While we are at it, abolishing the seniority system would go a long way towards breaking up calcified thinking. It should be the best and the brightest in leadership positions rather than rewarding those who have endured. And of course term limits would clear out a lot deadwood; elective office should be a temporary public service and not a career move.
For better or worse, placing term or age limits on people on Congress would be clearly unconstitutional- there are minimum ages for Congress and President in the Constitution but no upper limit or service length (at least for Congress). So new limits would require an amendment.
Not only that, but we already have term limits-- we call them primary and general elections! And if the people are too stupid or too lazy to vote for a change if they think someone's been there too long, then put simply, they're getting the government they deserve!
Notice how the "term limits" crowd almost invariably ignores the impact of the Citizens United decision (2010) and the issue of $$$ in electoral politics? Deal with that and we'll almost certainly have more competitive primaries and general elections for congressional offices.
The only way to constitutionally enact term limits would be by amendment. But maybe that's something people from both parties recognize - given 84-year-old Mitch McConnell's lengthy absence from the senate and 92-year-old Chuck Grassley banging about his vacuum cleaner on social media.
Listen to yourself. It's institutional, not personal. It's there for newbies (who aren't necessarily young or inexperienced) to access. That old bugaboo has kept near-corpses in Congress for eons. Time to retire Schumer and other deadwood. And age isn't necessarily the issue at all.
Exactly. Charles De Gauule famously said, "Cemeteries of the world are filled with indispensable people". Deadwood really need to go or be moved. I am 65. Eager to see an energized, youthful Democratic party.
Giving the graybeards emeritus leadership status would preserve the institutional knowledge while handing policy and decision-making to a new generation.
And Jefferies did no favors to the party yesterday on Meet the Press. Really divisive. We have to unify and do what needs to be done. As they say, "put on your bid boy/girl pants" and get a grip!!
I missed Kristin Welker's interview with Rep. Jeffries so I watched it on YouTube. While I personally don't dislike him, his demeanor and repetition of the same old tired lines reinforced my concerns that he may not be the right person to be Speaker if/when Dems win the House in the midterms. We need someone who can respond more forcefully and get fired up.
As to who should be Speaker, I don't have a good replacement and I realize that is a cop out. However, with the party's abundance of riches surely someone else could rise to meet the challenge we face.
And Rahm Emmanuel's comment that progressives and democratic socialists do not belong in the Dem Party just goes to show how out of touch he really is. He sounds more like the MAGAts who are trying to resurrect Joseph McCarthy's Red Scare of the late 1940s and mid-1950s and who are trying to label Dems as communists all because there are a small number of candidates who identify as DSP such as Abdul El-Sayed. Anyone who wants to rid our country of the MAGAt madness should get our support.
It is important to realize that, unlike MAGAts who are ruled by a sociopathic narcissist who demands total and complete surrender to his every whim, Dems must take a different approach. Welcome all those who are willing to join together to send the anti-democratic forces running our country into the ground packing.
Who wants the 80+ yr old: pilot?…roofer?…surgeon?…lifeguard?…’fill in the blank’?? Term limits are long over due for those who don’t have the common sense to step down.
Exactly, Kathleen. At 81, i am aware that my diminishing faculties preclude some activities I previously enjoyed. So I find new adventures and leave governing to others.
At 78, I'm still capable of standing to protest rallys, though also realize that I no longer have the vitatlity to keep up with a 45 hour work week and keep up with the fast changes in technology that was my previous occupation. I suspect that if a lot of our aging legislators would honestly evaluate themselves, they would come to the same conclusion and yield to those more able.
A bank closed Trump accounts for ‘Anti-Money Laundering Reasons.’ So now Trump & Co gives Trump & Co… a bank? Just another measure of the president's staggering corruption that preliminary approval of an application for a charter by Trump’s crypto firm is just another story.
Trump money laundering, extortion, fraud, weaponization of government against critics…? The Trump brand. Trump & Co corruption & criminality is epic. The projection of Trump & Co propaganda & criminality onto critics never stops.
Agree 100%. I'm 76 and disagree with some of the things on the Progressive agenda, but will have no hesitation in choosing a Progressive Democrat over a MAGA Maggot. The Republicans who once were respectable opponents, went over to the MAGA Dark Side in 2016 because they were terrorized by the fear of everything Liberal. Let's not make a similar mistake.
Obviously, we are a Nation in desperate need of new ideas. But sometimes age and experience can provide much-needed leadership - think the likes of Nancy Pelosi. But, all other things being equal, we are not being served well by the current Gerontocracy in Democratic circles and the Kakistocracy and Kleptocracy on the right. So, I am starting to come down on the side of age and term limits. We need lawmakers who have significant skin in the game - and a president who isn't ready for the memory care unit at Shady Pines.
This was a positive bit of writing today, Ms. Rubin. It paints a far different (and more reasonable) picture of the Democratic Party today than we get from legacy media's 'doom, gloom, dispair and agony' readings of the party. It's also a clear contrast to what the current iteration of the Republican Party is doing to try to remain in control. At best, they are marking time with nothing positive to show constituents through the last election cycle. It is time for change, and it would appear that Democrats show that it is possible and happening.
It would help if the idiots in the “Third Way” group would shut up and go away, if James Carville stopped running his mouth, and if Neera Tanden at the Center for American Progress stopped attacking the Democratic left wing and retweeting Laura Loomer Islamaphobic posts
I voted for Seth Moulton in the MA primary (mailed in early) . I approve of everything Markey says and does but he is TOO OLD, which is 3 years older than me. If he wants to mentor Moulton fine by me. But out of the way please, thank you for your service.
I voted for Markey because he presents as a true Progressive, and I did so with the understanding that he is sufficiently moral to retire if his age becomes problematic—to be replaced (presumably by the governor) by anyone except Moulton who appears to embody the worst of Democratic corporate lapdogs, backtrackers, and backward thinkers. We’ll see if it works out. In general, I’m into age caps but both Markey and Warren are doing a terrific job for us right now. And it’s a big tent.
I voted for Markey because he presents as a true Progressive, and I did so with the understanding that he is sufficiently moral to retire if his age becomes problematic—to be replaced (presumably by the governor) by anyone except Moulton who appears to embody the worst of Democratic corporate lapdogs, backtrackers, and backward thinkers. We’ll see if it works out. In general, I’m into age caps but both Markey and Warren are doing a terrific job for us right now. And it’s a big tent.
It is a big tent, which is why I'm voting for Moulton. As Manz wrote, I too agree more closely with Markey. But Moulton's pragmatism is also good for the party. I just cannot vote for an 80 year old for a SIX year term of office. And I am 80.
Agree with the article. Listened to a good discussion this morning between Joe Scarborough on Morning Joe and Tim Miller of The Bulwark....both former Republicans. This discussion had a lot of "meat on the bones" and I wish that more Democratic leaders could listen and get their insight and not just bicker among themselves. We must unite for sure. Yes, there are a lot of different ages and ideas in the party...we are not Republicans who whisper in the cloakroom and then vote in lockstep. Yes, the old must embrace the young. I am old and believe my mind is still pretty sharp but listening to the ideas of the younger generation and sharing what I know can really keep and make us stronger. I live in red State Ohio and we are working diligently to elect Sherrod Brown and Brian Poindexter, who would replace Max Miller in my district.
If the old guard doesn’t heed these warnings, they will be responsible for holding back the big tent they wax so eloquently about. These people are tied to power, money and corporations.
Since the first Trump administration I have written to you weekly, in the first letters I ended each one with the simple endorsement of:
You are my Senator and I trust in you, I believe in you, and I eagerly look forward to seeing how you will make me ever more proud of you. Your constituents have your back.
Thank You in Advance for Your Support
As the weeks continued the endings became a shorten versions of this same concept, you have my support, as I expected to have yours. From letter 265 I would end each letter with “This is Why We Vote” with the addition of “Defeat American Fascism” and then with a “Fund Ukraine”. Now at letter 480, the endings, since letter 452, has been backing your efforts with “We the People Do Not Consent.” All of these letters and all of these closings add up to ten years of support, encouragement and belief that your hard work has had meaning and are appreciated.
I now have an another ask for we are now, please consider not running to regain the post of Majority Leader should the Senate change hands after the November elections. I am not sure that you have ever even seen one of my letters or that any of its sentiments were ever conveyed to you, but whoever is reading this one now, I am asking for you to pass it on to the Senator.
No one can escape the boundaries of the life span. Those who will live out the consequences of decisions and actions of today must be empowered to take the leadership of their future for tomorrow.
You are my Senator and I trust in you, I believe in you, and I eagerly look forward to seeing how you will make me ever more proud of you.
While we are at it, abolishing the seniority system would go a long way towards breaking up calcified thinking. It should be the best and the brightest in leadership positions rather than rewarding those who have endured. And of course term limits would clear out a lot deadwood; elective office should be a temporary public service and not a career move.
For better or worse, placing term or age limits on people on Congress would be clearly unconstitutional- there are minimum ages for Congress and President in the Constitution but no upper limit or service length (at least for Congress). So new limits would require an amendment.
Not only that, but we already have term limits-- we call them primary and general elections! And if the people are too stupid or too lazy to vote for a change if they think someone's been there too long, then put simply, they're getting the government they deserve!
Notice how the "term limits" crowd almost invariably ignores the impact of the Citizens United decision (2010) and the issue of $$$ in electoral politics? Deal with that and we'll almost certainly have more competitive primaries and general elections for congressional offices.
The only way to constitutionally enact term limits would be by amendment. But maybe that's something people from both parties recognize - given 84-year-old Mitch McConnell's lengthy absence from the senate and 92-year-old Chuck Grassley banging about his vacuum cleaner on social media.
And risk losing all institutional knowledge.
Listen to yourself. It's institutional, not personal. It's there for newbies (who aren't necessarily young or inexperienced) to access. That old bugaboo has kept near-corpses in Congress for eons. Time to retire Schumer and other deadwood. And age isn't necessarily the issue at all.
Exactly. Charles De Gauule famously said, "Cemeteries of the world are filled with indispensable people". Deadwood really need to go or be moved. I am 65. Eager to see an energized, youthful Democratic party.
A great quote. Thanks.
Yes, Schumer needs to go, period. Jeffries should follow him.
Giving the graybeards emeritus leadership status would preserve the institutional knowledge while handing policy and decision-making to a new generation.
So long as they didn't keep their salaries and perks. Some perks are life-long for members of Congress. Why?
Thank you for another intelligent and honest article.
And Jefferies did no favors to the party yesterday on Meet the Press. Really divisive. We have to unify and do what needs to be done. As they say, "put on your bid boy/girl pants" and get a grip!!
I missed Kristin Welker's interview with Rep. Jeffries so I watched it on YouTube. While I personally don't dislike him, his demeanor and repetition of the same old tired lines reinforced my concerns that he may not be the right person to be Speaker if/when Dems win the House in the midterms. We need someone who can respond more forcefully and get fired up.
As to who should be Speaker, I don't have a good replacement and I realize that is a cop out. However, with the party's abundance of riches surely someone else could rise to meet the challenge we face.
And Rahm Emmanuel's comment that progressives and democratic socialists do not belong in the Dem Party just goes to show how out of touch he really is. He sounds more like the MAGAts who are trying to resurrect Joseph McCarthy's Red Scare of the late 1940s and mid-1950s and who are trying to label Dems as communists all because there are a small number of candidates who identify as DSP such as Abdul El-Sayed. Anyone who wants to rid our country of the MAGAt madness should get our support.
It is important to realize that, unlike MAGAts who are ruled by a sociopathic narcissist who demands total and complete surrender to his every whim, Dems must take a different approach. Welcome all those who are willing to join together to send the anti-democratic forces running our country into the ground packing.
Bottom line: DIVERSITY = STRENGTH
Jeffries need to go too. Maybe not old enough in age but he can not think new.
Who wants the 80+ yr old: pilot?…roofer?…surgeon?…lifeguard?…’fill in the blank’?? Term limits are long over due for those who don’t have the common sense to step down.
Exactly, Kathleen. At 81, i am aware that my diminishing faculties preclude some activities I previously enjoyed. So I find new adventures and leave governing to others.
At 78, I'm still capable of standing to protest rallys, though also realize that I no longer have the vitatlity to keep up with a 45 hour work week and keep up with the fast changes in technology that was my previous occupation. I suspect that if a lot of our aging legislators would honestly evaluate themselves, they would come to the same conclusion and yield to those more able.
A bank closed Trump accounts for ‘Anti-Money Laundering Reasons.’ So now Trump & Co gives Trump & Co… a bank? Just another measure of the president's staggering corruption that preliminary approval of an application for a charter by Trump’s crypto firm is just another story.
Trump money laundering, extortion, fraud, weaponization of government against critics…? The Trump brand. Trump & Co corruption & criminality is epic. The projection of Trump & Co propaganda & criminality onto critics never stops.
Please bring on a Blue Tsunami.
Agree 100%. I'm 76 and disagree with some of the things on the Progressive agenda, but will have no hesitation in choosing a Progressive Democrat over a MAGA Maggot. The Republicans who once were respectable opponents, went over to the MAGA Dark Side in 2016 because they were terrorized by the fear of everything Liberal. Let's not make a similar mistake.
He roller-coaster, he got early warning
He got muddy water, he one mojo filter
He say, "One and one and one is three"
Got to be good-looking, 'cause he's so hard to see
.
Come together
Right now
Over me
Part of wisdom is acknowledging one’s limitations and fostering the growth of those who follow…
Obviously, we are a Nation in desperate need of new ideas. But sometimes age and experience can provide much-needed leadership - think the likes of Nancy Pelosi. But, all other things being equal, we are not being served well by the current Gerontocracy in Democratic circles and the Kakistocracy and Kleptocracy on the right. So, I am starting to come down on the side of age and term limits. We need lawmakers who have significant skin in the game - and a president who isn't ready for the memory care unit at Shady Pines.
Yes, chronological age isn't always the best test of fitness to serve. Strength and competence diminish in people at varying tempos.
This was a positive bit of writing today, Ms. Rubin. It paints a far different (and more reasonable) picture of the Democratic Party today than we get from legacy media's 'doom, gloom, dispair and agony' readings of the party. It's also a clear contrast to what the current iteration of the Republican Party is doing to try to remain in control. At best, they are marking time with nothing positive to show constituents through the last election cycle. It is time for change, and it would appear that Democrats show that it is possible and happening.
It would help if the idiots in the “Third Way” group would shut up and go away, if James Carville stopped running his mouth, and if Neera Tanden at the Center for American Progress stopped attacking the Democratic left wing and retweeting Laura Loomer Islamaphobic posts
I voted for Seth Moulton in the MA primary (mailed in early) . I approve of everything Markey says and does but he is TOO OLD, which is 3 years older than me. If he wants to mentor Moulton fine by me. But out of the way please, thank you for your service.
I voted for Markey because he presents as a true Progressive, and I did so with the understanding that he is sufficiently moral to retire if his age becomes problematic—to be replaced (presumably by the governor) by anyone except Moulton who appears to embody the worst of Democratic corporate lapdogs, backtrackers, and backward thinkers. We’ll see if it works out. In general, I’m into age caps but both Markey and Warren are doing a terrific job for us right now. And it’s a big tent.
I voted for Markey because he presents as a true Progressive, and I did so with the understanding that he is sufficiently moral to retire if his age becomes problematic—to be replaced (presumably by the governor) by anyone except Moulton who appears to embody the worst of Democratic corporate lapdogs, backtrackers, and backward thinkers. We’ll see if it works out. In general, I’m into age caps but both Markey and Warren are doing a terrific job for us right now. And it’s a big tent.
It is a big tent, which is why I'm voting for Moulton. As Manz wrote, I too agree more closely with Markey. But Moulton's pragmatism is also good for the party. I just cannot vote for an 80 year old for a SIX year term of office. And I am 80.
Agree with the article. Listened to a good discussion this morning between Joe Scarborough on Morning Joe and Tim Miller of The Bulwark....both former Republicans. This discussion had a lot of "meat on the bones" and I wish that more Democratic leaders could listen and get their insight and not just bicker among themselves. We must unite for sure. Yes, there are a lot of different ages and ideas in the party...we are not Republicans who whisper in the cloakroom and then vote in lockstep. Yes, the old must embrace the young. I am old and believe my mind is still pretty sharp but listening to the ideas of the younger generation and sharing what I know can really keep and make us stronger. I live in red State Ohio and we are working diligently to elect Sherrod Brown and Brian Poindexter, who would replace Max Miller in my district.
If the old guard doesn’t heed these warnings, they will be responsible for holding back the big tent they wax so eloquently about. These people are tied to power, money and corporations.
Dear Senator Schumer,
Since the first Trump administration I have written to you weekly, in the first letters I ended each one with the simple endorsement of:
You are my Senator and I trust in you, I believe in you, and I eagerly look forward to seeing how you will make me ever more proud of you. Your constituents have your back.
Thank You in Advance for Your Support
As the weeks continued the endings became a shorten versions of this same concept, you have my support, as I expected to have yours. From letter 265 I would end each letter with “This is Why We Vote” with the addition of “Defeat American Fascism” and then with a “Fund Ukraine”. Now at letter 480, the endings, since letter 452, has been backing your efforts with “We the People Do Not Consent.” All of these letters and all of these closings add up to ten years of support, encouragement and belief that your hard work has had meaning and are appreciated.
I now have an another ask for we are now, please consider not running to regain the post of Majority Leader should the Senate change hands after the November elections. I am not sure that you have ever even seen one of my letters or that any of its sentiments were ever conveyed to you, but whoever is reading this one now, I am asking for you to pass it on to the Senator.
No one can escape the boundaries of the life span. Those who will live out the consequences of decisions and actions of today must be empowered to take the leadership of their future for tomorrow.
You are my Senator and I trust in you, I believe in you, and I eagerly look forward to seeing how you will make me ever more proud of you.
Your constituents have your back.
Thank You in Advance for Your Support,
United we stand, divided we fall!