Lobbyists, term limits

Dear Editor,

The issue of term limits was something that should have never been brought before the voters of Nebraska. Mr. Rathjen's letter of 24 Feb 5 ("Arrogant legislators" (http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1089948.html), failed to clarify a couple of issues.

First, lobbying is a highly effective way to persuade people to your cause.

By telling the people of Nebraska that term limits were needed to get rid of all the bad and evil politicians, emotions were played upon and term limits won. These lobbyists were from out of state and did a great job of telling us what was in our best interest.

We would not appreciate the Omaha City Council telling us how to run McCook and I don't see why people who don't live in Nebraska should be telling us how to run our government. Secondly, we already had term limits in effect.

It is called VOTING. By enacting term limits, people like Mr. Rathjen have taken away my right to choose whom I wish to represent me. Thanks. What other democratic right will be taken away next, because you think you know what is best f0r me?

How many lobbyists do you see campaigning for more people to participate in the democratic process? In closing, yes it would be wrong for Nebraska legislators to throw out what the voters want, but in this case, they would be correcting a violation of our basic rights.

David C. McConnell

via e-mail