Dangling an extra term in front of legislators?

Is there anything we can do to keep our state legislators from falling prey to the siren song (and deep, deep pockets) of special interests? Laws don't seem to work, and neither does the honor system. But a CPA from Santa Monica has come up with a brilliant idea (does he have a minor in psychology?) that hits the heart of the matter -- a Get out of Jail Free card for term limits. Our own Patrick McGreevy has the details:

Paul McCauley has gotten a green light from the secretary of state to start collecting signatures on petitions for an initiative that would let state lawmakers serve an extra term in office if they promise to just say no to campaign contributions and privately funded junkets.

Whether McCauley can get the  694,354 signatures he needs from registered voters in time to qualify for the ballot is more than a little uncertain. But the activist says he believes offering legislators the chance to stay in office a little longer could convince at least half of them to give up those trips to Europe and fat checks for their campaign accounts.

"That means that more than half the members will be less influenced by special interest money and will serve as a counterweight to those who are receiving -- and influenced by -- special interest money," McCauley said.

He denied that he's fronting for legislators who tried unsuccessfully in February to have term limits relaxed. "I have no relatives or relations in the Legislature -- to my credit," he said.

Can't help thinking that, in the time it took to read this post, some lobbyist has already come up with a dozen loopholes.

--Veronique de Turenne