Whether or not Congress should have term limits has been a long debated question
that is proposed as an amendment to the qualifications clause of the
Constitution. There are excellent arguments on either side of the issue;
unconstitutionality versus limiting power and diversity versus seniority are
just a few. First are the arguments that term limits are democratic. The
advocates of this point of view believe that creating term limits would not only
add diversity to Congress, but also provide Congress members that are more
accountable and not as isolated from their constituents. On the other hand, the
arguments against term limits are equally notable. Those opposed to term limits
believe that “[they] are antidemocratic, restricting people’s electoral
choices,” and that they would not make the Congress members more accountable,
but, instead, “shift the focus of members of Congress even more in the
direction of local and immediate concerns.” There are good and bad points to
both sides of the argument. For instance, opposition of the term limits say
it’s unconstitutional, but we do have term limits on the presidency. Also,
advocates want to Congress members from staying in a long time. However, most
don’t stay in over twelve years anyway and if the current members in seniority
all leave who will be able to lead with enough wisdom and discernment? Either
way you go someone’s not going to be happy. If only we could be unhappy and
right, though.