After all of these years, I am still not in favor of term limits. Having inexperienced legislators has made the lobbyists, bureaucrats, and special interests the real powers in Jefferson City. But how can you argue that the end of Jones' term as speaker is going to be a moment for celebration?
Consider the following:
-Jones is wasting money with yet another grandstanding committee, this one to examine the overreach of state and federal government.
-At the same time Jones is appointing this committee, he is providing a prime example of overreach by insisting that careful consideration will be given to the impeachment of Gov. Jay Nixon for deciding that Missouri's gay couples can file joint tax returns. Hoe much taxpayer money is going to be wasted on this impeachment nonsense?
-While Tim Jones and his Republican colleagues are offended that Nixon has rejected the will of Missouri voters who decided in 2004 that marriage is only between a man and a woman, he has no problems with his party overruling the will of the people on conceal-carry, which was rejected in a statewide vote, or on campaign contribution limits.
-When it comes to Nixon, Tim Jones thinks it is horrendous that the governor is violating the state constitution, yet Jones has no problem when he and his GOP colleagues file bill. after bill saying they will not follow federal gun laws or any other federal law that does not agree with their political philosophy.
I sometimes wonder if it is term limits that has made the ascension of people like Tim Jones possible. The Missouri House of Representatives has more lightweights than the Golden Gloves.
But if you want to make a solid argument for term limits, I can sum it up in two words- Tim Jones.
1 comment:
You are spot on with this post. Every word.
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