Americans actually agree on a lot of things; it’s a pity that today’s media and political debates play up the discord.
Or so argues A. Barton Hinkle at The Richmond Times-Dispatch. Sure, he admits, “[a] lot of people seem willing to tear your head off over the smallest thing.” But “on some topics, the public is of one mind, or as close to that as you can get.”
Hinkle notes that “Nine out of 10 Americans think a background check should be required for every firearm purchase.” A few percentage points fewer wish to keep “Dreamers” in the country; a mere one point fewer disapprove of civil asset forfeiture. Medical marijuana is approved of by 83 percent of Americans.
Not on Hinkle’s list? American agreement on term limits. A year ago, a Rasmussen Poll found support for limiting congressional terms at 74 percent of likely voters, with only 13 percent opposed and 13 percent undecided. This overwhelming public support has been consistent for many decades.
But consistently ignored by Congress. Not so surprisingly.
Can Americans put their united oomph behind their overwhelming agreement? U.S. Term Limits thinks so.
The group isn’t depending on cajoling the Congress, either. They’re mobilizing concerned citizens to convince 34 state legislatures to call a Term Limits Convention.* The convention’s purpose is to propose a constitutional amendment for congressional term limits, which then still requires 38 states to ratify it.
Rather than brewing up a civil war over tweets and “microaggressions,” join the Term Limits Team.
Let’s agree to agree. And make our representatives agree, too.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
* As Article V of the U.S. Constitution states, “The Congress … on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several
5 replies on “Agreeable America”
Yes Paul, Mr. Hinkle is correct on this (and generally). Americans have much more commonality than the politicians and press, which prosper on discord, would portray.
Further it would appear to me that the vast majority are coming to the belief that the nanny state and state intervention are not what they desire.
Trump was the beginning of the revolution. The present reactions of the establishment elites, commonly career politicians, and the popular press in opposition is actually moving it along.
The one gun I’ve purchased they did a background check. That was in California. A lot of questions aren’t asked correctly. I would say let the dreamers stay if they secure the border. If they call a convention is it limited to the one subject or can they go astray once they start.
If 74 percent of likely voters approve of limiting congressional terms, then let them act on it by voting out incumbents. If you REALLY approve of term limits then vote out your own representative or senator when he or she comes up for reelection.
Paul, you keep looking for reform to come from the top. It has to come up from voters.
The simple truth is most Americans think their own representatives do a heck of a job. They just don’t like the people the rest of the country votes for. They can’t have it both ways.
Yes, TRumps supporters will get their desired leader. a srong man with unending hubris. Trump’s arrogance. Is only exceeded by his ignorance.
People that call Trump ignorant are paid to spout such idiocy.
You that do so have no self respect and have no inclination what true intelligence is.
Your comments only prove your own ignorance.