Tobacco BBS Editorial -- Term Limits: Giving Power Back to Big Business
Term Limits: Giving Power Back to Big Business
Term limits is a lobbyist's dream, and one more step towards control of the government not by the people--but by those who can afford to buy it. Term limits puts political power and know-how firmly in the hands of lobbyists and bureaucrats.
It does so in three major anti-democratic ways:
1. Lobbyist groups will be the only ones in Washington with decades of unbroken experience, in-depth knowledge and a long string of connections. Lobbyists will be the canniest observers, tell the most war stories, have the most direct links with the great legislators of the past. Lobbyists will hold the lore, and will be a new legislator's closest link to history, tradition and power.
It takes time to learn the ropes of government enough to actually get something accomplished. Under term limits, the people who know government's ins and outs best will be the people who have been in it for decades, who have the most contacts, who have their fingers on the most private pulses of government, whose secret knowledge is sure, intimate and wise--lobbyists and bureaucrats.
Who will guide the new electee in the halls of real power? Lobbyists. Lobbyists will swarm them, and be only too happy to introduce them to the elder representatives and the functionaries who can make a process difficult or easy. Naturally, the elder is only returning the favor he or she received. The guard is ever-changing; the custodian remains.
2. Public service will be a very limited affair, only a stepping-stone to a business career. Where do you go after you've lost almost a decade out of your career-building years? The temptation to make hay for that very limited time in the sun--and to endear yourself with the business interests who are your main hope of hire after your term of service--will be great.
3. The pressure to please your constituents will be considerably diminished, especially in your second term. You may be far more interested in pleasing those who will give you a job later.
Term limits will place government squarely in the hands of those who can buy it. Lobyists and bureaucrats will be the true power. And bureaucrats will become a major target for the generosities of lobbyists.
Term limits may sound good, and may even be worth a try, but 8 years is far, far too short. Even if your representative is Jesse Helms--and Helms has only been doing just what his constituents want--vote NO on Term Limits.
(Unless, of course, you're in New York City-Vote YES on Proposal 2, which phases in NYC's term limits over 12 years)
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