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Clear, Simple and Wrong - Term Limits
Nov. 22nd, 2016 10:06 amEvery so often, people who are irritated at the dysfunction of Washington DC and/or their local statehouse propose term limits on elected officials. This is, in my view, a clear, simple and wrong solution.
The fact of the matter is that running government is a skill, just like repairing cars or computers. It takes time to figure out how to do it. Term limits mean that, as soon as Joe or Jane Legislator figures out how to do something, they're gone. So instead of having the needed experience, they have to rely on lobbyists and professional staffers to get stuff done.
There is a real solution to dysfunction, namely, vote out dysfunctional officials and vote in functional ones. That requires voters accepting compromise, deal-making and cooperation. There is no silver bullet.
The fact of the matter is that running government is a skill, just like repairing cars or computers. It takes time to figure out how to do it. Term limits mean that, as soon as Joe or Jane Legislator figures out how to do something, they're gone. So instead of having the needed experience, they have to rely on lobbyists and professional staffers to get stuff done.
There is a real solution to dysfunction, namely, vote out dysfunctional officials and vote in functional ones. That requires voters accepting compromise, deal-making and cooperation. There is no silver bullet.
