I read Rep. Snyder-Hall’s commentary regarding term limits and it resonated. Change is a fundamental part of life, even as difficult as it can be at times. I won’t say I appreciated all the changes that occurred in my life, but many, while difficult at the time, turned out to be for the best. Alas, some did not. Such is life!
While I have my own opinions and thoughts on life, I have come to realize that listening to thoughts and opinions counter to mine, as long as presented in a rational dialogue, can broaden my perspective on life even if I still disagree. That, to me, is why we need term limits. We all get entrenched in our thoughts, ideas and perspectives.
Governments (such as Texas and Delaware, for example) when in unilateral power for too long keep repeating the same philosophies and actions, which too often become narrow in perspective and limited in value as society evolves. Incumbency has it financial and public recognition advantages, which too often diminishes the effect of elections. Change can lead to broader outcomes for the general good and maybe a different answer to the same question.
In discussions with friends of various perspectives, as we solve the world’s problems, one common thread repeated many times is, “We need term limits,” and the reason why they do not happen is expressed the same. Take a guess!
One reason I retired was that I thought it was time to move on, and while life has been good to me, the next person has his/her own perspective, and that is not “antidemocratic,” but maybe just different or, in fact, the same. Failure to listen to other perspectives often leads to mental staleness. While I believe in continuity for many activities in my life, too much tends to stifle new ideas and actions.
By no means do I have all the answers, but term limits are not anti-democratic and should be considered objectively by those with the power to effect change.
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