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xxqqqzme

(14,887 posts)

62. In California

Sat Jan 19, 2013, 05:34 PM

Jan 2013

w/ the introduction of term limits for the state legislature - 2 terms for state assembly & senate and elected state offices (Gov, Sec of State, etc.), we now have a constant game of musical chairs. Every 2 terms everyone races for a new chair. In the legislature what we get are people who have absolutely NO idea of how government works or what their jobs are. It was one of the reasons our way out of the economic mess was delayed and made worse by inaction.

The scramble for the next seat also hinders good local candidates from moving up the legislative ladder. The CDP is drowning in aging legislators w/ good bright, candidates w/ no where to go. John Chiang, terrific comptroller, & Debra Bowen, excellent SoS, will be termed out - both excellent in their offices - will be termed out in '14

We had an excellent Attorney General - Bill Lockyear who when termed out was replaced by Jerry Brown. Jerry Brown was a crappy AG. Thankfully, current AG, Kamala Harris is a very good.

There are various proposals to 'fix' the term limits but they less than ideal - currently being bandied about is a total term limit of 12 years in state government.

I see all sorts of problems w/ that too.

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Americans Call for Term Limits, End to Electoral College [View all] UnrepentantLiberal Jan 2013 OP

The only problem I have with term-limits is ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2013 #1

+1. And especially more power to lobbyists. Faygo Kid Jan 2013 #2

Yep. n/t 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2013 #3

If lobbyists help politicians get re-elected, how do term limits give them more power? Scuba Jan 2013 #13

They end up writing the legislation and controlling the process. Faygo Kid Jan 2013 #15

That's because our side doesn't have a people's version of ALEC. Why is that? Scuba Jan 2013 #20

Great question. Who actually runs the Democratic Party? rhett o rick Jan 2013 #22

Sometimes I think the Democratic Party is being run by the Republicans. Scuba Jan 2013 #24

I wouldnt go that far, but most likely the same oligarchs that control the Repub party rhett o rick Jan 2013 #30

Obama for America led the Presidential race ... Scuba Jan 2013 #34

I dont view Pres Obama as head of the Democratic Party. rhett o rick Jan 2013 #36

This may be the answer. rhett o rick Jan 2013 #37

Glad to see this, thanks. Still, disappointed to hear Michelle state "what the organization Scuba Jan 2013 #40

I understand your consternation. But it may be a good chance to break rhett o rick Jan 2013 #51

I wouldn't consider that to be the answer Revanchist Jan 2013 #49

I respectfully recommend you look again. nm rhett o rick Jan 2013 #50

Ahhh Revanchist Jan 2013 #53

It is supposed to be the ACLU classykaren Jan 2013 #23

Really? Can you provide a citation? I've never heard that. Scuba Jan 2013 #26

What? The ACLU writes legislation? nm rhett o rick Jan 2013 #27

the lobbyists would have more experience than the legislators they are controlling yurbud Jan 2013 #45

In California xxqqqzme Jan 2013 #62

It IS a statewide game of musical chairs. Gormy Cuss Jan 2013 #63

Well, maybe not. The lobbyists would have to "establish a relationship" and by the time they do, MADem Jan 2013 #47

However term limits if done right might actually be worth pursuing. Imagine for example cstanleytech Jan 2013 #59

yep SHRED Jan 2013 #60

I don't it matters either way Great Caesars Ghost Jan 2013 #61

Well, I guess eliminating the electoral college means AtheistCrusader Jan 2013 #4

which state is that? south dakota or new york? pasto76 Jan 2013 #39

That's exactly what I meant. :) AtheistCrusader Jan 2013 #42

There should be non-consecutive terms ck4829 Jan 2013 #5

Yes... Volaris Jan 2013 #31

"Stop me from voting for that person!" jberryhill Jan 2013 #6

and yes... Volaris Jan 2013 #32

It's an admission that our process is corrupt. sofa king Jan 2013 #57

and in more civil times, seasoned politicians are better at the job of politics. Ed Suspicious Jan 2013 #7

Term limits are the prime cuts of beef for the limited government crowd. No thanks. Ed Suspicious Jan 2013 #8

it's one of the ways they've hog-tied California's state legislatures: since Republicans can't win yurbud Jan 2013 #44

I've already seen good legislators that could have many more years of service turned out in my state Pyrzqxgl Jan 2013 #9

Eliminating the Electoral College padruig Jan 2013 #10

Somebody needs to 'splain that to me. tabasco Jan 2013 #14

Romney won 222 Congressional districts, Obama 206. former9thward Jan 2013 #38

That's a reason why we SHOULD eliminate it. Chef Eric Jan 2013 #17

I agree that we should eliminate the electorial college, but fixing gerrymandering would rhett o rick Jan 2013 #29

Exactly LovingA2andMI Jan 2013 #43

I agree--districts should be square as possible, and encompass entire communities. MADem Jan 2013 #48

We have term limits dsc Jan 2013 #11

Thank you. The conversation needs to begin and end RIGHT THERE. kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #16

Agreed. Maybe we should ask people if they favor term limits for their own jobs or whether they Midwestern Democrat Jan 2013 #65

Get rid of the money in politics which is the real problem stultusporcos Jan 2013 #12

Not really sure it would work... but if the majority wants it then who am I to stand in the way? nt Comrade_McKenzie Jan 2013 #18

If the majority wants it all they have to do is term limit incumbents at the ballot box. totodeinhere Jan 2013 #58

Really Need an end to Gerrymandering and mass private money in politics. The removal of the little pam4water Jan 2013 #19

Bad idea. Spryguy Jan 2013 #21

"Bill Clinton would STILL be president" jberryhill Jan 2013 #35

I favor 1/5 term limit for all people who are Republicans. Hard Assets Jan 2013 #25

Our focus should be on countering gerrymandering and voter suppression. nm rhett o rick Jan 2013 #28

yes Nine Jan 2013 #55

Term limits...not that's something I could get behind. nt NorthCarolina Jan 2013 #33

Congress isn't going to propose term limits. We need 2/3 of the states to call for a 24601 Jan 2013 #41

This would give the Supreme Court way too much power... KansDem Jan 2013 #46

Might as well forget about reforming our filthy, corporate dominated system. ronnie624 Jan 2013 #52

Term Limits does not "limit" politicians...... suston96 Jan 2013 #54

So what? Americans want a lot of things according to polls....... socialist_n_TN Jan 2013 #56

Ted Kennedy served in the Senate for 47 years. Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #64

You assume that the voters have complete control NorthCarolina Jan 2013 #66

Term limits aren't going to fix that - those gerrymandered districts will simply replace them Midwestern Democrat Jan 2013 #67