Limit term limits

A bill in front of the Maine Legislature proposing to extend legislators’ terms from eight to 12 years is causing some angst for Mainers supportive of term limits. Their nervousness is unwarranted because term limits have done little to improve government. In fact, they have done more to perpetuate bad government.

Democracy is founded on the ability of the majority to put forth its agenda. It’s also founded upon gifted lawmakers who have vision and know how to lead. In a system that includes legislative term limits, the people cannot always vote for the individual they want to represent them. Mainers, for example, must choose someone new every eight years, despite how well the current representative has performed. This is undemocratic since it takes power away from the people.

Term limits are nothing new. To avoid the appearance of a monarchy, George Washington imposed upon himself a limit of two terms. In lockstep, presidents up until Franklin D. Roosevelt limited themselves to two terms as head of state. While it was hotly debated, Roosevelt defended his term extension saying he should stay in office to see America through World War II. Many criticized his break with tradition, but many more elected him to those third and fourth terms knowing that he was a strong leader, perfect for the time.

There is an inherit distrust of officials when it comes to power grabbing, as evidenced by those who resented Roosevelt’s 12-plus years in power. Supporters of term limits will likely interpret the Maine Legislature’s attempt to lengthen its terms as an attempt to hold onto power. Others will interpret it in a more materialistic way saying legislators want to continue with their monetary rewards including salary, stipends, retirement benefits and travel expenses. But while it’s easy to be cynical, there is also the possibility that leadership in Augusta knows a good government can only function when it’s not reinventing itself every eight years.

Legislators and even town and school representatives will tell you there is a breaking-in period when first joining a board. Some need several years to understand the system of governing. This is especially true in Augusta, where the state governing system is a labyrinth of departments and a maze of parlimentarian procedure. So, if it takes legislators time to become adept at the system, who’s actually in charge? The answer is lobbyists and bureaucrats, who are immune from term limits. And the only thing term limits is successful at is keeping bureaucrats and lobbyists in control in Augusta, not the people’s representatives.

Lobbyists and careerists in state agencies are the ones who benefit from ignorant legislators, most of whom don’t even read the bills they approve. While some are from business backgrounds, many lobbyists are former state representatives or senators who know the system inside and out. But seasoned legislators who know how the game is played are not as easily swayed or wooed.

While it seems term limits would help democracy by keeping career politicians from dominating their districts, limiting terms actually erodes the system. Legislators should buck the term-limits trend and vote for this bill, for it does much to get Maine government back in the hands of the people, not the special interests.