Term Limits

A blog thread that I commented on today got me to thinking about term limits.  Then I got to thinking that, with all of the talk and all of the frustration with the "political class" and career politicians this election year, why isn't this issue front and center?  Here is what I wrote in my comment on Soundpolitics.com in reply to a criticism about statewide initiatives.

I used to be one of those voters who was opposed to term limits, referendums, initiatives, etc because I also believe in representative democracy. I believed that people had a right to pick their representative no matter how long they had served in office. I also believed that initiatives and referendums allowed for politicians to avoid controversial votes by putting them into the hands of the voters. 

Unfortunately I now believe, like many others that have commented here, that we have a huge problem with politicians who make careers out of holding public office. They say one thing during a campaign and then completely disregard their constituents when in office. When the next election comes around voters are left to decide between the lesser of two evils and vote again to put the same person back in office over and over again. 

I have come to the conclusion that allowing unlimited terms for public office is bad for our republic because we have a political class that, over long periods in office, cannot relate to the people they represent. Without term limits there is no incentive for our elected officials to consider how the laws they pass hurt the private sector because they do not have to live and work under the laws and regulations that they vote into law.

Since statewide Initiatives seem to be our only real avenue for changing the way our government operates, I am all for them. If those in government want to limit this process they will also need to limit their own power by amending the state constitution limiting how long they can serve. 

What do you think?  Is it time that we revisit term limits at both the federal and state level?