Unlimiting Term Limits

March 3, 2002

by Brian W. Peterson

Given the presence of Proposition 45 on the March 5 ballot in California, it does appear that some people believe that “we the people” need protection from ourselves. Prop. 45 would enable a termed-out legislator to serve an additional four years if he acquires a certain number of signatures from citizens of his district.

One facet of our system of government is to protect the rights of the few from being trampled by the desires and whims of the many. But “the few” are not politicians. Elected officials do not own or possess their offices; they serve at the pleasure of the people.

Unfortunately, elected officials of all stripes have found - and continue to find - ways to insulate themselves from the dire threat posed by challengers. The threat is indeed dire for those politicians who enjoy the trappings of elected office.

Theoretically, people should be able to elect whomever they please to represent them in their government. Of course, limits do exist. Limits based upon age requirements, residency, and criminal records prohibit some from seeking office.

And speaking of requirements for office, citizens should desire a requirement that politicians possess a certain level of common sense, though such a requirement could potentially wipe out nearly every state government and the federal government with one stroke. But we can dream.

The argument against term limits goes something like this: term limits breeds inexperience in the capitol; inexperience breeds ineffectiveness amongst green politicians; the people should be able to decide who they can elect; sure, bad legislators will get thrown out, but so will good legislators.

First, what is a bad legislator? Conservatives can name many state legislators who they would like to see find their way into the private sector and away from the Big Bank that is the California budget. But the people who elected Paul Koretz (D - West Hollywood) to the state Assembly and Sheila Kuehl (D - Santa Monica) to the state Senate probably believe that these far left liberals represent them pretty well.

While that may be a frightening thought to some, those who like Kuehl certainly do not think that conservative legislators are “good.” Naturally, liberals and moderates can name legislators that they would like to see hit the road - some harder than others.

Whether a legislator is “good” or “bad,” the longer a politician is in office the better he develops the talent of avoiding “the boot” from constituents. Politicians have made term limits a necessity because of the rules that they have enacted and relationships (money trees) that they have established with lobbyists.

Opposition to Prop. 45 is about opposing the power of incumbency and fighting the status quo. Maintaining term limits would increase the odds of the passage of various reforms that politicians do not want.

Do we conservatives want to lose our favorite legislators? No. Should we abandon the principle of term limits to avoid losing “good” legislators? No. Being enamored with any given politician does not override the principle of term limits.

Indeed, within certain limits, the people should be able to decide who is elected to represent them. But term limits have been enacted to protect the citizenry from politicians because politicians have stacked the deck against those pesky challengers.

The defeat of Prop. 45 would protect the public from the power of incumbency. Passage of Prop. 45 would turn the concept of term limits on its head by giving politicians four more years to feed at the public trough and to figure out how to extend their terms yet again. It’s like a kid who has burned down every house on the block pleading, “Oh mama, let me just have one more match. I’ll be good. No, really.”

Those who do not live in the People’s Republic of California should follow the fate of Prop. 45 with interest. Whether wacky or brilliant, many national trends are birthed in the Golden State. If this proposition passes, term limits will likely face challenges in other states.

With term limits, we may lose some good politicians with the bad, but surely there are at least a few bright people out there who are capable of serving the public.

If you still favor Prop. 45, spend all day Monday staring at a photo of former 16-year Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. That should cure you … or give you a stomachache … or both.

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Brian W. Peterson writes a political column for the Antelope Valley Press (circulation approximately 60,000) in Palmdale, California. He is a graduate of Oral Roberts University, where he majored in TV/Film. Brian’s weekly commentary and newspaper columns can be found at www.LifeAndLiberty.com.

Send the author an E mail at Peterson@ConservativeTruth.org.

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