Term Limiting Penalties

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TPRJones
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Post by TPRJones »

So, I don't like regular term limits. They seem too arbitrary. I would prefer something more flexible, and I had an idea: term vote penalties.

For each term in a particular office, next time a politician runs for that office they get a set penalty in percentage of votes. So, after one term, they get 1% of their votes deducted in the counting. After two terms it's 2%. Then 4%, then 8%, then 16%, then 32%, 64%, 128% ... so in the end they can't hold the office more than eight terms because all their votes are deducted. And to hold it that eighth term they'll have a hell of a time getting elected because 64% of their votes are deducted.

That would let voters keep in the ones they really like a lot for quite awhile if so inclined. But they longer they are in the easier they become to beat.

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Malcolm
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Post by Malcolm »

I'll go flexible. I'm not sure I'm like your geometric progression magic numbers, though.
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TPRJones
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Post by TPRJones »

Yeah, there could certainly be a cleaner way to do it. It's still somewhat arbitrary. But I think the basic concept is sound.
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Leisher
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Post by Leisher »

Why not simple term limits?

The president can only be elected twice, why not every other office as well?

You get two terms as mayor, state rep, congressman, judges, president, etc.

Ditto for appointed offices.
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TPRJones
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Post by TPRJones »

Sometimes you get someone who is actually does a very good honest job in a political position. That's really rare, so why kick them out if they are that great? You're pretty much guaranteed that the next guy is going to be dishonest or shitty, because so many of them are.

Why two terms? Why not three? Why not only one? Two is arbitrary, and applying it to everyone equally doesn't seem to be ideal. I'd rather see a method to still allow the voters to have the guy they want, but make it harder so they really have to want him to keep him.
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Malcolm
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Post by Malcolm »

If the public really does want one particular motherfucker in charge for twenty years or whatever, then let them. Simply staying in office long enough should probably piss off enough people to kill your voter base.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
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