A common argument raised against term limits for elected officials is that voters have the ability each election cycle to limit an official’s term by voting him/her out of office. While that may be true in theory, it is a widely accepted fact that an incumbent in any elected position from U.S. Senator to local School Board always has the upper hand in a re-election bid. Deals have been made, favors delivered, even the threat of retaliation exists should opposition be mounted. Term limits give more people a fair opportunity to serve their communities by leveling the playing field that has historically been unleveled by power-wielding incumbents who, through long, uninterrupted terms, begin to believe that thy, and only they, know what is best for everyone. If term limits are good for our Governor and State Legislature, and I think they are, they should be good for local elected offices as well.
E.K. Daigle
Westlake, La.
