1989-1990 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
Should Terms of Those Serving In The House of
Representatives Be Limited? Why, How or Why Not?
Teacher: Keith A. Robinson
Maple Valley High School, Mapleton, Iowa
1st Christine Conover 
2nd Cyndy Hanson 
3rd Lars Vanderbur
"Either way someone is going to lose this battle, whether it be the
Representatives themselves, by losing the privilege of running for unlimited terms, or the
U.S. citizens who lose interest in the voting process because they feel their votes don't
make a difference. I myself am for limiting Representative terms. This would make us, the
citizens, winners because we would be able to feel our votes actually made a difference
and that the people we vote in will actually accomp- lish something. After all, democracy
was set up for the people, not for the people running government."
Unidentified Student, Maple Valley High School, Mapleton, Iowa
"In today's world of political corruption, it's time we take a step
back and look at our government. When the Constitution of the United States of America was
written in 1787, the people who framed it were all honest men, concerned with only one
thing; to create and protect a strong, independent, free nation. They were men like
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin; men who put hours of work into
creating the perfect 'law of the land'. In Article I, Section I, Congress was given all
legislative powers, and divided into two house, the Senate and the House of
Representatives. Since 1787 many things have changed; the constitution has be amended 26
times and many of the men who are in our Congress are not as respectable and prestigious
as were their forefathers."
Unidentified Student, Maple Valley High School, Mapleton, Iowa
"Overall, the older people, or in other words, more experienced
people, know what has worked and failed. Experience, then, is one of the key points to why
terms should be kept unlimited."
Unidentified Student, Maple Valley High School, Mapleton, Iowa
"There needs to be an equal representation between young and old
members of the House. Young representatives will be more concerned about the government,
land and national debt simply because they are young and will be affected by these things
for a longer time. On the other hand, older members will be concerned with social security
and medicare. A more equal representation between the age groups will cause a better
representation of the people."
Unidentified Student, Maple Valley High School, Mapleton, Iowa
"In today's world of political corruption, it's time we take a step
back and look at our government. When the Constitution of the United States of America was
written in 1787, the people who framed it were all honest men, concerned with only one
thing; to create and protect a strong, independent, free nation. They were men like
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin; men who put hours of work into
creating the perfect 'law of the land'. In Article I, Section I, Congress was given all
legislative powers, and divided into two house, the Senate and the House of
Representatives. Since 1787 many things have changed; the constitution has be amended 26
times and many of the men who are in our Congress are not as respectable and prestigious
as were their forefathers."
Unidentified Student, Maple Valley High School, Mapleton, Iowa