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Published on: 7/22/2007
Last Visited: 7/22/2007
Hancock: Term limits not working as intended
I read the three words and knew I had to talk to Mel Hancock.
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Hancock, one of the state's true conservative icons, was one of the key forces behind passing term limits in the state.He imposed term limits on himself as a congressman, coming home to Springfield in 1997 of his own accord to go back to being a private citizen, running his business and appreciating his 30 acres of walnut trees.
Hancock, a student of history, doesn't change positions easily.He came to endorse term limits in part because of the writings in Cato's Letters, including a passage that so clearly foresaw the dangers of politicians who get drunk with power:
"But the Possession of Power soon alters and vitiates their Hearts, which are at the same time sure be leavened, and puffed up to an unnatureal Size, by the deceitful Incense of False Friends, and the prostrate Submission of Parasites," says one of the key passages.
As a congressman, Hancock was respected by those who elected him, and despised by the parasites, because he refused to play the games that today are commonplace in our halls of power.Hancock proudly fought off the urge to play the earmark game even though powerful local interests expected that out of their congressmen.He successfully led a state campaign to pass a constitutional amendment that bears his name that limits the ability of the government in the state of Missouri to grow without asking citizens first for permission.
It was along this same line of conservative thought that Hancock espoused the idea of term limits.
He sits today in his home office, located in the nondescript white outbuilding in his backyard.It's about the size of a typical backyard shed.It's the building where he launched his business.Now he spends his days rereading the Federalist Papers and following the events of the state and world through his computer.Asked when he changed his mind on term limits, he turns to his wife of more than 50 years and asks.It was about two years ago, she says, leaning back in a rocking chair.
Hancock looks at the recent resignation of House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden, who's giving up the office the people of his district elected him to, so he can become a lobbyist.The thought is revolting to him.
"They are lobbying from the instant they get out," he says of far too many outgoing elected officials."I think some of them are lobbying for these jobs before they leave."
The culprit, and the reason Hancock has changed his mind about term limits, is the same old target he's had from the beginning of his political career.Big government.
"What I didn't recognize is how big government had grown," Hancock says.He thumbs through his paperback version of the Federalist Papers and recalls the founding fathers' vision."They didn't envision that government would overwhelm a free society and that's what's going on."
Part of the solution , at least at the state level , Hancock now believes, is to get rid of the term limits that help encourage the flow of government officials into cushy jobs where they work to make government even bigger.He'd like to see a few more mavericks, elected officials who can establish a sense of independence, men and women of maturity, who can avoid the temptations so widespread in the capital city and the D.C. Beltway.
"There are a lot of good people in government," Hancock says."But the good people leave."
Hancock wants some of them to stick around, at least long enough to reduce the size of government, and turn our country back over to the citizens who have been overwhelmed.He'd like to see the state pass a law that would stop the musical chairs from elected official to government job or lobbying job.A two-year moratorium would do the trick, the way he sees it.Hancock would like to see some university study term limits in Missouri.
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I am as far over on the liberal side of the scale as Mel Hancock is conservative.I think the Hancock Amendment, well meaning in intent, has been harmful to the financial health of Missouri.
I have opposed term limits from the start, I could see no end other than the problems of lobbyists replacing knowledgeable staffers in controlling the government.
I respect Mr. Hancock's honestly and love of our state and country.If he has answers to this problem I will certainly listen.
I miss seeing Mr. Hancock and Red Cheney jawing at the donut shop in the mornings.Both Red and the donut shop are now gone.
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