Term Limits Quotes

• Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Eye, Men, Office

  Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.25, Modern Library

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• As a lobbyist, I was completely against term limits, and I know a lot of people are against term limits, and I was one of the leaders, because why? As a lobbyist, once you buy a congressional office, you don't have to re-buy that office in six years, right?

  Jack Abramoff

  Years, People, Office

  "Former lobbyist Jack Abramoff". "The Tavis Smiley show", www.pbs.org. April 4, 2012.

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• After a time, civil servants tend to become no longer servants and no longer civil.

  Winston Churchill

  Political, Politics, Servant

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• I can see both sides of term limits, and I think, in different positions, term limits make more sense than in some others.

  Caroline Kennedy

  Thinking, Different, Sides

  Interview with Maggie Haberman, nypost.com. December 28, 2008.

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• I didn't want to make it a lifetime thing. I don't believe in statutory term limits, but people can limit themselves if they want to, and that's what I decided to do.

  George J. Mitchell

  Believe, People, Want

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• You know, you look at term limits, you poll term limits, 70, 80 percent of Republicans or Democrats are for it.

  Rand Paul

  Looks, Republican, Polls

  "Rand Paul on 'Tea Party Tidal Wave'". Interview with Neil Cavuto, www.foxnews.com. May 11, 2010.

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• I fundamentally believe in term limits, for Congress, presidents, and board members.

  Jim Breyer

  Believe, President, Boards

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• I think we want to see new voices and new ideas emerge - that's part of the reason why term limits are a really useful thing.

  Barack Obama

  Thinking, Ideas, Voice

  "Report: Obama Holds First News Conference Since Election". "CNN Newsroom", www.cnn.com. November 14, 2016.

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• My reason for fixing them in office for a term of years, rather than for life, was that they might have an idea that they were at a certain period to return into the mass of the people and become the governed instead of the governors which might still keep alive that regard to the public good that otherwise they might perhaps be induced by their independence to forget.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Years, Ideas, People

  Thomas Jefferson (1977). “The Portable Thomas Jefferson”, p.277, Penguin

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• I apprehend... that the total abandonment of the principle of rotation in the offices of President and Senator will end in abuse.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Office, Political, Abuse

  Thomas Jefferson, Jerry Holmes (2002). “Thomas Jefferson: A Chronology of His Thoughts”, p.101, Rowman & Littlefield

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• I still believe that term limits is the best way to ensure that the next generation, not the next election, is the central concern in our elected bodies.

  Tom Coburn

  Believe, Political, Limits

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• Term limits would cure both senility and seniority- both terrible legislative diseases.

  Harry S. Truman

  Political, Disease, Politics

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• If congress refuses to obey its own rules. If congress refuses to pass a balanced budget. If congress refuses to read the Bills. Then I say, sweep the place clean, limit their terms, and send them HOME!

  Rand Paul

  Home, Government, Bills

  FaceBook post by Rand Paul from Feb 13, 2013

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• The longer a politician bears power, the more he is controlled by that power.

  Tom Coburn

  Political, Politics, Bears

  Senator Tom Coburn, John Hart (2013). “Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders”, p.213, Thomas Nelson Inc

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• Asking an incumbent member of Congress to vote for term limits is a bit like asking a chicken to vote for Colonel Sanders.

  Bob Inglis

  Funny, Humor, Asking

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• The security intended to the general liberty consists in the frequent election and in the rotation of the members of Congress.

  James Madison

  Political, Liberty, Politics

  Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1864). “The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States”, p.116

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• Those gentlemen, who will be elected senators, will fix themselves in the federal town, and become citizens of that town more than of your state.

  George Mason

  Political, Voting, Gentleman

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• A constitutional amendment for congressional term limits could never achieve the blessing of Congress; it could be initiated only by the states.

  Dwight D. Eisenhower

  Blessing, Political, Politics

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• Statesmen exhibit five key commitments: 1) A commitment to principles above politics; 2) An ability to compromise without abandoning principle; 3) A commitment to truth over spin; 4) A commitment to courage over cowardice; and 5) A commitment, or willingness, to give up power.

  Tom Coburn

  Giving Up, Commitment, Keys

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• Careerism: the self-centered philosophy of governing to win the next election above all else.

  Tom Coburn

  Philosophy, Winning, Self

  Senator Tom Coburn, John Hart (2013). “Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders”, p.19, Thomas Nelson Inc

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• Term limits mean that you don't trust the voters. 'Stop me before I vote again.'

  Garry Wills

  Mean, Democracy, Voters

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• Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Trust, Kings, Angel

  Thomas Jefferson, Richard Holland Johnston, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association of the United States “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson”

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• Those who have been intoxicated with power... can never willingly abandon it.

  Edmund Burke

  Power, Political, Politics

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• Under my contract with the American voter, we are proposing a series of ethics reforms on day one to end government corruption. They include a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on all members of Congress.

  Donald Trump

  Government, American Voters, Reform

  "Donald Trump’s campaign has become one big airing of grievances". www.washingtonpost.com. October 27, 2016.

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• The career politicians in Washington had transformed a government "for the people" into a government for themselves and for special interests.

  Tom Coburn

  Careers, Government, People

  Senator Tom Coburn, John Hart (2013). “Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders”, p.21, Thomas Nelson

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