[Scotsman]

As I contemplate the mess our country is in, and remember that the president has been limitted to two terms only since 1951, it occurs to me that congress got away with a power grab.

I think this because while the president is barred from serving more than two terms, there is no such limit on congress members. So while congress when passing 22nd ammendment ostensably was concerned that the incumbent president could consolidate to much power without being limitted, what about these congressmen serving into their 80's?

Given that congress has effectively restricted the office of the president so that the check and ballances our republic depends on are badly out of balance, it just seems to me if the president is going to be limitted to two terms, congress should also be limitted to two terms.

[Cheiron]

uh... I think I remember that was exactly a problem in the ancient Roman senate that is basis for your version of democracy. However .... the Romans went through many stages, back in the Roman republic even the thought of an emperor (or president) could cost you your head... however Ceasar broke the Republic and sorted out the senate mess (read congress) but my god, they had trouble with some emperors... at least your president can't act like Emperor Nero or Caligula or something... thank god for that (well Bush was close)... but the Senate in old Roma... oh boy oh boy... they messed up more than they did good (roman senate = american congress)

it's internal bickering and powerfights... and the Roman empire went down due to that... after ruling the known world at that time.


History knowledge is good for people... just as spinach is good for yer body

As to the question of timeframe for congress members/ president... well... I dunno... sometimes I think that timeframe for a government is too small for what they try to do... it is not easy running a big country ( you americans remember what your president Obama told you from day one: THIS WILL TAKE TIME AND WILL NOT BE EASY... most americans seems to forget that the man was honest from start). Maybe you should extend time frame for president and limit timeframe for congress some???

Anyway.... Plato said that a state (country) should be run by philosophers that are not paid.... Think about that, hehe

PS: But I agree totally with you Scotsman, and I hope you sort it out over there... as I hope we get a grip too...just my two cents to an interesting topic. ...
_________________
Cheiron
______________________________
"Any scientist with respect for himself should start
the day by rejecting his own pet hypotheses".
(Konrad Lorenz)

"Wir müssen wissen
Wir werden wissen"
(David Hilbert)