Term limits needed for fresh ideas

When the United States of America was founded, the statesmen who set up our system of government always intended legislative bodies to be citizen legislators — that is, on purpose, to avoid career politicians.

The state of Alaska is no different, which is why I’ve introduced a resolution to create term limits for legislators in Alaska. If passed by the legislature and approved by the voters during the next general election, term limits will ensure the state’s legislature is comprised of citizen statesmen and women performing their public service.

With all due respect, I’ve received little support from my legislative colleagues.

But that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped trying. Here’s my plan:

Under term limits, the state’s Constitution would be amended to mandate senators be held to two terms and representatives to four. This gives each legislator a total of eight years in each house, or 16 years total. That’s still a mighty long time in office, but I believe it will create a better cycle of legislators with different, new and great ideas that could better the great state of Alaska. It will also create a check and balance against one legislator gaining too much power, and the possibility they be ever indebted to lobbyists.

Plus, if a term-limited legislator wants to get back into politics, he or she can attempt to do so after one full term has passed with them out of office.

Term limits will make for an occasional election cycle where there is no incumbent — a position that gives a great advantage during an election. It will also reinforce the United States’ founders’ idea of a citizen legislature, made-up of lawmakers from various walks of life who do not make a career out of their public service.

When President George Washington held himself to two terms as the country’s first commander-in-chief — something not written into law until the 22nd Amendment in 1947 — he exemplified how I believe a government of the people, by the people, for the people should work: with restraint and the willingness to let others take the reins. I would hope we as legislators are humble enough to never think no one could possible replace us.

I also think Thomas Jefferson said it best when talking about term limits during the Continental Congress in 1776. Jefferson supported limiting terms “to prevent any danger which might arise to American freedom by continuing too long in office the members of the Continental Congress…” Jefferson knew the dangerous that come with a buildup of too much power in one individual.

Did you know, even ancient Greeks and Romans used term limits for various political bodies, realizing the benefit of a rotation in representative membership and checks on individual power?

Fifty years ago in Alaska, when 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Fairbanks created our own founding document, I truly believe, as did my late husband Sen. Curt Menard, they intended our legislature to be void of career politicians.

I believe wholeheartedly that there are many long-time legislators in this state who have done well, but I think our state’s legislature should have a healthy rotation of citizens and the ability to avoid vesting too much power in one person.

On a more serious note, I believe term limits will help curb some possible future corruption by those who get too comfortable in office.

The most important part of my resolution, I believe, is the ultimate decision rests with you, the voters. The public will have the final say, at the ballot, which is the way I prefer it to be. You can also help with this initiative by contacting your representative or senator and urging him or her to support term limits.

Sen. Linda Menard is a Republican representing District G.