Apr 6, 2013 2 min read

I read many letters in the Observer-Reporter regarding term limits for political offices, and, not long ago, the editorial board of the Observer-Reporter expressed an opinion in favor of term limits.

Every time I read one of these letters, what comes to mind is that we, as voters, hold the power in our hands to invoke these term limits ourselves. It’s called voting.

When I go to the polls, I will not vote for anyone for more than two terms regardless of how they served the people. If every person who votes would do the same, we would have term limits. By the same token, I will not vote for a politician who holds office in one position for several terms and then decides to move to the next level, like many of our state representatives have done. To me, this is just another way for them to make a career out of our political system.

Term limits have many benefits, but, most importantly, term limits would bring fresh, honest people to the fore with fresh ideas on how to best serve the people who elected them. People who are elected time after time can’t help but become pawns of the special-interest groups that fund their ridiculously expensive campaigns. Waiting for these career politicians to invoke term limits themselves is a waste of time. Why would they pass a law that would put them out of a job?

The next time you go to vote, remember you have the power to limit terms.

Sid Manning

Washington