as in why don't they ever?
I am truly puzzled by the craving for power by our legislators. Is it the
senority? the publicity? the money? or just plain feeling important?
Please convince me that the staffs of these 80 and 90 year old men who
appear to be even unable to dress themselves, are not the ones encouraging
them to go on, so they won't lose their own jobs and power.
Please show me that these old couts could continue to be senators and
congressmen without an office full of tenders.
There comes a point - and its not agism as i am an old cout too -
that they just can't do what they used to do. can no longer juggle
being at the top of their game - and ever increasing health problems.
There comes a moment when your body says no more, and the rest of us
listen. Our legislators seem to hire extra help.
Perhaps there could be a special congressional rule. At some point to be
determined by some internal committee, the senator or congressman has
to relinquish their seat to their top staffer. If it takes an appointment
by the state governor, then so be it. But the old cout gets to keep his office, get to meet the guys for drinks at the end of the day, and is
considered some kind of Legislator Emmeritus. But they don't get to
vote on important bills. They don't get to be on the floor pretending
its still 1950. Byrd can be the historian till death. Fine.
But the world has changed. Technology has changed. The citizenry has
changed (well in some places) and this country needs new blood, new
ideas, and new processes to take it forward - not backwards.
It's time to retire. It's time to willingly turn over the reigns.
It's not like losing an election. And the voters don't have to feel
like they are being disloyal. I know there are still things they want
to accomplish, but watching Teddy die with a brain tumor is not the way
we should have to remember him. will it take one of the most decrepit to
collapse on the floor and die live on c-span to make a difference?