CAMPAIGN - Term Limits

     This is one issue where I do not have a strong opinion. Over the years, my feelings for term limits have changed, depending on the political atmosphere at the time. A News-Review reporter asked me three days ago where I stood on term limits. Here is what I told her.
     I would support whatever the voters decide. Because I do not have a strong feeling one way or the other, I could live happily with whatever decision is made.
     In reference to how I would vote on the proposed November ballot initiative, limiting Douglas County Commissioners to two terms, I would probably vote against it. If it were for a limit of four terms or more, I would support it. People can always vote a person out of office if the commissioner is doing an ineffective job. But I'm concerned that a limit of eight years (two terms) might be too restrictive for a popular commissioner who is doing a good job. But I also believe the commissioner's job should not be a lifelong career for one person. Fresh blood is needed. That's why I would support a limit of 16 years (four terms) or more.
     In a perfect world, term limits should be avoided for all national, state, and local offices. The freedom of citizens to elect whomever they want for as long as they want should not be infringed upon. Let the voters decide, not some arbitrary term limits law, how long a person should serve in public office.
     In the real world, I've seen the corruption and unfair advantages that incumbents have when seeking re-election. Congressmen are free to mail newsletters to all of their constituents, at taxpayer expense, promoting the Congress person's issues. While such newsletters are never written to be "political in nature," the simple fact that a politician can put their name, free of charge, in every person's mailbox gives them an edge over their opponents.
     In addition, incumbents can subtly exert influence over people to help them gain re-election. Just consider the recent debacle over the New Jersey governor closing down a bridge because one mayor didn't support him politically.
     We currently have term limits for the President (two terms, eight years) and for the Oregon state legislature. But there are no term limits for Congress. I believe there should be some consistency in how our government leaders are elected. If other national and state political offices have term limits, then Congress should as well
     The issue in which I resist term limits, is finding the "magic number" of terms or years that a person should be allowed to serve. Regarding the Douglas County Commissioner's position, I'm still not sure of what that number should be. That's why I choose to err on the side of caution. It's better to begin with a loose number (four terms) than a number that's possibly too restrictive (two terms).