisan backing (90% of Republicans and 86% of Democrats). This isn’t partisan—it’s a democratic imperative. Without limits, parties prop up indefinite officeholders, turning public service into a lifelong profession. Careerism erodes trust: approval ratings for Congress hover around 20%, as voters see officials more focused on personal gain than national progress. Term limits would bring in leaders with real-world expertise—from business, science, education, and community activism—rather than professional politicians who have never held a job outside Washington.

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The judiciary exemplifies this need. Lifetime appointments for Supreme Court justices and federal judges, intended to insulate them from politics, have instead created unaccountable power. It could be argued that it establishes an oligarchy. Justices serve an average of 28 years, with some exceeding 30, raising concerns about mental decline, strategic retirements, and ideological entrenchment. Recent ethics scandals and polarizing decisions have plummeted public trust in the Court to historic lows, with only 40% approval in recent polls. A 15-year term would introduce regular turnover, bringing fresh ideas, reducing confirmation battles, and enhancing democratic accountability without undermining independence. Unlike lifetime tenure, which sets the U.S. apart from nearly every other democracy and all but one state court system, term limits align with global norms while preserving judicial integrity.

For the executive branch, uncapped service in high-level roles fosters bureaucratic inertia and cronyism. Senior officials can embed for decades, remain resistant to change, and be insulated from oversight. A 20-year cap would prevent this, promoting innovation and merit-based advancement.

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Critics argue that term limits could disrupt stability, reduce expertise, or make institutions more political. Yet, evidence from states with limits shows fresher legislatures are more dynamic and less corrupt, with no loss in effectiveness. The Founders envisioned citizen-servants, not perpetual rulers—term limits honor that vision by ensuring power rotates, preventing dynasties, and revitalizing democracy.

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 In 2026, amid fiscal crises, polarization, and declining faith in institutions, term limits are a nonpartisan solution to reclaim government for the people. They eliminate the stranglehold of career politicians, combat stagnation, and ensure officials serve with urgency, knowing their time is finite.

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The Judicial and Legislative Accountability -

Federal Term Limits Amendment Act

 

JOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to establish term limits for certain Federal offices and positions.

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Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:

 

ARTICLE --

Section 1. Presidential Term Limits.

No person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of President more than once. This section reaffirms and incorporates the provisions of the 22nd Amendment but shall not preclude service in other branches of government.

 

Section 2. Congressional Term Limits.

No person shall be elected to the office of Senator for more than two six-year terms. No person shall be elected to the office of Representative for more than three 3-year terms. Service in one chamber shall not count toward limits in the other chamber, and these limits shall not preclude service in other branches of government.

 

Section 3. Judicial Term Limits.

Justices of the Supreme Court shall serve a single term of 15 years from the date of confirmation, after which they may serve on lower Federal courts if appointed or elected. All other Article III Federal judges shall serve a single term of 15 years from the date of confirmation, after which they may be reappointed or serve in other judicial capacities as provided by law. These limits shall not preclude service in other branches of government.

 

Section 4. Executive Branch Term Limits.

No person shall serve in any Senate-confirmed executive branch position, including Cabinet secretaries, agency heads, and senior executive service roles, for more than 20 years in aggregate across all such positions. This limit shall not apply to career civil service employees below Senate-confirmed levels and shall not preclude service in other branches of government.

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Section 5. Application and Transition.

The term limits established by this article shall apply prospectively and shall not affect the terms of individuals serving at the time of ratification. Partial terms exceeding half the full term length shall count as a full term for purposes of these limits. Congress may enact legislation to implement this article, including provisions for staggered implementation in the judiciary to maintain continuity.

 

Section 6. Compensation 

• (a) Minimum Service Requirements for Vesting. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no Member of the House of Representatives, the Senate, or the President of the United States shall be eligible for a federal retirement annuity or employer-sponsored benefit package until they have completed a minimum of eight (8) years of creditable federal service.

• (b) Benefit Calculation Tiers. The retirement benefit for an eligible individual under this section shall be calculated based on the following schedule of completed years of service:

  • Tier 1 (8 Years): Upon completion of 8 years of service, the individual shall be entitled to 25 percent of the maximum allowable benefit package.

  • Tier 2 (15 Years): Upon completion of 15 years of service, the individual shall be entitled to 50 percent of the maximum allowable benefit package.

  • Tier 3 (20 Years): Upon completion of 20 years of service, the individual shall be entitled to 75 percent of the maximum allowable benefit package.

  • Private Sector Parity: In no instance shall the total government-funded portion of the retirement package exceed the median value of defined-benefit or defined-contribution plans offered by the top 500 private-sector employers (S&P 500) as audited annually by the Department of Labor.

  • No elected or appointed official shall not be exempt from any other laws, e.g., Social Security, Medicare, etc.

• (c) Cumulative Service and Reciprocity. Years of service for the purposes of this Section shall be cumulative across all federal elected offices. Service in the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Executive Branch (President and Vice President) shall be aggregated to determine the applicable Tier under subsection (b).

• (d) Term Limit Interaction. The application of term limits to a specific office shall not preclude an individual from reaching higher benefit tiers through service in a different federal elected office, provided the total years of service meet the requirements set forth in this Section.