Because good leaders aren't a dime-a-dozen:
...Term limits are undeniably seductive. They seem to promise relief from mediocre, self-perpetuating incumbents and from gridlocked legislatures in places like Albany. They also diminish democracy, arbitrarily deny choice, reduce accountability and squander experience.The deceptive charm of term limits is that they automatically purge the system of rascally politicians. But democracy vests that power in every citizen who chooses to vote. Meanwhile, of course, term limits automatically retire excellent public servants whose instincts and experience are not easily replaced. Their future should also rest with the voters. [NYT Editorial, "The Seductive Charms of Term Limits", June 9, 2008]
Term-limits are completely anti-progressive and anti-democratic in nature.
They’re anti-progressive because often it’s the seniority of a progressive, as measured by name-recognition and personal organization, that makes the difference in the face of far better financed rivals.
They’re anti-democratic because they deny the kind of collective institutional knowledge that can come in handy in moments of crisis.
Whatever you think of democracy, it’s not served by a perpetual wave of rookies.
[h/t Pushback]
