Peter von Nostrand: Appearing to do something while doing nothing. I see no reason why it can't be a federal law, though I'll admit I'm not a lawyer. He knows an amendment will never happen.

Captain_Sunshine: Term limits would gut the government. This is what Republicans want.

Consider this: You're a young adult, age 25 or so, newly elected to Congress. Thanks to term limits, you get twelve years as a Congressperson, whether as a House member or a Senator. You spend the first couple of years learning the ropes in Congress, and the next ten years building your connections, making allies and enemies, getting on committees, and learning the wider network with lobbyists and constituents and whoever else comes to your office and town halls and other meetings.

And then you're out. Twelve years in government, a dozen years of skill-building, learning the law, and networking, only 37, and no job.

Guess who's going to be hiring you? Companies who need a lobbyiist for your particular former committes, specializations, and networks. Someone who can tell the new Congressperson you just were How It Really Is. You know exactly what to say. And you have 30 good years left in you, at least. And at a much better salary than you had in Congress.

Won't be 30 years before companies run both Houses completely, because all of the lobbyists will have more experience in government than anyone in Congress.

You think it's bad now (and it is)? You want to see complete regulatory capture in Congress? Enact term limits.