I want to be clear when I say that term limits are a clumsy instrument. Nonetheless, with gerrymandered incumbency being such a problem (ever seen an outline of your district and wondered what drug-addled fool designed it? No fool, he, I assure you!), voter “choice” has to take a back seat to preserving a shot at real representation.
That’s exactly what the term limits law in New York City is about–deliberately sacrificing “choice” in favor of upholding a shot at real representation. Almost half of our City Council is minority, and, under the old rule, would have to flourish elsewhere at the end of their two terms.
Christine Quinn–who was against term limits, flipped, and has now flipped back–dressed up this particular pig in colors of choice. With that kind of flip record, I need to remind the young Ms. Quinn that term limits are designed to protect the electorate from politicians like her. What do you say about a person who says one thing and then does another? Go ahead and call Ms. Quinn what she is.
My own City Councilman, David Yassky, was mum on his vote just a week ago. I will call his office and demand an explanation later today. I’ll put in an account of his reasoning as soon as I can get a hold of someone who will be quoted.
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