How long should we guarantee political jobs?

In our government, the voice of the American citizen is heard through the ballot box.

This political process gives the people the power to peacefully overthrow an unwanted government through the democratic process of elections. Never underestimate the power of your right to vote.

I am a student and honors graduate in the discipline of Public Administration. The separation of politics and administration advocated by former President Woodrow Wilson in the late 1800’s, continues to play a significant role in public administration today.

In a really over-simplified nutshell, the theory of Wilsonian public administration embraces the idea that the day-to-day administration of the bureaus of government should be insulated from the politics of those who come and go every four years.

In reality, every four years could be every two years, or eight years, or never. Term limits have been placed on 15 state legislatures, including Florida. Although eight of the ten largest cities in America have adopted term limits for their city commissioners or mayor and 37 states place term limits on their constitutional officers, we do not have either of those conditions in St. Johns County.

American politicians, special interests and lobbyists continue to combat term limits, as they know term limits force out career politicians who are more concerned with their own gain than the interests of the American people.

I’ve heard it said that every town councilman wants to be a congressman; every congressman wants to be a senator; and every Senator wants to be President. That may be an over-simplification as well, however, we are equally un-served if someone monopolizes one government position so long as to lose their allegiance to the people they are supposed to serve.

As I review the actions of Commissioner Phil Mays, who instigated the approval of a $510,000 severance payout to County Administrator Michael Wanchick, I can’t help but feel that the two elected and two appointed commissioners are committing the county to a potential half-million dollar liability using arguments couched in Wilsonian theory, that are, in actuality, entirely political.

“The former commissioner from District 5 has been very vocal about saying he would fire Wanchick once he got in,” commissioner Joseph Ken Bryan alleged during commissioner comments at this week’s meeting. “We’ve heard several confirmed rumors.”

“I’ve heard some things from the political arena that I certainly had no respect for,” County Commission Chairman Ron Sanchez said. “We don’t need sudden changes.”

I say that IF the voters of St. Johns County are dissatisfied with the current administration and want to replace incumbent commissioners — then that is their prerogative. If candidates have made it clear that they represent certain changes, then the voters who elect them are giving a voice to those concerns.

Having commissioners serve four year terms should insure that they keep doing what the voters want them to do. Perhaps term limits for commissioners would guarantee it.

I want a government of the people, by the people, and for the people — not a tyrannical ruling class who care more about their own political benefit, than their constituents.