Politico
Bill Maher: How about just one, six-year presidential term?
Liberal comic Bill Maher wants to have a one-term limit for the president, but extend the term to six years from four years. …
“Everybody agrees they have maybe two years to get anything accomplished, and then people stop returning their calls,” Maher blogged, adding later: “This is why there are so many second-term scandals: boredom.”
He continued: “Why not give presidents one six-year term where they don’t have to worry about re-election or raising money or anything but trying to pass the test of history? Especially since they really only have six years anyway, and then the next election starts.”
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Just on principle, I reject everything Maher has to say.
Othniel on February 14, 2013 at 4:43 PM
Yeah, that’s a great idea, William. Let’s make every President a lame duck in his first term.
Doughboy on February 14, 2013 at 4:45 PM
I actually like this…
But we should keep it mind that his logic is that this way a socialist president can get in, and do whatever he wants without worrying.
Double-edged sword, really.
ebrawer on February 14, 2013 at 4:46 PM
No.
Blake on February 14, 2013 at 4:47 PM
I’ve heard worse ideas. So since we are amending the Constitution, let’s limit being in the Senate to one six year term and the House for six years max.
lowandslow on February 14, 2013 at 4:48 PM
How about 4 year term limits on ALL elected representatives?
nazo311 on February 14, 2013 at 4:48 PM
I actually like this idea. I’ve been saying this for years.
I wonder what this says about me?
BigGator5 on February 14, 2013 at 4:49 PM
Hey dummy, maybe you should have cancelled your moronic show after 6 years.
Thomas More on February 14, 2013 at 4:50 PM
Hey, Bill Maher: Why don’t you shut the F#@!up?
Opposite Day on February 14, 2013 at 4:50 PM
Term limits are pointless, you’ll end up with a rotating office circus like in the Roman republic. It would also reinforce party control.
ebrawer on February 14, 2013 at 4:51 PM
Meh. This idea pops up every few years. I’ve been hearing it since the Carter years.
rbj on February 14, 2013 at 4:55 PM
Maybe this walking-talking phallus should spend a little time reading the Federalist Papers instead of…
Whatever else it is he does before opening his pie hole.
The answer lies there.
Idiot.
turfmann on February 14, 2013 at 4:56 PM
That was the confederacy that had that.
rob verdi on February 14, 2013 at 4:56 PM
Can we at least be reasonable?
If I had it my way, the one six-year term Presidential term, six two-year term at the House, and two six-year term in the Senate.
BigGator5 on February 14, 2013 at 4:57 PM
So, Bill Mahr supports the Confederate States Constitution?
Cool.
Warner Todd Huston on February 14, 2013 at 4:59 PM
No, that is a bad idea because, like our Founding Fathers, at least some of the American people understand that in the political affairs of men, sometimes 4>6.
Christien on February 14, 2013 at 4:59 PM
How about all TV commentators have to leave TV, journalism and the public eye after 6 years?
albill on February 14, 2013 at 5:03 PM
Downside to this idea is that it can’t be applied retroactively… This isn’t an easy way to get us 2 less years of Obozo.
Besides, I don’t want a Democrat that doesn’t have to worry about anything other than “passing the test of history.” Obama’s problem isn’t that he’s too focused on the campaign, or even that he’s too incompetent. It’s that when he sets his mind to something, it is invariably something to destroy the country.
Allow 4 year terms, 6 year terms, multiple terms, Putinesque nonconsecutive switcheroos, whatever… the problem isn’t the term limits; its that we need to root out the Communists.
Gingotts on February 14, 2013 at 5:06 PM
It’s gratifying to now our country’s great thinkers- that is it’s clowns/celebrities -are putting forth their theories of government.
.
How about Honey Boo Boo’s thoughts on trends in central banking?
Dr. Carlo Lombardi on February 14, 2013 at 5:09 PM
broken clocks…?
mjbrooks3 on February 14, 2013 at 5:10 PM
i can’t stand him but i actually like this idea XD he’s right in that if you get elected the first time, you have to start campaigning again in the middle of your four-year term- it’s kinda silly.
and think about it. if this idea had already been in place, obama would be out of office two years from now instead of four…
Sachiko on February 14, 2013 at 5:12 PM
Lol! Idiot.
Bmore on February 14, 2013 at 5:12 PM
No. You’ll end up with nothing but stealth candidates who say one thing to get elected and do something completely different. They’re never accountable to anyone at any time, not even to those who voted *for* them.
Missy on February 14, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Two terms. One in office, one in prison.
I thought term limits might be a good idea until I realized that they would have one term to stuff their pockets with tax and lobby money and line up high paying jobs on the fringe of government.
Doing anything for the good of the nation wouldn’t show up on the radar.
countrybumpkin on February 14, 2013 at 5:18 PM
Well, if we’re going to give illegals amnesty why not just go full Mexico?
Mark1971 on February 14, 2013 at 5:21 PM
Better yet, lets go Euro and have a Vote of confidence anytime at all?
Fleuries on February 14, 2013 at 5:23 PM
Maher is a vile piece of work but this is not a wacky or new idea.
it addresses some problem but may ignite new ones, so I wonder if the effort required to repeal/replace a constitutional amendment is worth it.
Id say the answer lies closer to having a far bigger & more alert, discerning electorate vs what we have today, so probably not happening.
Sacramento on February 14, 2013 at 5:31 PM
A: Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Philippines
Q: Which countries have a single, six-year presidential term?
Shall we make it four, instead?
Christien on February 14, 2013 at 5:37 PM
This jerk is so stupid. We all know how he thinks and what his opinions are. Why do you waste space giving him attention? His political brothers give YOU NO space!
Old Country Boy on February 14, 2013 at 5:52 PM
There is a reason why Representatives in Congress are elected directly for a two year term, Senators (formerly by state senates) for six, Presidents by Electoral College for four and Justices of the Supreme Court nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a lifetime term.
Naturally, the fact that we have screwed around with the system that was set up only guarantees that we are dissatisfied with the performance of our government.
turfmann on February 14, 2013 at 5:58 PM
What a worthless POS Bill Maher is. Truly. What the hell did his mommy do to him as a child? Or maybe it was his daddy…
cicerone on February 14, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Bill Maher’s opinions have no more news value than mine. It must be a sparse news day for Politico.
flataffect on February 14, 2013 at 7:12 PM