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lauraanne_gilmanread this:
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.
breakin' it down in detail
Unlikely, considering what's required, but just the thought leaves me feeling all sorts of unhappy, as it does every time someone tries this.
Personally I think the 22nd's a damn good idea. George Washington did, too -- in response to the thought that he become ruler-for-life, he is reported to have said: "What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror. From thinking proceeds speaking, thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous! What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal & fallacious!" In other words, 'what are you, nuts?'
(he also said: "If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." Somehow, I get the feeling that Washington would not have liked George W. Bush very much a'tall... but I digress)
Anyway. I think the 22nd's a pretty damn good idea. Did/do even when people I respect are in office. The thing that keeps us stable, government-wise, is the knowledge that no matter how bad it's gotten, the tides of change will come, eventually. Contol comes and goes, the players shuffle and form new alliances, and everyone's kept moderately honest just by having to watch their friends and allies as closely as their enemies..and remember to argue nicely with their enemies. Take that away, and people out of power begin to lose hope. Yes, there's still Congress... but the seed's been sown.
But what do I know? I'm only a citizen-voter.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.
breakin' it down in detail
Unlikely, considering what's required, but just the thought leaves me feeling all sorts of unhappy, as it does every time someone tries this.
Personally I think the 22nd's a damn good idea. George Washington did, too -- in response to the thought that he become ruler-for-life, he is reported to have said: "What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror. From thinking proceeds speaking, thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous! What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal & fallacious!" In other words, 'what are you, nuts?'
(he also said: "If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." Somehow, I get the feeling that Washington would not have liked George W. Bush very much a'tall... but I digress)
Anyway. I think the 22nd's a pretty damn good idea. Did/do even when people I respect are in office. The thing that keeps us stable, government-wise, is the knowledge that no matter how bad it's gotten, the tides of change will come, eventually. Contol comes and goes, the players shuffle and form new alliances, and everyone's kept moderately honest just by having to watch their friends and allies as closely as their enemies..and remember to argue nicely with their enemies. Take that away, and people out of power begin to lose hope. Yes, there's still Congress... but the seed's been sown.
But what do I know? I'm only a citizen-voter.
