Term limits needed for lawmakers

I am not necessarily a supporter of Bruce Rauner as he seeks the governor's position in Illinois for 2014. I do, however, endorse strongly his recommendation to limit terms in the Illinois legislature for all politicians.

Why are so many current legislators opposed to limits? Because they would be out office and not allowed to be adding to the mess our legislature continues to get Illinois into under the leadership of Madigan.

Madigan, who controls our state legislature by using public funds to fund committee chairman positions for Democrats and Republicans alike, would be the first to go and rightly so. It was no more than announced that Groups in Illinois would fund and house the Obama Library and Madigan pledged $100 million of state funds to help fund the project. Where does a state that can't pay its bills or fund its obligations find $100 million to give away? This proclamation is but one example of why Madigan has to go.

I would go one step beyond Rauner by limiting terms and not permitting crossovers from one branch to the other where they can continue to poison the well in the House and then move to the Senate for another bite of the apple. Knowing our politicians, they would find some way to serve their own best interests and exchange positions, going from the House to the Senate or from the Senate to the House when their terms are up.

It is sad to read of some of the reactions of our politicians who suggest things could be even worse with term limits. That does not speak well of the group we have in office and is even more of a reason for enacting term limits.

Donald Skidmore

Antioch