I say this because the majority of the people from my country (Venezuela) elected in favor of an ammendment to the constitution that ables anyone to be a candidate for any election as many times that person wants. Before we got only 2 periods a person could run for president that lasted 6 years each. Now Hugo Chavez can be a candidate for president as much as he wants, and I think we know where that could lead to...

I voted against the ammendment, it violates a principle of dermocracy, and now I'm kinda sad it passed. If history has taught us something is that if the same guy stays in power for a long period of time then he gets used to command and give orders that are not democratic.

I know many countries in Europe have unlimited reelections, but their political systems are much different than Venezuela's, most of Europe use a parlamentary system, Venezuela's system is purely presidential.

Do you agree with unlimited reelections?

No, even if they are a great leader I feel that 2 terms is long enough. That's why they have that rule in the US.

I strongly disagree with unlimited terms. Makes it too easy for someone to take over. I'm deeply sorry that you have to deal with this guy; he's not the kind of guy I'd want in charge. I think that the 2 term limit in America is a blessing.

No, the more we see politicians move from the private sector (or even non-political government jobs) into a brief stint of public service, the better. They're more grounded, more in touch with modern society, and they haven't spent the past 20 years doing nothing more than protecting their own ass.

Yup we had 2 terms, of 6 years each! Can you tell me that 12 years aren't enough to make the plans you had when you were running for president?

And yeah, no matter how great a leader is, can you really tell me that he's the only one that can do it good as a president? That there isn't anyone else that could be a great president? What about new generations? They always have great new ideas for progress, well right now my country will be stalled and I don't know when we're going to start any progress...

I completely agree with unlimited terms in concept. The idea is, that if someone is a good leader and the people would rather keep re-electing him then democracy is bieng served. Forcing someone to choose from other candidates they are less inclined to vote for is decidedly less democratic.

Yet in Practice, it's obvious that (I'll say it again!) People Suck! Due to the suckiness of people they will keep re-electing the same asshole over and over, even if he died and nobody told them. Also corruption (well another kind of corruption in addition to all the other corrupt things going on) does tend to be apparent and make people leary of an unlimited term.

Although on this note Fidel Castro is finally out of power! it has to change sometime! :^)


Another thing to consider is this. One of the main reasons why American Foriegn Policy is such a complete mess is because of the fact theres a changing of the guard every 4 or 8 years. It really creates instabilities and makes certain policies that need time to do good impossible.

So yeah in my book thats at least + 2 for Monarchy.

I think the max should be 3 term's, just dont get stuck with another Bush.

Mugabe (Zimbabwe), Castro (Cuba), Kim Jong Il (North Korea), Gaddafi (Libya), Lukashenko (Belarus) are some of the current examples of why you shouldn't let anyone rule more than 10 years. Now you can add Chavez to the list.

I wonder how they do in western Europe? Well it's obvious that they're all very organized countries and while they have unlimited reelections no one as of now has tried to rule by force or try to stay in seat for a long period of time

Frankly, people get pretty fed up with our Presidents once two terms have passed. So I don't even think it would be a problem if we did here in the States.

I am not a supporter of Hugo Chavez, but it is spurious to compare him to the names you mentioned. Despite the demonization of Chavez, he does display a modicum of respect for liberty and the Venezuelan Constitution. Yes, term limits for elected officials have been removed, but there are other means of recourse available for the citizens of Venezuela. If I remember correctly, your Constitution allows for a recall of elected officials including the president. There was a recall election against him in 2004. Let us not overreact to the results of this referendum.