Term Limits for Philly City Council

Wilson Goode Jr. introduced a very interesting piece of legislation yesterday seeking to impose term limited on members of Philadelphia City Council.  The bill would limit future electees to 3 consecutive 4 year terms (12 years), and allow current members to be elected twice more.  Already, the bill has met staunch opposition from current members who opine that elections are term limits - if they were doing a poor job they would lose.

I am in favor of Goode's bill for the simple reason that in Philadelphia its naive to think that the electorate can impose term limits.  With city politics still dominated by the smoke filled backroom, and old boys club deal making, its extremely difficult for progressive candidates to even get on a ballot, let alone raise enough money or support to unseat an incumbent.  Imposing term limits in a city like Philadelphia will allow more good people to get involved in the political process; it will open the door to fresh ideas, new blood and vigorous debate.  Yes, some very good public servants will see their careers cut short as a result of the term limit, but overall passage of term limits will serve as a good first step to breaking Philly away from the Chicago style of politics.