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:
Homewood High School, Birmingham, Alabama
1st Beverly Jordan
2nd Rollin Gentry
3rd Douglas Riegert
"Reasons supporting the amendment, however, are much simpler: too
many incumbents stay elected for decades all too many incumbents stay elected for decades at
a time; too many businesses thrive on having a permanent ally in the legislature; too much
pressure of getting re-elected increases need for campaign financing; and too few voters
actually know what is going on. Since the pressure of campaign money and favors from
wealthy constituents is obviously pre- valent, what will stop every single representative
from becoming permanent dupes for the rich and influential? At least with a limit on the
number of terms, big business and big people will not have nearly as firm a grasp on the
hearts, minds and bank accouonts of represent- atives."
Unidentified Student, Homewood High School, Birmingham, Alabama
"Moreover, if fewer campaigns are necessary for representatives,
maybe fewer babies will catch colds from sickly politicians."
Unidentified Student, Homewood High School, Birmingham, Alabama
"Six years would most likely seem to be a significant total of years
for a representative to do some good for the registered voters in his state rater than for
his constituents."
Unidentified Student, Homewood High School, Birmingham, Alabama
"Moreover, if fewer campaigns are necessary for representatives,
maybe fewer babies will catch colds from sickly politicians."
Unidentified Student, Homewood High School, Birmingham, Alabama
"Six years would most likely seem to be a significant total of years
for a representative to do some good for the registered voters in his state rater than for
his constituents."
Unidentified Student, Homewood High School, Birmingham, Alabama
"Unfortunately Americans look upon the problems our leaders have
caused or the problems oue leaders have not stopped, with the attitude that 'they are
doing the best that they can'. This may be true, but the problems are still there. Our
leaders look at many issues everyday, but it always seems the same ones pop up and the
same ones get shuffled to the bottom of the pile. If our leaders cannot take care of the
most obvious problems, what are they going to do when an unnoticed problem slips by their
fingertips?"
Unidentified Student, Homewood High School, Birmingham, Alabama
"Reasons supporting the amendment, however, are much simpler: too
many incumbents stay elected for decades at a time; too many businesses thrive on having a
permanent ally in the legislature; too much pressure of getting re-elected increases need
for campaign financing; and too few voters actually know what is going on. Since the
pressure of campaign money and favors from wealthy constituents is obviously prevalent,
what will stop every single representative from becoming permanent dupes for the rich and
influential? At least with a limit on the number of terms, big business and big people
will not have nearly as firm a grasp on the hearts, minds and bank accounts of
representatives."
Unidentified Student, Homewood High School, Birmingham, Alabama