Unfortunately, some politicians who came to prominence during the national campaign to restrict the services of office-holders have discovered the perquisites and the power so much to their liking that they have abrogated their pledges and attempted to join the permanent political class by offering for election after their self-imposed term limits have expired. Some have actually been successful.

Rep. Gilham is to be commended for keeping her word, even though she now believes that "term limits are counterproductive to the electorate" because of the seniority system that give greatest legislative authority to those who have served the longest. But that's the problem term limits seek to overcome.

Limiting terms encourages an engaged citizenry to offer for legislative service. Term limits ensure that lawmakers can't use the power of incumbency to become entrenched in a particular office, sometimes for decades.

States in which the voters have the authority to call for statewide referendum have nearly all voted for term limits. Apparently, the beauty of the seniority system is largely in the eye of the legislator who benefits from it.

Unfortunately, there's no provision in South Carolina law for statewide initiative and referendum, and no apparent interest in the Legislature to give the voters a chance to cast their ballots on the issue. (There's even reluctance in the state Senate to allow South Carolinians to vote on a vital restructuring proposal supported by the governor.)

So, the only alternative for voters who support term limits for state officeholders is to support candidates of like mind, and hope they will work on behalf of term limits, or, at the least, give legal authority for statewide voter initiative and referendum. Rep. Gilham's decision to honor her term-limits pledge is a welcome reminder that there are still politicians who value their promises to the electorate. As for Rep. Gilham, there is nothing in her House term limits pledge that precludes her from seeking a different political office. Gov. Mark Sanford, who honored his congressional term-limits pledge, provides a perfect example.