Term limits would finally end the permanent campaign

Contributed by Jim Duffy

It is a documented reality that the public is less than enamored with the conduct and actions of legislative bodies. This includes the national congress and the legislature of South Carolina. However, at the same time the return to office by incumbents remains exceedingly high. Apparently this is an indication that my office holder is fine, but the rest are not acceptable in terms of performance. Performance can generally be defined by the legislation passed or not passed. At times potential legislation is not even taken up for discussion. 

After many years of opposing term limits for legislators I have concluded that the best method for reforming the current status is to enact such limits. Political positions were not anticipated to be lifetime careers, but it appears that this is now the goal of many elected to public office. The time required to raise money for the election process and retention of office has become a drain on the individuals asked, and expected, to pay for these campaigns. In the process other work vital to the electorate is often left undone for lack of time or perhaps to avoid taking positions that would impact the ability to raise funds for the re-election effort.

The cry that seniority is important and that re-election will result in greater influence by the official is nonsense. It is more likely to simply support positions that the official deems necessary for re-election and not what might serve the greater good. Seniority is no guarantee of effectiveness for the greater good.

The public is entitled to the full concentration of elected officials acting in the best interest of the electorate and not of the Party they represent or their personal ambitions. There is nothing sacrosanct with the existing situation and the demand for term limits should begin now.