In the flowery lingo of 1787, my favorite founding father, Ben Franklin said, “In free governments, the rulers are the servants and the people their superiors and sovereigns. For the former, therefore, to return among the latter is not to degrade but to promote them.” He was talking about term limits.
President George Washington took his advice, endorsing term limits by refusing to run for a third term in 1797.
In Maryland, the governor is limited to two terms, but no limits exist for many other state and local positions.
U.S. Term Limits asks those seeking office to sign a pledge, ” ? to be a citizen legislator, not a career politician ? ” Has anyone signed it? Many posture and bloviate about this lofty concept, but once elected, almost no one lives by it. Leaders get comfortable ? especially with the perks.
As a former aide, I know that everyone arrives for meetings 15 minutes before elected leaders. People rise when they enter the room and address them as honorable; drivers chauffeur them. Some have impressive license plates with seals and low numbers. Officials get used to us wanting to touch the hems of their garments for some sort of healing remedy.
When it?s time to run again, the temptation is to believe: “I can?t leave. People need me. I have unfinished work to do.”
It?s understandable.
Recently, I met Doug Riley, Republican candidate for State Senate in the 42nd Legislative District. I browsed through his brochure. Wait. What was this? In 1990, he pledged to serve only two terms if elected to the Baltimore County Council. In the eight years he served, Doug founded and implemented the Towson Community Plan for growth and development and the Town and Gown Committee to resolve student/resident issues. He was dubbed “Father of the Towson Roundabout,” preserver of hundreds of acres of open space and tackler of school overcrowding, spearheading renovation of Towson High and reopening Cromwell and Lutherville Elementary Schools. Then in 1998 he honored his pledge and returned voluntarily to life as a regular citizen.
I looked at Riley the way a shocked scientist might view a species thought to have gone extinct.
I asked from where he had drawn the strength and discipline to honor his two-term pledge? Well, as a former Eagle Scout, of course. The Boy Scouts of America?s values-based program works.
Now a BSA Board Member, Riley explained that you?re taught and prepared to do your duty, honor those for whom you work, carry out your promises and most importantly, practice the principle of “Leave No Trace.” This means create no messes to leave behind at the campsite ? or in politics.
Riley began his career as a trial lawyer and Lieutenant in the Navy JAG Corps, from 1980 to 1983. I didn?t have to ask what the Judge Advocate General?s Corps was. I had watched the popular CBS show and thought I detected a resemblance to TV Navy Cmdr. Harmon Rabb.
I questioned Riley about how it felt in 1998 to return to life outside politics.
“It was a valuable lesson in humility,” he said. It?s not easy to listen to the sound of index cards bearing your name being ripped from everybody?s Rolodex, he explained.
It reminded me of a complaint former Mayor Thomas J. D?Alesandro III laughingly shared with me. One week after announcing he would not run for re-election, his Orioles and Colts VIP stadium parking passes were revoked.
Now Riley wants to serve as Maryland State Senator from the 42nd Legislative District. I like the idea of a leader who has his priorities straight and places our well-being as citizens first as he decides for us in Annapolis.
Stephanie Esworthy was director of Media and Public Relations and the Baltimore City Film Commission for former Mayors William Donald Schaefer and the late Clarence “Du” Burns and served as head of Baltimore City?s Bureau of Music in every city administration since Mayor Theodore R. McKeldin. Her personal experiences in local politics started in the early 1950s as the daughter of state?s attorney and chief judge of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Anselm Sodaro, now deceased. She may be reached at [email protected].
