#NoSafeSeats — An Alternative to Mandated Term Limits

Guest Opinion by Denel Wardell

Disclaimer: this is just my opinion, based on experience and research, intended to spark discussion. All are welcome to read and join in discussions. I ask that you keep it respectful. Please refrain from name-calling and insults. No one can learn from cruel exchange. Also, remember, as this is my opinion, you do not have the right to be offended. If what I write offends you, then please just move on.

#NoSafeSeats

The debate has been ongoing for many years…Term Limits or No Term Limits. I have gone back and forth on this subject. I find as a certain politician irritates me, or watching the geriatrics in politics, I am all for term limits. But then when one does as we have requested, I don’t want to lose them because of term limits. What to do? What to do?

Over the last several weeks we have been dealing with a couple of political battles here in Alabama. Battles we should not have had to fight. After all, Alabama has a Republican supermajority, right? So, as Republicans, I would expect that our representatives would be making decisions that align with Republican values. What I have discovered is that these so-called Republicans have not had to adhere to Republican values. Many of them got into their positions just by bearing an “R” behind their name and then rarely face any challenges. And tactics are used, our own rules twisted, to keep them in power.

At the same time, we are watching geriatric power struggles taking place in DC. Our nation is being torn apart because bloated power-hungry politicians are using cruel tactics and made-up rules to retain or gain power.

Here’s the thing…all of this is ALL our fault…we did this! And term limits would not fix it! But WE CAN fix it!

Every elected office already has a term limit. It is up to us if we give the person holding that office another term. We have 2 chances every term to make the right decision. The first chance is with the Primary Election. But all too often offices go unchallenged. People don’t step up unless someone is either term-limited in offices that have them, or someone announces their retirement, or worse, someone dies. And then the field is flooded.

So, the first thing we need to do is ensure that every office holder has a challenger in the Primary Election. Even if we like the person holding office. Even if we think they are doing a good job.

Why, you ask?

If someone is never challenged, they can become complacent, beginning to believe they are entitled to that position. That’s not too bad, IF they continue to believe and represent what you want. But what happens if their priorities or values change? What if temptation from other powerful people or businesses begins to influence them? Who do they work for then?

If, on the other hand, they are challenged every term, they will have to prove to us they are worthy of retaining their position. Well, as long as we are diligent in evaluating their job performance. Think of it as a work performance review. Just about every employee has periodic reviews.

Remember, every office holder works for us. We decide who stays and who goes. But we must not abdicate this responsibility by not having options. We must hang the HELP WANTED sign every term. We must search for and encourage good potential employees to apply, or consider filling the position ourselves. We must weigh all of our options, educate ourselves on all the candidates, and then choose those who align most closely with our beliefs and values, and who will represent us in the way we wish. And we must be willing to fire them if they don’t.

So, no, I do not believe in mandated term limits. I believe mandated term limits will do two things:

1. It abdicates our responsibility. It will cause us to be complacent, become lazy. We will just let the person in office stay in office until they reach the term limit. Don’t believe me? Look at the geriatrics in DC. Their approval rating is so low. But they are never challenged and never removed. And that is because of our laziness.

2. It limits our voice as the voter. It takes away our option to keep those who do serve us well. Would we give up good office holders in order to be able to remain lazy and not root out the bad ones ourselves? Is that really what we want, or what our Founders intended?

Instead, let’s make sure all office holders are aware of #NoSafeSeats. Let it be known that we will challenge them in every Primary. And let that serve as their Term Limit.

If you are interested in helping with a #NoSafeSeats campaign for the next Primary, please private message me. We cannot wait for the next election cycle before we begin vetting potential candidates in every office that will be up in 2028.

The above was originally published on Facebook, and is republished here with the permission of the author.

Denel Wardell currently serves as President of Republican Women of Franklin County, bringing over 45 years of political experience to the role. Her background includes working on campaigns and participating in numerous activist events, as well as leading conservative organizations. Throughout her career, Wardell has remained dedicated to advancing conservative values and empowering women in politics.

Opinions do not reflect the views and opinions of ALPolitics.com. ALPolitics.com makes no claims nor assumes any responsibility for the information and opinions expressed above.