A major problem in American politics is the refusal of political leaders of both parties to recognize when it is time to retire from the scene, and allow a new generation of leadership.
Too many US Senators and Congressmen stay on until their late 70s and early 80s, and this includes Governors and other state officials as well.
While there can be no official retirement age mandated, it seems appropriate that these political leaders accept reality, and allow for a generational change.
A great example is California, heavily Democratic, but led by people who should make clear that they will NOT run again past 2014.
This includes:
Governor Jerry Brown 76 (nearing 81 at end of next term in 2018); Senator Diane Feinstein 81 (with her term ending in 2018 at age 86 plus); Senator Barbara Boxer 73 (76 when she finishes her present Senate term at the end of 2016); and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi 74 (past 76 at the end of the next Congressional term in 2016).
Is it too much to expect that people in public office who are nearing age 81; age 86; age 76; and past 76 at the end of their present or future terms recognize it is time to leave, no matter how good a record they have in office?
Ego and power is what keeps these and other people in public office, but it is time for change and new faces in Congress and the state governments!
Has Israel gone nuts? The Israeli army has shelled UN shelters.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/25/world/middleeast/official-vents-outrage-at-shelling-of-un-schools-in-gaza.html?_r=0
Are left-wing online media articles, such as this one, correct that Israel is getting away with a war crime?
http://www.forwardprogressives.com/caught-two-fires-citizens-gaza-real-victims/
Rational Left, calm down! We do NOT yet know all the facts. I am also tormented by this war, and want it to end, but the security of any nation requires that Israel do what they must do.
As far as a war crime is concerned, that is a subjective term. Certainly, Hamas has committed many war crimes as they have warred on Israel over the years. I am not defending the Israeli government, believe me, but it is not wise to believe all the hyperbole coming from the media, which tends to blame Israel for wanting to survive. So please calm down!
Ronald writes, “Too many US Senators and Congressmen stay on until their late 70s and early 80s, and this includes Governors and other state officials as well.”
That’s the thing with American politics: After the politicians get their environments figured, they get very comfortable.
It’s a job for life. (If you want it. And if you have the advantage in terms of your party in connection with state or congressional district.)
What’s hilarious about numerous is that, for any politician from the Republican Party giving lip service to non-haves wanting too much from government, pols like Mitch McConnell (first elected from his home state of Kentucky 30 years ago in 1984!) sure like milking the system—which includes getting superb health-insurance coverage—off the backs of the American taxpayers.
I am in support of terms limits. I wasn’t always. A good 20 years I didn’t agree with the argument for that. Now, I see it is a necessity. And it’s antiquated to have anyone entitled to a lifetime appointment of the U.S. Supreme Court. (But that’s another topic.)
@Rational Left
I’ve noticed that too. Our mainstream media isn’t doing it but the majority of left leaning alternative and independent media organizations have started to refer to Israel as an apartheid state. They say that Gaza has been described by human rights groups as an open air prison with no where to escape. They claim that American media headlines manipulate the narrative of this conflict to make Israeli lives seem more valuable than that of Palestinians. They claim that the US media and our government is owned and contaminated by the Israeli lobby. That very much disturbs me.
The progressive blogs I choose to surf at are the ones that refer to themselves as pragmatic progressive blogs, such as Winning Progressive. They choose to very rarely cover the conflict because it’s such a frustrating issue.
@Princes Leia
I quite agree with their reasoning for not often covering the conflict. A lot of stubbornness involved.
Saw an interview on CNN with a reporter, Jeffrey Goldberg, who has been covering the conflict. Mr. Goldberg said that Hamas is playing a propaganda war, controlling what images the world sees.
Nothing surprising about that, Rustbelt Democrat!
I don’t think that Israel is deliberately targeting civilians, as the hard left likes to accuse.
I think that the layout of the area plays a factor. The Palestinians are surrounded by Israel on one side and by the sea on the other side. Kind of hard for them to get away from the fighting.