Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / Feb. 14, 2007, edition 1 / Page 4
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EDITORIAL AND OPINION Febrii(ir\'I4,2m 4 Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the 22nd Amendment By Lauiei Benedum Staff Writer When George Washington declined the offer of a third term, he set a precedent for succeeding leaders to serve only two terms that would later be adopted as the 22*^*^ Amendment. His quiet departure from the White House to Mt. VemOTi suggested tt\at eight years in office was sufficient for any president, tiius establidiing an unwritten rule to be followed by each subsequent president— that is until 1940. Franklin D. Roosevelt decided that year he wanted to run again, and despite newspapers' mass criticismfor encroachment upon tradition, Roosevelt won and was later re elected for a fourth term. When Roosevelt died just months into the term, so did the idea of unlimited terms for presidents. The amendment, which imposed a limit of two terms for following presidents, was proposed Mar. 24, 1947, and has been adhered to for nearly 60 years. However, many people have been anything but reluctant to criticize the amendment, saying that it infringes upon the principles of democracy. But when did we ever have a genuine democracy? Yes, it is true that under the 22^*^ ameidment the people cannot re-elect a president after two terms regardless of widespread support. However, thanks to the Electoral College, popular vote does not guarantee a victory anyhow. The 2000 election exemplified this phenomenon when Bush won the electoral vote over Albert Gore by five— tiius winning the election, despitehis540,520popular vote deficit. Generally and instinctively, people like consistency and this fondness is shown in America's tendoicy to elect the incumbent. Much of the information available in the media about candidates is often too broad draw a clear conclusion of what candidates truly stand for. So many citizens often vote nostalgically for the known name out of reluctance for change and a lack of knowledge concerning the opposing candidate. If the known name continued to appear on the ballots unlimitedly, constituents would continue to vote for it— simply out of familiarity. Luckily the 22^^ Amendment instigates generally much-needed change for tiie country by presenting citizens with twofr esh faces from which to choose, rather than one and an incumbent. Since the United States has a two-party system, the amendment prevents the chance of the repeated victory for the incumbent because of an unpopular candidate for ttieopposing party. Because' of the 22^^ Amoidment, if a population is dissatisfied witii the performance of a president, it can eagerly anticipate the president's term ending tiius preventing further damage and disappointment. A recent poll showed that 75 percent of Republicans still support President Bush. If he were able to run again, those numbers would give him a significant advantage in the 2008 election—one that many Americans would by no means support. As framers of tiie Constitution experienced and consequently feared, there is always a risk of power abuse when no limits are set on the time a president can hold office. Therefore tiie ratification of tfus amendment prevents a possible dictatorship that would not only make elections dispensable, but also upset the separation of powers. There will always be a struggle for control between tiie states and central government, and the 22^“ Amendment is one of many fundamental compromises that works on botii sides to maintain that balance. ^.1.^ -•/1 /r .' . 4'.‘- • I. Editorial Cartoon by Laurel Benedum THE MEREDITH HERALD WANTS YOU! If you would like to be a member of the Meredith Herald staff, please email your name to herald@meredith.edu. In the subject line, state "Interested in the Meredith Herald". Make sure to include the areas of journalism that interests you. We are in need of DEDICATED staff writers and editors.
Meredith College Student Newspaper
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Feb. 14, 2007, edition 1
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