Trump 4 Spanking

[Michael]

At the risk of allowing this thread to careen even more off-tooic, I would love it if we could change the term of office for the presidency. Currently, a president elected to a full term serves 4 years, and may run for reelection once.

Invariably, a first term president really only commits fully to his (or her) job for 2.5 years, before they begin to spend a wildly significant amout of their time, effort, and even public resources on their reelection campaign.

As the incumbent, they already have a significant advantage over any opponent (as evidenced by the fact that most presidents win reelection). By the time year 6 rolls around in their double-term in office, most Americans are itching to get rid of them - regardless of who they are. It's extremely rare for a president to have a higher approval rating during their 2nd term than they had in their 1st.

Solution? Make the presidential term a period of 6 years with no reelection. "Good" presidents will have a full 6 years to make the biggest mark possible during their time in office - and they can be fully dedicated to the job without having to work "part time" during their reelection campaign. "Bad" presidents (most of whom will win reelection anyway due to their incumbency advantage) would have 2 less years to screw things up even worse.

[Vikinggene]

I like that idea, Michael. It's not the first I've heard of it either. The only thing to add, is we'd have to change others as well. Especially senators. I wouldn't want massive elections across offices. I like the rotation of Senators it gives continuity to a state. Perhaps congess 4 years and senators 8. They all spend too much time getting re-elected.

[Robert L2]

I'm less favorable on that idea. Mexico had a system like that and the end result was once they got elected they didn't care about their constituents and just tried to enrich themselves -- there was no incentive to perform. Re-election is that incentive.

I like that idea, Michael. It's not the first I've heard of it either. The only thing to add, is we'd have to change others as well. Especially senators. I wouldn't want massive elections across offices. I like the rotation of Senators it gives continuity to a state. Perhaps congess 4 years and senators 8. They all spend too much time getting re-elected.

[Michael]

I think the average president's primary objective from their first day in office is to be reelected. It's shameful that they basically take almost two years off to campaign - and using tax dollars to do so.

[Garth]

In Canada if I recall correctly our election took about 6 weeks.

[Anymouse]

True, but that is also because of the less crowded primary field, multiparty system. Here in the US the winner take all majority system means that each party must winnow through 2-16 candidates to choose the two worst. That takes a lot of time, including many horrifying intrusions of awful web/image board "culture" and folk music.

[Michael]

True, but that is also because of the less crowded primary field, multiparty system. Here in the US the winner take all majority system means that each party must winnow through 2-16 candidates to choose the two worst. That takes a lot of time, including many horrifying intrusions of awful web/image board "culture" and folk music.

HAHAHA thanks for the morning giggle, Anymouse.

"...choose the two worst."
This has never been more true than it is this year...

[John Boy]

What is sad for me is the fact that like most I don't like either one. Trump also seems to be giving Republicans a bad name at times. I have people on both sides of the fence and I just want all the election nonsense to be over.

[Vikinggene]

John Boy, I've stopped watching the news (except for my MHz channel) most of it is name calling and accusations by all sides. In seven weeks, I shall decide when I pick up my ballot. I like many, if not most, will have to choose, which I consider the less of two evils.

I fear the election will be very close and the new President will take office with fully half of the country hating his/her guts. There might even be legal challenges, due to the bitter accusations. There is a plethora of terms dominating the airwaves.

Deplorable, corrupt, liars, rigged, traitors, killer, bigot, racists, Nazis, fill in the blank phobes. There will be conspiracy theories about the legitimacy, of whoever wins, that will plague the new administration, imo.

My sister's door has this sign. "If someone is trying to find me, I'll be at the barn, from 1pm until 2017.

[Garth]

It is sad that you have to choose between the lesser of two evils. Hopefully you get the one that is less evil because I hate to think what is going to happen over the next four years.