NoNoNo UnceUnceUncerrr ainainain THE NEWSLETTER OF THE TERM LIMITS MOVEMENT August 2000 VOLUME 8 NUMBER 7 terms State Term Limits Term Limits Safe in California After Legislators Fail to Approve Initiative
California legislators The Assembly’s bill have become increas- failed, and the Senate’s ingly anxious about version was never sub- term limits as their mitted for a floor vote time in office comes to at all, thanks in part to an end. Recently, voter backlash. committees in both the Currently, California’s state’s Senate and term limits law allows Assembly passed bills Assembly members to that would drastically serve for six years, while extend their time in Senators are allowed office. Fortunately, eight. The legislature when the Assembly’s sought to increase the bill came to a floor limits to 12 years, as well vote, they were an as restarting the clock — incredible 24 votes which would have al- short of their needed lowed legislators who two-thirds majority. continued on page 2
I Message from Nebraska Update Paul Jacob page 2 N Initiative Qualifies for 2000 Ballot Integrity First On April 26th, Nebraskans statement commending both S page 3 for Limited Terms successfully individuals and organizations submitted 150,000 signatures for their invaluable support. I They Said It to the Secretary of State’s He expressed great optimism page 6 office. Signatures were col- that the measure will return D lected from 60 of Nebraska’s power from the hands of Candidate Spotlight 93 counties, a total doubling special interests back to the page 7 the state requirement. people of Nebraska. Curtis E The campaign chairman of also maintained that in No- The Weasel King Nebraskans for Limited Terms, vember, when Nebraskans Guy Curtis, issued a brief page 8 continued on page 4
August 2000 Issue No Uncertain TERMS U.S. Term Limits 1 10 G St., NE Washington, DC 20002 http://www.ustermlimits.org Message from the National Director “Give It Back” The White House will soon project a “huge” budget calls spending your money surplus totaling $1.8 trillion over ten years. By the time these days. Just thought you hear this, the projection will have already been you’d want to know that. made, of course. Just so you know I’m working from a Everybody’s forgetting that projection of a projection, not the actual projection. we’ve got a $5 trillion-dollar Who knows whether the money will ever show up? national debt. If the feds do get a couple extra Just because the feds say they’ll be able to collect a hundred billion dollars in any particular year, certain amount in taxes doesn’t mean they’ll do it. can’t they pay down that debt? They could do Maybe there will be a couple recessions in there that anyway, just by cutting all the useless bollixing up the works. Maybe another couple of wars spending on special interests. or “police actions.” Who knows what could happen. I Rather than fighting about how to spend all guess they can safely project that you and I won’t the excess taxes we’re paying — cut spending, cut quit our jobs and go on the dole. the debt, cut our taxes. Give the money back. But suppose the surplus funds do come in. How to Give it back! You’ve got my mailing address, spend them? Clinton wants to expand Medicare. Gore don’t you? wants to fund all kinds of environmental measures. Other politicians have other so-called “investments” in mind. By the way, investment is what Washington
Term Limits Safe behavior for legislators to year by the Field Poll and the in California attempt to extend their own Los Angeles Times. continued from page 1 time in office.” The Orange County Register U.S. Term Limits ran ads on wrote, “There's a tendency for had already served the fully TV, radio, and the Internet to people with political power to allowed time to serve 24 addi- educate California voters on the start to believe they are indis- tional years in the legislature. actions of their legislators, and pensable — that their experi- Widespread voter outrage and released poll numbers showing ence and connections make press exposure helped to turn that nearly 70% of California them the only person who can the tide against this sham. The voters continue to support the do the job properly. . . People Wall Street Journal wrote, “In the existing term limits law rather with such attitudes are pre- absence of a grassroots effort than longer limits. Those results cisely those who pose the most by voters to alter term limits, it are very similar to independent danger when they have posi- is the height of self-serving public opinion polls taken last tions of power.”
BOARD OF DIRECTORS No Uncertain Terms is published 12 times a year at an annual subscription price Peter Ackerman Travis Anderson of $30. Third class postage paid, AUGUST 2000 VOLUME 8 NUMBER 7 Steven Baer Terence Considine Washington, D.C. POSTMASTER: Send Edited by Eric D. Dixon Edward Crane Cora Fields address changes to U.S. Term Limits. Contributing Writers: Joe Santuomo Mike Ford M. Blair Hull Christy Wahl Sally Reed Impastato Paul Jacob Term Limits On-Line! A Publication of Kenneth Langone Ronald Lauder U.S. TERM LIMITS and For the latest developments on term U.S. TERM LIMITS FOUNDATION Rob Mosbacher Paul Raynault limits across America, visit our web site 10 G ST., NE, SUITE 410 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002 Howard Rich Joseph Stilwell on the Internet at 1-800-733-6440 Donna Weaver Bill Wilson http://www.ustermlimits.org
2 No Uncertain TERMS U.S. Term Limits August 2000 Issue 10 G St., NE Washington, DC 20002 http://www.ustermlimits.org Integrity First Stop the Presses! A Politician Gives Up Power by Paul A. Gigot
Maybe all politicians aren’t scoundrels after all. that would otherwise be safe for incumbents. A few of them even keep their promises. That’s In the usual Beltway precincts, this means the good news you aren’t hearing this year about Republicans are foolishly being hoist on their own the impact of term limits on Congress. petard. But only in Washington are politicians The typical politician-bites-man story is that admired for a cynicism that covets incumbency three members of Congress are breaking the term- over principle. And just because Washington hails limit pledges they used to win third-rate Caesars doesn’t mean office. The trio — Republicans that the rest of us can’t praise a George Nethercutt (Washington) Term-limit retire- Cincinnatus who voluntarily and Scott McInnis (Colorado) and leaves town. Massachusetts Democrat Marty ments are the Consider Charles Canady, who Meehan — deserve every tomato main reason would typically be settling in for thrown their way. a lifetime Washington career. But the man-bites-pol news is there is any real He’s smart and popular in his that 15 other members have electoral compe- mid-Florida district. At just 46 kept, or are keeping, their word years old he already has sub- to surrender power. This honor tition in the stantial seniority and is well- roll includes one Democrat House of Repre- regarded inside the House. But (Oregon’s Elizabeth Furse, who instead he’s going home after left in 1998) and 14 Republicans. sentatives this four eventful terms. Most would have coasted to re- year. “It’s hard to leave. . . . I think election in this incumbent- I am temperamentally suited to friendly year. this job,” the son of a lifelong Even more encouraging, the GOP’s House Democrat says. “But I had made such a clear, majority is also keeping its 1994 Contract With unequivocal commitment.” America promise to limit committee chairs to six Mr. Canady is a walking rebuttal to the claim years. Some bosses are still lobbying for a last- that careers in Congress must be long to be minute reprieve. But the prospect of serving as a consequential. In eight years he has chaired a mere backbencher has already induced several to subcommittee, shepherded a partial-birth abortion retire. ban to a veto-proof majority and voted to im- The result will be a healthy reshuffling of peach a president. congressional power. Bill Archer (Ways and His term-limited status arguably made him more Means) and John Kasich (Budget) will be missed, willing to take political risks than the typical but others (Tom Bliley at Commerce) will vanish careerist. He led the fight against racial prefer- without footprints. For every sage Henry Hyde ences, for example, before his proposal was am- who must step aside (but not retire), there is a bushed in the Judiciary committee by fellow Bud Shuster, whose departure from Transportation Republican George Gekas. (“A mortifying experi- is a taxpayer godsend. ence,” Mr. Canady says.) Term-limit retirements, in fact, are the main Mr. Canady was also among the most impres- reason there is any real electoral competition in sive and eloquent impeachment managers. Indeed, the House of Representatives this year. Democrats continued on page 4 have a shot at taking at least six GOP-held seats
August 2000 Issue No Uncertain TERMS U.S. Term Limits 3 10 G St., NE Washington, DC 20002 http://www.ustermlimits.org Nebraska Initiative in 1994, term limits were again unconstitutional by the U.S. Qualifies for Ballot passed by a margin of 70 Supreme Court in 1995’s U.S. continued from page 1 percent. Term Limits vs. Thornton case. However, the past initiatives But Nebraskans for Limited have the opportunity to vote have been thwarted by techni- Terms have once again com- on the initiative, they’ll triumph calities. After the 1992 initiative manded the government’s and mark a new era in state passed, the Nebraska Supreme attention. Incumbent legislators government. Court threw it out two years and politicians with a strangle- Nebraskans have made it clear later due to confusion over hold on state politics may soon they support term limits. Earlier whether they needed signatures be ousted, opening seats for this year, Rasmussen Research from 10 percent of registered citizen legislators. Nebraska conducted a study of Nebraska voters or just 10 percent of the now has the opportunity to join voters and found that support votes cast for governor. The 1994 the other 18 state legislatures for term limits was nearly 70 initiative, which sought to limit with term limits, including its percent. And in previous initia- the terms of Nebraska’s congres- neighbors, Colorado, Wyoming, tives, one in 1992 and another sional delegation, was declared South Dakota, and Missouri. continued from page 3 to careerists who can wait out going to have to be incremen- it’s probably no accident that, spasms of reform. Thus have tal.” Which sounds a lot like the with the exception of Mr. Hyde, the spenders in Congress George W. Bush campaign. all of the most impressive outlasted such term-limited Mr. Canady says it’s unlikely impeachment managers were budget-cutters as Oklahoma’s he’ll ever run for office again. younger members. They were Tom Coburn. He could have run for Florida liberated to worry more about But Mr. Canady says not to Sen. Connie Mack’s open Senate history than about the voters. worry. “I think we have done a seat but quips that “I’ve been in The Florida lawyer now the Senate. It’s not worth displays impeachment it.” memorabilia in his office — The GOPs House majority He has already taken a including a manager’s chair is keeping its 1994 Con- job next year as Florida from the Senate trial. He Gov. Jeb Bush’s general has no regrets over the tract With America prom- counsel. But why not a episode, musing that the ise to limit committee similar job for another public’s final impeachment Bush? George W.’s short verdict won’t be rendered chairs to six years. The list for attorney general until Election Day. “It may prospect of serving as a includes GOP Govs. Frank be reflected in votes cast Keating (Oklahoma) and against Al Gore,” he says. mere backbencher has al- Jim Gilmore (Virginia). But What else has he learned? ready induced several to if the Texas governor wins “We do better when we and wants to send an show a little patience and retire. The result will be a ethics message after the humility,” he says about healthy reshuffling of con- Clinton years, he might Republicans. “We shouldn’t add Mr. Canady. have been so full of our- gressional power. What better antidote to selves in 1995. a president who broke his This reflects the paradox of respectable job given what the word in order to retain power term limits, which is that by American people want,” he says. than an attorney general who definition they inspire an impa- “The country does not want to kept his word even though it tience often ill-suited to the U.S. see a significant shrinkage of cost him power? system of checks and balances. the federal government.” So any This gives a built-in advantage successful reform strategy “is Excerpted from the Wall Street Journal
4 No Uncertain TERMS U.S. Term Limits August 2000 Issue 10 G St., NE Washington, DC 20002 http://www.ustermlimits.org (Spokane, WA)
The Spokesman-Review Reprinted from
The Weekly Radio Commentary of COMMON the U.S. Term Limits Foundation SENSE by Paul Jacob “Candy Store”
When money was tight money to fund our dreams? If we do, so do the the career politicians in millionaire ball club owners who want their stadiums Washington were spending it like there was no built at taxpayer expense. tomorrow. Now with a surplus — watch out! Jeff Flake, a congressional candidates who has There are lots of “good ideas” in this world. Of signed the term limits pledge, says that, “If anybody course, since every good idea costs money — except can conclude that spending public money on a football maybe one — we can't afford to do everything for stadium is OK at the local level, then heaven knows everyone. But sometimes government thinks it can. what they would do at the federal level in that candy Who can be against a new hospital? More money store.” Those, like Flake, who don’t want a political for the needy? Higher pay for soldiers, and teachers, career sure are a lot better at saying NO to demands and policemen? Shouldn’t we fund NASA and reach for more candy. for the stars? Find cures for diseases! A chicken in Here’s another idea: maybe folks should pay their every pot. A computer for every child! End poverty! own way in life and not be dependent on Abolish unemployment and mandate eternal happiness government. Hmmm, I like that one. for all! Does your local radio station carry COMMON SENSE? Swell ideas, each of them. But we have to ask If not, ask them to call 1-800-733-6440 for a FREE subscription. ourselves a question: Do we have the right, Provided to radio stations three times a week. constitutional or moral right, to spend our neighbor’s
August 2000 Issue No Uncertain TERMS U.S. Term Limits 5 10 G St., NE Washington, DC 20002 http://www.ustermlimits.org They Said It Turning Seniority On Its Head Is There Life After Politics? “Term limits are working in California. Since term limits took effect in 1996, we’ve seen the irk Profit and Mary Schroer were two of Legislature’s seniority system turned on its head, “K the 64 members of the first class of state lawmakers and a new, more diverse breed of legislators dis- who were expelled from office in 1998, not by place the old bulls typified by former Speaker Willie disgruntled voters or scandal but by term limits. Brown. Some term-limited legislators are making the “But the former lawmakers have found there is democratic process here in the California Republic life after the Legislature even though they both say more competitive by running for other offices, while they would have sought another term. They’ve others are (gasp!) actually returning to live under landed jobs, returned to school and have newfound the laws they put into place.” time for family.” —The Orange County Register —Ann Arbor News (Ann Arbor, MI) July 9, 2000 July 13, 2000
Now lets be honest. The election of a new mayor and 11 new members of the council is one of those prospects which is far from terri- fying. It is an event that some people might find positively appealing. After all, when state vot- ers first approved term limits years ago, they were specifically intended to produce transfu- sions of new political blood to government enti- ties like the Denver City Council. Denver Post July 19, 2000
Immediate Participation Avoiding a pork-barrel ethos “’When I first came to the Senate, the best advice I got for the first year was if you ever have “[Political columnist Robert] Novak’s position the inclination to say something, don’t,’ [President Pro on term limits is . . . bold. By ridding Congress of Tem of the Idaho State Senate Robert Geddes] said. career politicians, term limits would enable the “New members were expected to show up, sit election of citizen legislators who aren’t afraid of down and shut up, Geddes said. controversy and who haven’t yet bought into “’With term limits being a possibility, legislators Washington’s pork-barrel ethos.” who are elected feel they don’t have time to sit —American Spectator through that learning process without being actively June 22, 2000 involved and participating in that process,’ he said.” —Coeur D’Alene Press (Coeur D’Alene, ID) June 21, 2000
6 No Uncertain TERMS U.S. Term Limits August 2000 Issue 10 G St., NE Washington, DC 20002 http://www.ustermlimits.org Candidate Spotlight: Ted House Missouri Congressional District 2 Standing Up For Liberty
Retiring from the state Senate because of legisla- disgrace. It is an tive term limits, Missouri Democrat Ted House immoral imposition joins many state officeholders around the country upon our grandchil- who are seeking higher office as their term limits dren and it must be laws kick in. House is running for an open seat in remedied.” Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District that was While serving in vacated by Republican Jim Talent, who is running Missouri’s state for Governor, and who was also a self-limiter. Senate, House called Many politicians who leave office because of for cutting the term limits are bitter, but House has gone the federal budget and extra mile by voluntarily promising to limit his curbing “dependency Ted House own time in Congress by signing the U.S. Term on government,” and Limits pledge. is well-known for his work to improve schools and Among his many goals, House intends to work lower crime rates. toward making Congress fiscally responsible, one In 1992, by initiative, Missouri capped legislative of the earmarks of other citizen legislators. tenures with a landslide 75% approval. Despite “I will fight to cut federal taxes and to maintain such public support for term limits, earlier this a balanced budget even if the economic expansion year the legislature attempted to overturn the law. does not continue at its current pace,” he said. Luckily for voters, House saw through this self- “Our five trillion-dollar national debt is a national serving ploy and was instrumental in defeating the legislature’s attempts. “I can’t think of anything the Missouri legislature could do that would fuel I will fight to cut federal cynicism, distrust and apathy more than to erode or weaken term limits,” he said. taxes and to maintain a A lifelong Missourian who was born the son of balanced budget even if the school teachers, House has proven throughout his career that he’s a man of integrity who will fight economic expansion does for what he believes is right. He has sponsored not continue at its current legislation that provided welfare reform and tax credits for maternity homes and domestic violence pace. Our five trillion-dollar shelters. Recognizing that term limits have helped national debt is a national him make tough choices on controversial issues, House stood up to Missouri Leadership several disgrace. It is an immoral times, saying, “I will stand up for not just some, imposition upon our but all of the liberties contained in the Bill of Rights, and I will fight for equal opportunities for grandchildren and it must every citizen of our nation.” be remedied. Like other self-limiters, House believes in making government accountable to the people, instead of the people being accountable to government. He Ted House believes that the best way to heal Washington is candidate for Missouris by starting at home, briefly serving in Washington, and then returning home to wage the battle as a 2nd Congressional District citizen.
August 2000 Issue No Uncertain TERMS U.S. Term Limits 7 10 G St., NE Washington, DC 20002 http://www.ustermlimits.org The Weasel King
Fire and Thunder, Bubble and Squeak by Wesley Pruden
George Nethercutt is the poster members who ran in ‘94 on his unknown to Weasel King. boy of the fragile Republican sacred word that he would get out Further rising to take the bait, majority in the House of Represen- and go home after three terms and Mr. Nethercutt is making himself tatives. He’s what the Great Revolu- who now dismisses all that as a the issue in his campaign with tion of ‘94 was all about — and joke on whoever was dumb enough radio commercials accusing U.S. what that revolution has dwindled to believe him. The other two are Term Limits of “lying” and “distort- away to in the double aughts. Martin Meehan of Massachusetts, a ing” his record. He has even Mr. Nethercutt was the giant Democrat, and Scott McInnis of described Paul Jacob, president of killer of Spokane, the man who Colorado, a Republican. U.S. Term Limits, as “as convicted bounced Tom Foley, the Democratic “Of the three who broke their felon who served a long prison speaker of the House, out of office promises, George Nethercutt is the sentence.” Mr. Jacob, who says he with the cry that the speaker was one who far and away made the does not believe in forced military out of tune, out of touch and out pledge a central issue in his cam- service, served 5 1/2 months — of gas. months, not years — in prison in Elect him instead, Mr. Nethercutt 1980 after refusing to register for a said, and he would serve three Mr. Nethercutt nonexistent draft. terms and return to Spokane. Term Mr. Nethercutt may continue to limits, he said without equivocation, has survived his get the last laugh. His consultants was the only way to return the are confident that his constituents House to the people. three terms and, have short attention spans and may Well, that was then, and this is just like Tom not be conscious enough to remem- now. The giant killer with the big ber what happened way back in a noise has shrunk to an anxious Foley before him, previous century. “I think term incumbent on whom the frightened is terrified of limits as an issue has receded in and frail Republican majority is voters’ minds,” says Brett Bader, a counting for mere survival. Mr. having to go Republican political consultant. “It’s Nethercutt has served his three still a concept they tend to support, terms and, just like Tom Foley home and get a but it’s no longer something folks before him, he’s terrified of having job. feel must be accomplished this to go home and get a job. He never year.” bothered to encourage a successor. Mr. Nethercutt is a perfect Naturally, he doesn’t put it quite paign,” says a spokesman for U.S. emblem of the Republican campaign that way. Selfless pols never do. Term Limits, which campaigned for for the House. The Republicans He’s running for a fourth term not the three in ‘94, but which now, took the House in ‘94 by drawing a because he wants to or because sticking to principle, opposes all vivid line between themselves and there’s anything in it for him, but three. the Democrats, promising that because it’s “best for the district.” U.S. Term Limits is making Mr. things would be different if the “It would be easiest to say the Nethercutt a particular target. The Republicans controlled the House. heck with it and not run,” he says. organization brought to life Garry The voters, no doubt in a different “But I feel an obligation to finish Trudeau’s cartoon figure, “Weasel mood than they’re in this year, some of the things I’ve started. The King,” which is based on Mr. responded with a mandate of fire farm bill and sanctions relief.” (Not Nethercutt and his broken promise. and thunder. The Groggy Old Party to mention the struggle for Na- Weasel King has been following spent the mandate in six months tional Clean-up, Paint-up, Fix-up him around his district in costume, and the fire and thunder have Week, Ingrown Toenail Awareness applying the needle successfully become a tiny bubble and an Month, and maybe a Worthwhile enough that the Nethercutt staff occasional squeak. Canadian Initiative.) tries to slip their candidate in and Mr. Nethercutt is one of three out of Spokane at odd times Excerpted from the Washington Times
8 No Uncertain TERMS U.S. Term Limits August 2000 Issue 10 G St., NE Washington, DC 20002 http://www.ustermlimits.org