two term presidential limit

[koop.]

I've always been a bit baffled by this. What happens if you have an amazing president who's doing wonders for your country and everything is amazing but unfortunately you wont last and then are forced to change. 

 

Clearly if the president isn't any good they wouldn't be voted in again anyway by the people so it's always confused me 

 

Random thought of the day really 

[Nalis]

Only in the US of course. History has shown that even seemingly 'popular' figureheads have a lifespan.

[ithuriel]

There for a reason, power corrupts even the most well intentioned.

[Alf Bentley]

4 minutes ago, Nalis said:

Only in the US of course. History has shown that even seemingly 'popular' figureheads have a lifespan.

 

 

Yep. You only need to remember our two most recent long-serving PMs (both popular in their day): Thatcher and Blair became increasingly demented and messianic by their third terms. 

[DB11]

To prevent a dictatorship I believe

[pleatout]

FD Roosevelt was elected for a 4th term in 1944, up to his 3rd term in 1940 it had been tradition not to go for a 3rd.  I seem to recall being taught that the US took the view that defeating dictators like Hitler and Mussolini and then facing up to Stalin maybe it was a difficult to take the moral high ground if your president has served potentially 16+ years.

[Sampson]

Look at Merkel. 

 

Turned her country to the economic powerhouse of Europe but is now being hounded out and becoming more and more unpopular.

 

10 years a leader tends to reach their lifespan anyway. It saves your reputation if anything not being able to stand after 8 years.