Two terms only for prime ministers
Dear Editor,
Although Prime Minister Golding, our chief servant, has accepted his shortcomings as a result of the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips saga he has touched a very salient point which needs re-examination – term limits for prime ministers. I am examining this from a bipartisan stance.
The lengthy stay of some politicians until they are old raises the question of sustainability. Can these old guards have the vision they possessed as youthful partisan advocates? In the modern political landscape, most of the prime ministers and presidents in many First-World countries are in their early 50s, 40s and 30s. Some Third-World countries are actually adopting the worldwide trend.
The 22nd amendment of the US Constitution gives credence to this reality. When Franklyn Delano Roosevelt died in office after one year of beginning his fourth term, making him the longest-serving US president, there were calls for an amendment. The amendment was passed March 21, 1947 and ratified February 27, 1951. The first president to experience this was Dwight Eisenhower. The amendment was the final result of the recommendation of the Hoover Commission which was established by Harry Truman in 1947.
The 22nd amendment of the US Constitution reads: Section 1: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the Office of the President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.”
As such, I strongly think the G2K and its opposing number should take their stance in defining the future runnings of this country to some level of stability. My sincere respect to our senior politicians who have done invaluable service to country, but after two terms as prime minister their ideas must be outdated.
Paris Taylor
Greater Portmore, St Catherine
paristaylor82@hotmail.com
