Term limits don’t address influence of money

Terry E. Peele, Las Vegas

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 | 2:06 a.m.

Term limits! The people of Nevada have been sold a bill of goods with their placement in the state constitution. Why? Consider the purpose of term limits.

The No. 1 purpose is to stymie the influence held by special interest groups. To determine the effectiveness of these we have to understand how that influence is gained. The answer is simple: money.

Ask yourself what term limits do to shrink the size of special interests’ pocketbooks? Absolutely nothing. So what are they going to do with the money already budgeted for this purpose? Logic suggests they will seek out someone to run for lame duck’s office and offer that person the money. No one debates the importance money plays in any election or a reelection.

As to getting rid of “professional politicians” — how is this done through term limits? Even the president — the highest officeholder under term limits — is not prevented from seeking election to Congress or any other elective office. Consider the fact that a politician can spend his lame-duck term setting up a run for higher office. How does this differ from running for reelection?

The only thing term limits do is limit the choices of the voting public. What have we accomplished by buying this bill of goods?

The only way to achieve the desired goal is to somehow curb the influence of money in the campaign process.