Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. "John Adams"
Furthermore, our founding fathers never intended for congressmen and women to serve long 20-30 years in office.
Their writings and debates suggest they leaned toward shorter tenures. They were influenced by the idea of rotation in office, a principle rooted in classical republicanism and their own colonial experiences. They saw public service as a temporary duty, not a lifelong career, and feared entrenched power could lead to corruption or aristocracy.
Furthermore, our founding fathers never intended for congressmen and women to serve long 20-30 years in office.
Their writings and debates suggest they leaned toward shorter tenures. They were influenced by the idea of rotation in office, a principle rooted in classical republicanism and their own colonial experiences. They saw public service as a temporary duty, not a lifelong career, and feared entrenched power could lead to corruption or aristocracy.
Our Congress: Becoming What Our Founding Fathers Feared.
Entrenched Power Corrupts
While the Founding Fathers didn’t explicitly outline how long they expected congressmen and women to serve, they were influenced by the idea of rotation in office, a principle rooted in classical republicanism and their own colonial experiences. They viewed public service as a temporary duty, not a lifelong career, and feared that entrenched power could lead to corruption or the establishment of an aristocracy.
Thomas Jefferson argued for rotation to prevent “perpetual re-eligibility” and ensure fresh perspectives. James Madison, in The Federalist Papers (No. 53), implied that representatives should stay connected to their constituents’ interests, which long tenures might weaken.
The Articles of Confederation, which preceded the Constitution, had term limits for delegates (three years out of six), reflecting this ethos.
The lack of term limits in the Constitution likely reflects a compromise, trusting elections to regulate tenure while allowing flexibility.
Historical context supports the “few terms” view: early congressmen often served short stints due to low pay, demanding travel, and a cultural expectation of returning to private life. Between 1789 and 1820, turnover in the House was high, with many members serving one or two terms. Yet, the Founders’ trust in elections assumed active civic engagement, which didn’t fully anticipate modern careerism or incumbent advantages, such as name recognition and fundraising.
In short, while not unanimous, most Founders likely expected congressmen to serve a few terms and then step aside, prioritizing civic duty over long-term officeholding. They’d probably be skeptical of 20-30 year careers, though they left it to voters to decide.
