Thursday, May 27, 2010

Anti-Federalist Paper from the Centinel and Term Limits

I recently have had some conversations with friends about the corrupt nature of Congress. I suggested that perhaps term limits needs to be a rallying cry once again. Well, this evening I have been reading an anti-federalist paper originally printed in the Centinel.

This paragraph was of interest.
The senate, the great efficient body in this plan of government, is constituted on the most unequal principles. The smallest state in the union has equal weight with the great states of Virginia Massachusetts, or Pennsylvania_The Senate, besides its legislative functions, has a very considerable share in the Executive; none of the principal appointments to office can be made without its advice and consent. The term and mode of its appointment, will lead to permanency; the members are chosen for six years, the mode is under the control of Congress, and as there is no exclusion by rotation, they may be continued for life, which, from their extensive means of influence, would follow of course. The President, who would be a mere pageant of state, unless he coincides with the views of the Senate, would either become the head of the aristocratic junto in that body, or its minion, besides, their influence being the most predominant, could the best secure his re-election to office. And from his power of granting pardons, he might skreen from punishment the most treasonable attempts on liberties of the people, when instigated by the Senate. [emphasis mine]
Even most churches have rotation provisions for the elected officers. Why can't we do that for Congress?

1 comment:

Howard Fisher said...

This was originally written Oct 5, 1787. There truly is nothing new under the sun.