“BYE BYE”, OLD POL
When is “enough” too much?
Some individual politicians can't seem to bring themselves to understand when it is time to step down from the pedestal on which they have studiously perched and preened themselves for so many years.
Nationally, where they are easier to spot, we have several politicians who are continuing endlessly at their designated posts in spite of visual evidence that indicates they should retire. Very often such successful servants bring their careers to a noble closure with a well-worded withdrawal from what has become a tedious tenure.
Television has done more to help the citizenry become aware of the fact that the when their chosen official's best days are in the past. When signs of aging appear when dotage and hints of hesitations creep into the home-viewed picture, it should serve as a recommendation that the admired winner needs to be pastured. We can, and often, do selfishly ride a good to steed to death.
On the national scene, where they are easier to spot it would seem than the voters of Connecticut and of West Virginia might want to express their gratitude to Teddy Kennedy and to Robert Byrd for all they have done for their states. You may have seen others in the same stage of attainment. The longer the voters put it off the more their states will lose in the development of new avenues of leadership and power in the legislative bodies. Delay may be deadly.
The critical area is not, however in Washington. The legislatures of the various states are home to ”dead wood” which should be “harvested” for whatever values are obtainable and young people brought in – eager,alert ,capable in modern terms, and in need of nurturing only experience only years of legislative hall experience can provide. That is out main source of tomorrow's national -and international leaders. Check out the tenure pattern in the legislature in your state and see how many members have become little more that living items of furniture in august Halls. You can tell if it is time to organize a “garage sale of seasoned salons” and to refurnish our legislative halls state-by-state.
A few will worry about “kicking the old-timers out of their jobs”.
Not to worry - as New Yorkers say.
Robert Byrd, is an accomplished fiddle player and he might can look forward to a totally new career making CD's and Video-tapes as the “Mountain State's” emblematic folk music star. Teddy Kennedy might do well giving swimming lessons.
A.L.M. September 4, 2004 [c430wds]
