We don’t have super majorities to do that. But then don’t use arguments for other things of “what would the founders” think.
The founders were brilliant but were not perfect. That's why they gave us an amendment system. They knew we would need to change
Also, the key founds supported limits. It wasn't until we elected the socialist wanna be kind FDR where we actually had to write the rule in our law
Key Founders’ Perspectives
George Washington:
Washington set a powerful precedent by voluntarily stepping down after two terms in 1796, citing exhaustion and a desire to avoid perpetuating power. His decision, often credited with establishing the two-term tradition, was less about endorsing formal limits and more about modeling republican virtue. In 1788, he wrote that the Constitution’s checks were sufficient to prevent corruption without term limits, suggesting he saw no need for a formal restriction.
In 1799, when urged to run again, Washington rejected the idea, criticizing the divisiveness of political parties and reinforcing his belief in rotation. His actions influenced later presidents but were not a call for constitutional limits.
Thomas Jefferson:
Jefferson was a strong advocate for the two-term tradition, viewing it as a safeguard against monarchical tendencies. He argued that a president serving beyond two terms risked becoming a "hereditary monarch" and that the people should reject candidates with such ambitions. In his 1821 autobiography, he wrote that a president consenting to a third term should be rejected for showing “ambitious views.”
He also expressed concern about presidents serving into old age, risking ineffective governance, stating that without limits, “the indulgence and attachments of the people will keep a man in the chair after he becomes a dotard.” Jefferson’s refusal to run in 1808, despite public support, reinforced his commitment to rotation.
James Madison:
Madison’s early support for lifetime tenure during the Convention reflected his focus on executive independence. However, as president (1809–1817), he adhered to the two-term tradition, suggesting he accepted the emerging norm of limited tenure. His silence on formal limits later in life indicates he saw the practice as sufficient without constitutional mandate.
John Adams:
Adams, who served one term (1797–1801), did not explicitly advocate for term limits but followed the precedent of not seeking prolonged power. His writings focus more on checks and balances than on specific term restrictions.
Anti-Federalists (e.g., Melancton Smith):
Anti-Federalists like Smith, in a 1788 essay, supported term limits for federal offices, arguing that long-serving officials could become “inattentive to the public good, callous, selfish, and the fountain of corruption.” While focused on legislators, this view extended to executives, reflecting a broader suspicion of entrenched power