Some democracies enforce term limits on citizens who sacrifice their private lives to serve their fellows in the Capitol Hill Bratva. In the United States, the President can serve for two full terms, of four years each, and cannot run again because of the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.

This amendment came about when the Republicans succeeded in yet another of their own-goal endeavors to keep Franklin Delano Roosevelt from winning a fifth term in the election of 1948, despite having died three years earlier. For the record, I’m using Goolag to confirm my facts for this article. Less-censorious search engines may yield different results.

Don’t feel bad for our poor ex-Presidents. They retire with dignity and haul away an undisclosed number of lock-boxes, filled with donations, gifts, and whatever they could smuggle out from the Presidential catacombs under 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. After a final taxpayer-funded flight on their Presidential jet to whatever state will grant them asylum, the Secretary of the Treasury hands over the keys in a private ceremony. While the new guy is getting sworn in, the previous occupant is celebrating Executive Branch Christmas. Continue reading →