In announcing her upcoming retirement from the state legislature in late 2020,State Senator Laura Thielen suggested the need for term limits for local legislators, a subject which surfaces occasionally, gains no traction, and then disappears… much like perennially proposed options for the off-limits Haiku Stairway to Heaven and the embarrassing Waikiki Natatorium; but those are topics for another day. As for term limits, elected officials naturally don’t view this concept as a possible stimulant to preclude local, biannual voter apathy as the same people retain the same offices, occasionally running for higher office- but it’s still the same names, time after time. Experience, sign-wavers extraordinaire, name recognition, and the resulting vapid promises…
As a legislator’s number one job is to stay employed, term limits to an elected official are like garlic or sunlight to a vampire- bad, very bad. But hey, we have term limits for Hawaii governors, lieutenant governors, mayors, et al. Why can’t we come up with a means to get more people interested in politics- you know, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people- just not the same people- as it was intended to be? “Career politician” was an oxymoron 240 years ago when the Founding Fathers set things up. Now, it’s begrudgingly accepted as a part of “the system”, as we blindly plow ahead with horrific approval ratings the rule for both local and national legislators. 15 states currently have legislator term limits. While the results are decidedly mixed, no other state has the virtual one-party system we have, so perhaps Hawaii should be viewed uniquely as to whether or not term limits would make a difference in getting more things done (as opposed to undone, but discussed ad nauseum).
How about the idea of a full-time legislature (in place in 10 states) or even a unicameral system of government (one legislative body), which currently exists in Nebraska? Ideas that might be worth exploring. More accountability, focus, higher expectations, more than 100 rushed days of annual legislative madness, etc. Will any such measures ever be seriously explored or considered locally? If not, assume more of the same from habitually re-elected legislators who, with minimal competition and seemingly lifetime appointments, have no reason to rock, fix, question, or restructure the boat, as that might risk upsetting voters, lobbyists, special interest allies, and/or perpetual campaign funders.
Think about it…