Rationalized New Arrangement For Those Ol’ Term-Limited Blues

Thu., Feb. 26, 1998

D.F. Oliveria Opinion Writer

Idaho legislators are sneaky buggers.

They want to keep their jobs but they’re afraid to anger constituents by boldly overturning Idaho’s term limits law. So, they’re pushing for a statewide advisory vote to see if they have support for repeal. A measure to stage the vote passed the House Friday 43-24 and now goes to the Senate.

Some solons are convinced Idahoans didn’t intend to limit the terms of local and state officeholders, like them. Instead, legislators feel, voters meant to stop the career politicians in Congress, such as U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho.

If their theory is right, Idahoans apparently made the same mistake twice - overwhelmingly. They approved term limit measures in 1994 and 1996.

I’m not a fan of term limits. I believe voters should have the right to re-elect incumbents for as long as they like. However, I recognize I’m in the minority here - as is the Idaho House of Representatives.

Legislators should leave term limits alone unless they promise to abide by the outcome of the advisory vote. Then, the sneaks behind the advisory approach would know in November, once and for all, if they should start sending out resumes.

Crapo, Mauk are nice guys, but …

U.S. Rep. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, is a sharp guy. So is former state Democratic chairman Bill Mauk.

Both are personable, too. Both are from southern Idaho. Both would like to replace U.S. Sen. Dirk Kempthorne, who likely will become Idaho’s next governor. Both know about water rights. But neither has a good grasp of the problems that the presence of white supremacists causes for North Idaho.

In recent interviews, both blamed the media for North Idaho’s image problem. Never mind that we didn’t invite these guys to move here, nor did we ask them to parade down Sherman Avenue April 18. In fact, we do our best to expose them and to applaud local human-rights activities.

It’d be nice if some statewide leader besides Gov. Phil Batt spoke out against racism.

, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125, or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.

D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125, or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.

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