Mastodawn

Qasim Rashid, Esq.

Wow. Rep Ro Khanna to intro major bill to increase congressional & judicial accountability:
•12 year Congress term limit
•18 year SCOTUS term limit
•Judicial code of ethics
•Ban Congress from trading stocks
•Ban Corporate & PAC donations

Count me in!
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/ro-khanna-unveils-blueprint-term-limits-stock-trading-ban

Ro Khanna unveils political reform blueprint with term limits and stock trading ban

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) is set to unveil a plan intended to reform Congress and the federal government that includes a number of proposals that have garnered bipartisan support in recent months, such as the implementation of term limits and a ban on stock trading for lawmakers.

Washington Examiner

Allan Chow Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid is there a spouse loophole

Qasim Rashid, Esq.Oct 5, 2023

@grumpasaurus I'm not sure. Great question. I believe they're still crafting the bill so now would be a great time to let them know about closing loopholes

KanaMauna Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid @grumpasaurus I’m sure Ro will include one for his spouse. That’s how he got there.

Hawkmoon Oct 8, 2023

@grumpasaurus @QasimRashid

It can't just be a spouse loophole.

It has to extend to anybody you know.

Otherwise, the spouse ban just means you bump it to other members of the family. A family ban means it gets moved to friends.

What I don't get is that we have laws against insider trading. Why do they not apply to Congress already?

Allan Chow Oct 8, 2023

@Hawkmoon @QasimRashid honestly I think it's due to lack of enforcement and thus, precedent.

Hawkmoon Oct 8, 2023

@grumpasaurus @QasimRashid

Does not enforcing it establish precedent? I thought you needed a court case and a ruling to have a precedent.

Allan Chow Oct 8, 2023

@Hawkmoon @QasimRashid sorry what I mean is precedent in a more colloquial situation where nobody has the balls to do anything.

Effectively how trump has been going through his whole life pointing at established institutions going "what are YOU gonna do about it!? Yeah. I thought so."

Allan Chow Oct 8, 2023

@Hawkmoon @QasimRashid "I'm pretty sure what you're doing is illegal."

"Yeah? How are you going to prove it? Subpoena me?"

Nothing happens

"I'm not doing anything illegal."

anubis2814 Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid The congress bill is probably constitutional but does congress have the power to impose term limits on the supreme court? I'm here for it if they can.

スパックマンクリス Oct 5, 2023

@anubis2814 @QasimRashid

IANAL, but Congress makes the laws - so unless the length of SC terms is specified in the Constitution (or a later amendment), I think Congress has authority to set them.

They also fund the court and they can increase the size of the court (that is, add more justices). So, doable, I think.

But, again, IANAL. I don't even play one on TV.

Peter G Oct 6, 2023

@chris_spackman that's an unfortunate abbreviation...

LibertyForward1 Oct 6, 2023

@peterg75 @chris_spackman Don't knock it til you try it

Peter G Oct 6, 2023

@LibertyForward1 LOL.

スパックマンクリス Oct 6, 2023

True, but it has been around since the beginning of the internet (and maybe longer?).

So, I'm used to it. I haven't noticed that part in years.

Hawkmoon Oct 8, 2023

@chris_spackman @anubis2814 @QasimRashid

I think it's a check and balance.

Brent, in a jar Oct 5, 2023

@anubis2814 My understanding is that yes, Congress absolutely is given this sort of authority over the Court. I know Congress controls the number of seats
@QasimRashid

Brent, in a jar Oct 5, 2023

@anubis2814 Although after reading the thread it appears I'm out voted two to one on if court term limits would be allowed. Off to read some Articles @QasimRashid

Brent, in a jar Oct 5, 2023

@anubis2814 Alrighty, seems like there is nothing definite in Article III on this, but here's a great article from the Brennan Center...
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/supreme-court-term-limits
Specifically, about halfway down, the section on "The Constitutionality of Implementation by Statute"
@QasimRashid

Supreme Court Term Limits

Staggered 18-year terms would bring regular turnover to the bench. The result would be a Court that better reflects prevailing public values.

Brennan Center for Justice

Ryan2one3 Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid LOL ....and it's been shut down.

Gatekeeper..Oct 5, 2023

I'm sorry ,18 years is 5 presidential terms , fuck no 12 for Court judges is plenty..

BoredomFestival Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid I'd be in favor but term limits for SCOTUS is definitely outside of Congress power under the Constitution

Brent, in a jar Oct 5, 2023

@BoredomFestival
It seems like Article III is not very clear on this. I've got a link to a Brennan Center for Justice article that describes why in a previous comment...
https://mastodon.coffee/@BrentInMasto/111184617776808785

I'd really like to find out if there actually is a definite answer, so please share if you know of one
@QasimRashid

Brent, in a jar (@[email protected])

@[email protected] Alrighty, seems like there is nothing definite in Article III on this, but here's a great article from the Brennan Center... https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/supreme-court-term-limits Specifically, about halfway down, the section on "The Constitutionality of Implementation by Statute" @[email protected]

Mastodon ☕

ferricoxide Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid

When it comes to Congress, I'd be fine with two terms served and having a full-term "break" reset the clock. They're not meant to be lifetime gigs, and on-term break would at least potentially put the person back "in the real world" to better ground them in what's going on in that world.

ajkandy Oct 5, 2023

@ferricoxide @QasimRashid yeah but then you potentially end up with revolving door politics where reps/senators vote on industries they just left, or join lobbying firms (which should be banned), unless there’s really strong oversight which forces them to recuse, prohibits working in related fields etc - we don’t want regulatory capture.

Artemis13Athena Oct 6, 2023

@ajkandy @ferricoxide
@QasimRashid It's a fine line between having people who understand those businesses yet aren't beholden to them. Especially true when setting up committees. You need people who understand how they work but you don't want people that still have ties.

Rocky 💜💙Oct 5, 2023

Now that's progressive! Of course we all know that the toads in Washington won't go for it.

SleightWryder Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid I can get behind that, though a lifetime term with probation by the IRS and FBI would work for the Supreme court as well.

Holding that much power can be offset with constant probes into your interests and activities as well as affiliations.

Alpine Joe Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid I don't like one part of this "blueprint." US Representatives have to go before their voters every two years, so term limiting them will do nothing for accountability.

California instituted term limits on their legislators in 1990, and it was a fail. Arguably, it empowered lobbyists even more, while doing nothing to stop money in politics and so-called "career politicians."

Brent, in a jar Oct 5, 2023

@alpinejoe Thank you for this! I'm in favor of everything on the list _except_ the congressional term limits. It is a complex system and takes time to learn the ins and outs. This would give lobbyists more power as they'd be the only ones that know how the system works. Hell, lobbyist write a lot of legislation already, let's not make it worse
@QasimRashid

Brent, in a jar Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid Huge NO to congressional term limits from me. Is a sure path to lobbyist capture and undermines democracy. Unlike lifetime judge appointments, the voters can remove an elected official.
All the rest of these are great ideas though!

A L Katz Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid Yes, yes, a kajllion times "YES!!!"

arctos Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid Seems reasonable and a good start. Unlikely either party would accept these terms.

Doug Baker - Elbows Up! 🇨🇦Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid Max age, too- how about 75?

@QasimRashid This is an amazing bill. It'll never happen though.

Aaron Moshiashwili Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid everything except the Senate term limits. Probably unconstitutional and even if not, it simply means aides get more powerful.

bubbajet Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid @lisamelton Tough row to hoe, but it’s the right direction. I like it.

Patrick Oct 5, 2023

@QasimRashid how do term limits help with accountability?

Petesmom *has moved*Oct 6, 2023

@QasimRashid
Call your Reps and ask them to cosign/sponsor!!!

ProtectiveHen Oct 6, 2023

@QasimRashid I personally respect experience and wisdom and don't see how a Congressional term limit would help right now - could just create a revolving door of performative RWNJs. Pelosi has been a genius and I'm glad we had her.

SilvertipGrizz Oct 6, 2023

@QasimRashid Rock on!

The Mayor Oct 6, 2023

@QasimRashid I think proposing an 18 year limit as part of an anti-corruption package is disgusting. The only reason for a judge to serve on the Supreme Court for that long is to make good on an investment. It certainly doesn't make the bench better: so this isn't an anti-corruption measure as much as it is a codification of the situation. It's basically an olive branch to those that want the court to continue to be corruptible.

Peter G Oct 6, 2023

@QasimRashid most of the comments here against congressional term limits state lobbying as the reason, i.e. congressional term limits will breed more lobbyists. I agree, but shouldn't the answer be banning lobbying or other regulations on ex-congresspeope rather than not imposing term limits? Also, we should do something about overturning Citizens United to take corporate money out of politics.

bwaz Oct 6, 2023

@QasimRashid
Seems like the kind of bill that any decent, honest citizen would favor. It doesn't ft have a chance in hell of passing.

@QasimRashid Term limits are still way too long for both. But it’s a start.

I’d add that SCOTUS judges be chosen by the majority of Americans in an election similar to the president, not appointed by whoever just happens to be in power when a vacancy occurs.

Mike Wolfinbarger Oct 6, 2023

@QasimRashid I would encourage anyone who supports term limits to study their effect in Oklahoma. Our legislators have become increasingly unqualified, undereducated, and ineffectual. They lack an understanding of effective governance and their role, relying on out-of-state interests to drive agendas through template bills. It has made our problems worse, not better.

Kevin Patrick Doyle 🍅🥫Oct 6, 2023

@QasimRashid Congressional term limits exist, they are called elections!

pirx26 Oct 6, 2023

@QasimRashid Nice ideas. But term limits are not Constitutional. To have these would require a Constitutional amendment.

Marty Heyman Oct 6, 2023

@QasimRashid Count me in too. Could he add #endcorporatepersonhood?

Doug Kappeler Oct 6, 2023

Term limit bills have been put forward every year for decades, they never get out of committee.

Kevin Russell Oct 6, 2023

There is NO benefit to term limits.

There are two ways of becoming well known enough to win elections:

1. be rich
2. Run in elections until your name is recognized

Sorry three ways:

1. be rich
2. Run in elections until your name is recognized
3. Do online pimple videos

Term limits wouldnt remove Bobert or Green or Jordan, term limits would remove Bernie.