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As many of you know, I have long been supportive of term limits. When I first ran for public office (Congress in 1988) I championed term limits. Later, after being elected Mayor of Raleigh, I tried to get the Raleigh City Council to impose term limits on itself. I was not successful in that effort either, but I have always believed that term limits were essential to good government.
The Founding Fathers envisioned a part time citizen legislature, not a full time professional class of politician. Politicians whose principal priority is keeping their job rather than doing their job are the reason the state of governance in America is in such bad shape.
The 1994 Contract with America led to the election of a Republican majority in the House of Representatives and the successful implementation of many much-needed reforms - with one notable exception - term limits. Despite the fact that public opinion surveys routinely show that 2/3's to 3/4's of the American people support term limits, they have not been enacted at the federal level (some states have enacted term limits).
Now, I'm proud to say a group of North Carolinians have formed a tax advantaged 501(c)(3), the Alliance for Bonded Term Limits, which seeks to educate voters about a method by which federal candidates could pledge to limit their own terms. Their pledge would have credibility because it would be backed by the candidate's purchase of a performance bond, secured by a meaningful portion of his or her own personal assets. The bond's value would be forfeited to charity if the candidate breaks their term limit pledges.
The group of North Carolinians who came up with this revolutionary concept is led by a man with whom I am well-acquainted- John Skvarla. John is equally known for his integrity, entrepreneurial innovation and business acumen.
I believe the bonded term limit idea has a great deal of merit. I strongly urge your vigorous support of this new and refreshing organization. Give them your ideas and give them your financial support. They will use both to build a better organization dedicated to a more informed voter.
The Alliance for Bonded Term Limits web address is www.bondedtermlimits.org and you can sign up just to receive information or to make a donation with a credit card. They currently operate from a small office in the Theater Building in Old Town Pinehurst. Call them at 910-420-2753 or FAX them at 910-420-2756.
Tom Fetzer
NCGOP Chairman
