Thank God For Term Limits

I'm ambivalent about term limits, but knowing that our very own Wes Chesbro is prohibited by law from another term as State Senator certainly makes me grateful for them, at least in this instance. I'm sure my joy will be short lived as we can be sure someone just as much in adoration of the State will take his place. Anyone know if there are any local Democrats eyeing that seat?

But, alas, term limits works both ways. The few half decent legislators we have in the state legislature are also subject to term limits. State Senator Ray Haynes got termed out but managed to stick around by getting elected to a seat in the State Assembly. One libertarian favorite, Senator Tom McClintock, faces losing his seat as well, although I'm not sure when his term will be up. Of course, he'll be running for Lieutenant Governer this year, but I doubt he'll win.

For those of you enamored of Wes Chesbro, fear not; he's sure to show up again somewhere in the political field. That E/R article mentions him possibly running for State Assembly in 2008 and he might well win. I've also heard someone suggest he might take Dan Hauser's place as City Manager of Arcata. I would think that probable but also think that position doesn't have the power that Chesbro is accostumed to. If he goes for the City Manager job, I suspect it will only be temporary.

Bottom line is that term limits are a double edged sword: Both good and bad legislators are termed out of office and, often, are replaced by someone just as good or bad as they were. The termed out legislators often find some other way to get back into a position of power by taking either another elected position or some high paying appointment. They're almost always heard from again.