Recently, I wrote two initiatives for the voters of El Cajon. I went through the process and I am now soliciting signatures of registered voters to put these initiatives on the November ballot.
One, the initiative for term limits, basically states that the mayor and council members can serve two consecutive four-year terms and then need a four-year hiatus before being able to serve another term.
The initiative for campaign finance reform basically states that only individuals may contribute to a candidate, for a maximum of $200 per year, per candidate.
While there are always pros and cons regarding these issues, I think it is necessary to explain to voters the reasons I took this action.
Politicians like to argue that it takes time to learn the job and term limits force them to leave prematurely once they have gained experience. Not true. In practice, most incumbents use that experience to solidify their base, giving themselves the power to ignore constituents with opposing views.
Let me provide a case in point: In the fight over the fate of the East County Performing Arts Center, a blue-ribbon commission was appointed to determine the best course of action. Not one of three qualified applicants with experience in managing a theater was appointed. The commission was composed solely of the mayor's friends. Art Beat Management now manages the theater, which has been a “money pit” and has failed miserably to put on “headliner” shows for the benefit of the public. The community would have been better served by an open-minded City Council that still cared about the opinions of citizens. There are innumerable instances too lengthy for this commentary.
Power is corrupting and the public must be protected. The rules of governing the city of El Cajon are not so Byzantine that they cannot be learned within a year. Two terms total eight years – that is plenty of time to do good work, but not so much time that the job becomes a personal fiefdom.
The road to better governance lies not in entrenchment, but in the encouragement of fresh solutions. Obviously, ideas that might make elections competitive are unlikely to be given a hearing before politicians content in their lifetime political seats. In politics, experience can be a killer of innovation.
The voters must demand good governance and it appears to me that the initiative route is the only way to bring about change.
While I was clearly a beneficiary of the absence of term limits, I felt a need to bring a competing viewpoint to what I call the “entrenched majority” on the council. I was, and am, on the losing end of many 4-1 votes.
Now is the time to step down and do what I can to encourage qualified candidates with fresh ideas. El Cajon is currently facing severe challenges and business-as-usual is just not acceptable.
Term limits
It is nearly impossible to defeat an incumbent unless that person has done something egregious or simply doesn't put any effort into getting re-elected. Incumbents have a tremendous advantage. They have name recognition and fundraising capabilities well beyond those of lesser-known candidates. I remember nearly 16 years ago when I was first elected. I had to donate in excess of $10,000 to my own campaign, a paltry sum by today's standards. The financial advantage of incumbency absolutely discourages qualified candidates from seeking public office.
The purpose of this initiative is to encourage qualified candidates to seek public office and limit the power of incumbency.
Campaign finance reform
Incumbents have a tremendous advantage in raising campaign funds. Over the years the amount of money raised by candidates in El Cajon has increased drastically. Some challengers and incumbents have raised and spent in excess of $65,000. Individuals and some businesses have donated $3,000, $5000, $7,000 and more.
Can anyone imagine individual donations, in our small city, of this magnitude, whereby the donor doesn't have an ulterior motive? These excessive funds do create the potential for undue or improper influence over our elected officials and must be curtailed.
The purpose of this initiative is to stop the potential for undue influence by putting limits on the amount that candidates can receive. This initiative would only allow “individuals” to donate and limits those donations to $2,000 per individual, per candidate, per year. It would not allow anyone who contracts with the city to donate directly or indirectly.
We voters control the quality of our government. What we get is up to us. If any of you are interested in helping gather signatures or would like to sign the petitions, don't hesitate to call my business phone at 619-449-7736. I appreciate all the help.
Ramos is an El Cajon city councilman finishing his fourth term. He has announced that he is retiring from elective office.
