Political games

Politicians, pundits - and the people - have been watching the latest political game as it is being waged in sound bites, speeches and now television commercials. The game is the bizarre attempt to overturn the 15-year-old term limits law, ignoring the will of the people who twice voted that “eight is enough.”
In 1993, the group New Yorkers for Term Limits (NYTL) led a successful campaign to codify the city term limits law, which states that local officeholders can run for no more than two four-year terms. The group was funded and led by Ronald Lauder, the billionaire cosmetics heir, who defended the law again in 1996 when incumbents and special interest groups fought to add a third term.
Term limits were thus set by referenda in 1993 and again in 1996 by the voters who decided that two terms were enough. That is the law and has been since 2001.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg knew the handwriting was on the wall and even installed clocks in numerous agency offices, counting down to December 31, 2009, when his two terms in office will end.
The game began with small volleys, ideas spoken aloud in rooms full of policy makers and columnists. In a complete policy turnaround, Hizzoner has craftily indicated that he might not object if the city council magically extended term limits to a third four-year-term.
On June 9, in response to rumors that Bloomberg and members of the city council were interested in changing the law, the group NYTL polled 600 likely voters in New York City by phone to gauge what they thought of the term limits law. An overwhelming 73 to 22 percent of voters supported having term limits. Additionally, 61 to 29 percent were against changing it.
“This is reflective of the New York City voting population,” said NYTL Executive Director Allen Roth. “We wanted to demonstrate the views of the citizens. They said ‘no’ [to new term limits].”
Lauder has stepped forward to defend the law he financed and funded a series of television commercials against changing the law. Labeled “Friendly Reminder,” the first one that has aired compares politicians to a lot of diapers - saying they all need to be changed - regularly, and for the same reason.
The ad points out city council missteps like tax hikes and the budget “slush fund scandal,” are paid for by the NYTL, and will appear on their web site too.
The citizens group credits term limits with introducing diversity and competition to local elections. Term limits provide opportunities for creative, motivated citizens, rather than “career politicians,” to run.
Weighing in for a round or two of the term limits game are Councilmembers G. Oliver Koppell of the Bronx who may introduce a bill to soften - read that to mean EXTEND - term limits and David I. Weprin who would introduce a bill that would require a referendum to change the city’s term limits law.
Meanwhile, various citizens groups were quick to point out the obvious flaws in any such plans to usurp the voter’s rights. Lines are being drawn in the sand. Billionaires are readying their checkbooks. We say the people have spoken. Let the games end.