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Another try to rid state of that pesky democracy

By HOWARD TROXLER
Published February 13, 2005

The speaker of our state House, Allan Bense of Panama City, says Florida should extend its term limits for legislators from eight years to 12.

To this proposal, I would like to get about a million folks together, climb up on a really tall ladder and lead a big fat Bronx cheer.

Pppppppppppffffffffffffftttttt!

I know, I know. A lot of smart people agree term limits have been bad for the Legislature. They have speeded up the raw ambition and the money-grubbing.

And yes, there is less institutional knowledge in the Legislature. There are no smart folks around to say, "We tried this same dumb idea years ago, and it didn't work then either."

But here's the problem.

At the same time, the Florida Legislature has gotten things rigged so well that its members cannot be defeated.

The Legislature draws its own districts. The district maps are skewed so each party has mostly safe seats.

Not an accusation. Fact.

Here is how many members of the Legislature were defeated last year:

Zero.

The Commies in Russia had a better democracy. So did the Mongols under Genghis Khan. We do not have a democracy. We have a royal, imperial Legislature.

Twelve year "term limits" means automatic 12-year terms.

So, tell ya what, Mr. Speaker.

For you, I will happily lead a campaign to repeal term limits altogether.

On one condition: that you first put on the ballot an amendment to our Constitution for an independent panel to draw fair, competitive districts for Congress and the Legislature.

Your amendment has to include the provision that the maps can be thrown out in court if they were influenced by political advantage over pure demographic factors. You got smart lawyers; you can figure out the right words.

What say?

Tom Lee, the new president of the Florida Senate, has got a reform streak in him. Remember he recently said he wants to kick registered lobbyists off the boards that oversee Florida's universities.

This past week, Lee threw another curve toward Tallahassee's lobbying corps by saying lobbyists should have to report how much they get paid by their clients to try to influence legislation.

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but - who cares? It would only depress me to learn how much lobbyists make.

What would be USEFUL would be Lee's other idea of making lobbyists report how much they spend on each individual legislator, by name, and for what.

Make them tell every lobster dinner, every bottle of liquor, every Christmas card. It would open the eyes of the public. It would open the eyes of the Legislature. Heck, I'll bet it would open the eyes of the clients, too. Ha!

The Florida National Guard took quick action after Thursday's column, which said some students at Dunedin High School thought a recruiter had promised them they wouldn't have to leave Florida.

Whether anybody said such a thing, or whether it was just something that students misunderstood, Guard officials said they wanted to make sure the record is straight. Free college tuition, yes. A promise of staying at home - no.

On Friday, statewide Guard officials visited school principal Mildred Reed and parent Laramie Misner, who had complained about the incident. The Guard also e-mailed a letter of apology to Pinellas School Board members.

"We only seek to enlist those who are fully informed and understand the implications of their decisions," wrote Brig. Gen. Michael P. Fleming, assistant adjutant general of the Florida Army National Guard. "Vague and misleading responses to questions are absolutely unacceptable ...

"I will be meeting with our recruiting force to ensure they are fully aware of their responsibilities. We are extremely proud of the patriotism of Florida's youth and their commitment to serving our state and nation. Again, we offer our deepest regrets."

[Last modified February 13, 2005, 01:06:05]