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The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20180718105217/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1992-10-27/news/9202250950_1_term-limits-national-constitutional-amendment-state-ballots

Vote Yes On Amendment No. 9 To Begin Limiting Political Terms

October 27, 1992

`Eight is Enough,`` Amendment No. 9 on the Florida ballot, is an important political reform that would impose eight-year term limits on elected officeholders.

This measure bans a politician`s name from being listed on the ballot for re- election after eight years in the same office.

It affects the lieutenant governor, 40 state senators, 120 state representatives and the Cabinet offices of attorney general, secretary of state, agriculture commissioner, state treasurer/insurance commissioner, comptroller and education commissioner.

It also affects Florida`s two U.S. senators, who would be allowed to complete two full six-year terms, and 23 Florida U.S. House members to be elected Nov. 3. Only service after Jan. 1, 1993, counts.

Previously, the Sun-Sentinel strongly supported the principle of term limits, but opposed this amendment solely because it used the state Constitution to extend term limits to federal officials.

After reconsidering the pros and cons, the Sun-Sentinel recommends a YES vote on Amendment No. 9, believing state initiatives are the best way to force term limits on the federal government.

Ideally, the U.S. Constitution, not Florida`s, is the proper vehicle to limit congressional terms. But this amendment is less of an attempt to meddle in the U.S. Constitution and more of an extension of current, constitutional state efforts to limit whose name can appear as a federal candidate on state ballots, such as by requiring filing fees or petitions.

Congress is unlikely ever to impose uniform term limits on itself nationwide without the strong prodding of a number of state-imposed limits like Florida`s.

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Fourteen other states will also have federal term limit amendments on their ballots Nov. 3, and voter approval is considered likely. Yes votes will prompt even more states to join the bandwagon.

Yes votes will put powerful pressure on Congress to move quickly to adopt a national constitutional amendment, pre-empting state amendments, and submit it to state legislatures for ratification.

The amendment includes two ``safety valves.`` One says that the limits are imposed only ``to the extent permitted by the (U.S.) Constitution.`` Another says that if any part is held invalid, the rest will remain in effect.

It also says that Floridians are declaring their intention that elected officials will voluntarily observe the eight-year limit even if parts of the amendment are declared invalid.

Term limits are too important a reform not to adopt. They can level the political playing field, giving equal opportunity to candidates who might otherwise never even consider running against an incumbent. They can increase voter participation and involvement in politics.

They can erase the enormous advantages incumbents have in name identification, access to PAC funding and ability to manipulate political decisions to benefit their re-election chances.

They can end the death grip incumbents have on political office. They can prevent the creation of long-term political dynasties.

And they can breathe new life into the notion that elective office should be a temporary opportunity to provide public service, not a lifetime career.

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