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In reply to the discussion: Chavez wins Venezuelan election [View all]davidn3600
(6,342 posts)Prior to FDR, no president attempted to run for a 3rd term because of this tradition set by Washington. After FDR, the 22nd amendment was passed which officially made it law restricting a president to two terms. If FDR was so fantastic, why did this amendment pass so easily? Even Democrats overwhelmingly agreed with it. Only two states in the Union (OK and MA) rejected it.
Washington himself could have decided to run for a 3rd term and would have no doubt won. He voluntarily stepped down for what believed was the good of democracy. He thought after 8 years the risks of corruption increase. And you will never get the guy out of power. The power of incumbency is quite extreme. It's too much power for our the American philosophy of check and balance government.
Washington also warned that political parties are inherently dangerous and a serious threat to democracy. I think most Americans, in both parties, would agree with this. Our two-party system is broken and damaging the nation. Massive amounts of money are being spent on political campaigns to a point where the average man has no chance to participate in government. Such positions are now restricted to the elite class or the super rich. Congress is LOADED with millionaires. This is what worried Washington...an elite class that thinks they know better.