While speculation on a history of Calderon's not assuming thier hireditary position as Protector may have merit looking in from the outside, one must understand the social applications as they pertain to Taurian citizens. Individual freedoms are highly valued in Taurian society, and it would be an incomplete assessment if one would make a judgement without considering this social aspect.
Lets take a look at Thomas Calderon's children alone. Edward Calderon, the first in line was groomed from birth to take the reins. At the time of his death, he was a trusted advisor and ruler of several planets in the TC. He died in a dropship accident in March of 34. Next in line was Janice Calderon, and at the age of 14, assumed the role of hier protector. In 3038, while touring the TC, she contracted the Brisbane virus. As above, the next in line was Ian, and he joined the Green Mountain Boys in 42. His leaving appears to be a love interest (being it as a mechwarrior or a women) and not one of fleeing the responsibility of Protector. That leaves Felix, the 4th in line and a highly unlikely situation. Again, the love interest apears to win out again in the Calderon line, and speculation is that Felix fled the TC. The fact remains that Felix's jumpship disappeared in 46 while on a star mapping mission. Finally, maybe the greatest hope of all of Thomas's children, Jeffery, assuming the Protectorship in 55, and was killed in 3060. All five of Thomas's children have assumed the position of hier protector, while only Jeffery has assumed the position of Protector for an extended period. If avoidance of the position constitutes being dead, then I agree with that speculation, but it is obviously a position that lacks merit.
On a side note, for such a small and uninfluencial faction that the TC is widely percieved as, I find it amazing that in the span of just over 25 years, they have lost 6 prominent leaders that did or would have influenced the TC political scene. Throw in the removal of Hadji Doru and Janice's major sickness and the TC has lost 8 leaders in that time. Prior to the Jihad, the Inner Sphere was pressed to account for the loss of that many major political leaders as a whole during that time.
What would motivate that kind of writer action?
