James Maxson , Minot

One of the measures on the ballot this November regards term limits for state legislators. At first glance, it looks like an intramural battle between conventional Republicans and angry Republicans. Since I don’t have a dog in that fight, I look to an old-fashioned method of decision making, evidence.

Two states which have enacted similar term limits are Arizona and California. It is quite obvious that the California legislature has swung too far to the left and that the Arizona legislature has swung too far to the right. Are these two states the prototype of good government?

How many of us can name all three of your state legislators let alone pick them out of a lineup? It is very difficult to find people willing to take four months off every other year for the privilege of being disrespected. Are term limitations the answer?

The other measure is legalization of marijuana. With the exception of South Dakota, North Dakota is completely surrounded by states and provinces where possession of marijuana is legal. Will North Dakota be the state that never inhaled? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.