Two things Washington politicians love: Getting reelected. And spending money. And since they have more political power than anyone else it’s hard to see a way to stop them in Washington – but there is a glimmer of hope outside Washington.

We just witnessed an example in the State House.

U.S. Term Limits is asking state legislators to call a limited constitutional convention that would do one and only one thing: Pass a Term Limits Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

And the Compact for a Balanced Budget is asking state legislators to call another constitutional convention to do just one thing: Pass a Balanced Budget Amendment.

Two conventions. Each limited to just one vote. On one issue. And that’s it.

A few days ago North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore sponsored legislation to call a constitutional convention to pass Term Limits. His bill passed.  It’s no surprise every Democrat on the House floor that day voted against Term Limits. It is a bit of a surprise six Republicans did.

One Republican explained most people “have somebody who they’d keep voting for until Jesus comes” – and he didn’t want to stop them. That’s straightforward. But does voting for a Congressman until Jesus comes matter more than curbing Washington politicians’ spending?

Another Republican said he was worried a limited convention could stray onto other issues – but under Speaker Moore’s bill North Carolina’s delegates would be bound by state law to only vote on one thing: Term Limits.

In addition, at a constitutional convention, each state has one vote. Wyoming has one vote, New York has one vote, North Carolina has one vote. Republicans now control state legislatures in 31 states, Democrats 19.

Last year a poll showed 73% of North Carolina’s voters support Term Limits: 79% of the Republicans, 71% of the Independents, 68% of the Democrats. And every Democrat on the State House floor – the day Speaker Moore introduced his bill – is now on record voting against Term Limits.