Lack of turnover in elected offices has converted campaigns into “King of the Mountain” games that destroy the public’s chances of repairing broken governments.

 “I, Gene L. Baldassari, declare and pledge to the Citizens of New Jersey: I will serve in the New Jersey State Assembly for a maximum of two terms”.

The nature of political office requires politicians to assist others. Of course, this can be beneficial to the public if the “favors” do not cheat those who should be properly represented.

Consequently, the longer a politician is allowed to remain in office, the more “friends” attach themselves to him or her. Sometimes, the recipients of these favors are voters, lobbyists, and other special interest groups that are not generally citizen oriented.  Eventually, a system is developed that offers an unfair re-election advantage to the incumbent.

Unfortunately, officials get stale when they become comfortable in their positions.  They continue to build their arsenal of friends and strengthen their good ‘ole boy networks.  According to the US Term Limits Association, this causes them to develop a pattern of behavior that usually moves them away from representing the general public in favor of the power circle that they created. 

That was the original reason for term limits on Presidents, Governors, and some Mayors. That is also the reason why we should require term limits on all State and Federal legislators. 

The US Term Limits Association conducted a study a few years ago, which indicated that freshly elected public officials are less likely to waste money, more responsive to voters needs, and less likely to become corrupted.

No one owns an elected position. No one should be allowed to rely on his or her re-election. The government belongs to Citizens. A guaranteed constant turnover is the only way to inject fresh ideas and new energy in each position. This is a fundamental need that would help fix New Jersey and America.

I, Gene Baldassari, support legislation that would require mandatory term limits for all State elected officials in New Jersey. I also support a U.S. Constitutional amendment that would require term limits for all U.S. Congressmen and Senators. 

Until a permanent term limit law is enacted, the only practical way to remove stale politicians is for voters to ask each candidate to take a term limit pledge. And voters should enforce it. 

I have taken a term limit pledge. I will run for the Assembly for a maximum of two terms – a total four consecutive years in the Assembly.  Can anyone else running in New Jersey’s 14th District claim this?

                                          – Gene