The third Principle of Political Life is Objectivity: appointments and similar decisions should be made on the basis of merit.
At first glance, this would appear too be the purest of principles: who would argue for appointments on any basis but merit? Well, I would, sort of.
Proposition 140, the second greatest mistake the voters of California have made (after Proposition 13) did several pernicious things with regard to the Legislature:
I therefore reluctantly support the appointment of former legislators to Boards and Commissions after they leave office. We must find ways to help people of modest means to attain and retain public office. The alternative is oligarchy.
A blog about all the arts, including politics
"for 'twere absurd to think that nature in the earth bred gold, perfect in the instant;
there must be remote matter." - Ben Jonson
"I don't know what the question is, but art is the answer." - Guy Conner