California has been in a state of political tumult since 1996. A series of crises weakened the state’s financial stability and the morale of its people. From the 2000 and 2001 power blackouts to businesses fleeing the state to escape exorbitant workers’ compensation premiums to the legislature’s continued inability to pass a budget on time, California represents the antithesis of effective, efficient state governance. So what is the problem? In 1996, term limits took effect in California. This created the revolving-door legislature of today, characterized by a perpetual leadership vacuum, with legislators coming and going quickly. Building consensus toward long-term, positive goal attainment becomes nearly impossible. Also in 1996, the legislature unanimously passed a bill that deregulated the electricity industry. The legislators who crafted and approved that bipartisan bill did not anticipate the disastrous consequences manifested in the state’s energy crisis four years later. Many of them were long gone from state politics before its negative impacts unfolded. Could this lack of long-term legislative ownership have played a role in the shoddy construction of the deregulation bill? Did the inexperienced law makers who inherited the subsequent energy crisis have sufficient political muscle against special interest groups to handle such a debacle? Did then-Governor Davis’ relationship with energy industry stakeholders render these legislators even more inept? Similarly, political pundits investigate the impact term limits have on other state problems like workers’ compensation, health care, education, and multi-billion dollar budget deficit. While nothing new, the debate over term limits still remains. The universal goal behind constitutionally imposed term limits has always been to end political careerism, facilitating opportunities for new and diverse individuals to serve. Pros and cons appear equally valid and this issue will forever be a provocative, salient topic of discussion of politicos and political scientists alike. But such debate tends to obfuscate a more fundamental consideration. Why do we need term limits in the first place? Simple – voter apathy. And the excuses are as lame as they are sophomoric: “I don’t have the time.” “Nothing will ever change.” “My vote doesn’t count.” Legitimate concern exists that term limits exacerbate non-participatory attitudes toward voting. |
Think your vote does not count in California? Consider three assembly seat races in the 2004 primary: In the 69th Assembly District, the Democrat and Republican candidates were separated by only 365 votes; in the 30th District, by only 296 votes; and in the 80th District, by a mere 85 votes. For these six candidates, voter participation in the November 2004 general election is not just an important thing, it is the only thing. Proponents argue term limits are necessary to remove career politicians entrenched in their offices. Tell that to California Congresswoman Hilda Solis (APU’s own area representative) who, with the help of a disenfranchised constituency, ousted 20-year Congressman Matthew “Marty” Martinez in the 2000 primary. Clearly, voters can unite against “political machines” when they simply exercise their responsibility to vote. Notwithstanding the term limits issue, voter apathy remains more insidious than most people realize. Characteristically, the most participatory factions of political parties, albeit few in numbers, are the most extreme. When more centrist participation in the political process does not temper such zealousness, our state and nation polarize. Politicians should be responsible to a variety of political stakeholders. If 70 percent of the constituency does not vote, is it any wonder that lobbyists and the special interest groups they represent have the most political juice? Before lamenting the “state of the state” or the quality of its legislators, Californians should demonstrate they actually care. The next opportunity will be on November 2, 2004. Take it. Chris Carlos ’01, M.A. ’03, is chief of staff to the assistant
majority leader of the California State Assembly. He is currently working
on an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership at Pepperdine University. |
