Posted on 06/12/2006 1:51:22 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana
The collective age of the U.S. Congress is one of the oldest in history because voters want seniority, but is setting the stage for a youth coup, experts say. The average age in the U.S. Senate is 60.4 years old, the oldest ever, and the average age of 55 in the House sets records dating back to at least the first half of the 20th century, USA Today reports. With an average age nationwide of 36.2, voters appear to enjoy seniority. Nancy Thompson of the AARP said people want to stay in the workforce longer, although that could be more out of financial necessity for the everyday older worker. Still, as age landmarks are set, like Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.V., who on Monday will become the longest serving Senator ever at more than 47 years, the older legislature may be overhauled soon. Senate rules dictate those with the most seniority get the most coveted committees and younger would-be Senators want in. Researchers William Strauss and Neil Howe looked at generational roles in U.S. history and found the older an institution is, the more likely youth will launch a successful takeover campaign. There is no age maximum to serve but the minimum is 30 for the Senate and 25 for the House, which means the middle of Generation X is ready, and maybe willing, for the job.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
I like that.
I would strongly recommend some Metamucil!
Indeed! I didn't even realize that they had.
senex=old man. Twas always thus, tho I get tired of the old windbags.
Here's the thing: Boomers are characterized as 'idealist,' so if we get the RIGHT Boomers, it'll be fine. Gen Xers are characterized as 'pragmatist,' so if we get the RIGHT Gen Xers, we'll be fine. It's all a matter of the candidate. There are no hard-and-fast rules in Congressional midterms except
1) Rats suck.
2) RINOs suck.
3) Judge candidates based on their past, not their promises. "Accomplishments" incumbents "create"--with other people's money--should be reviewed with a particularly jaundiced eye.
Pretty impressive, because 2002 and 2004 had a LOT of Senate retirements. Many of the replacements, like Liddy Dole and Lamar Alexander, were no spring chickens.
lol
Thats the way I see it as well!
The Senate needs an enema...in more ways than one!
My big blue eyes. It's because the deck is stacked against challengers.
Yes, a thorough purge would certainly do the body some good. LOL
The dead are underrepresented in congress. No man should be eligible for election until he has been twelve months in the grave.
Look at the surveys of the generation. They believe in family more, are more pro-life etc.
In most ways, they are more conservative than the boomers.
You are exactly right.
About the only liberal majority position is on gay marriage.
I am a Gen-X (actually may be Y) person who opposes gay marriage, but it is not my central issue. I care much more about foreign policy, taxes, and abortion.
If you are the generation after Gen-X, the Millenials as Strauss & Howe call them, then you are of the same generational archetype as what they call the "G.I. Generation", which we commonly know as "The Greatest Generation" of WWII.
This is my kid's generation, and he fits the mold perfectly. Very civic minded; wanting to make a difference even if it means less money for himself in the long run, etc. This, by the way, also is the same generation that is currently fighting in Iraq. This is also the same generation that will have more stay-at-home moms. Sounds a lot like the WWII generation to me.
Sounds like me. I am either going to be a teacher or a journalist because I want to serve and am willing to take a pay cut to do so.
There are so many bad teachers/journalists, and I want to show what it means to be a good one.
Exactly which way I will go though, I am not sure.
My son falls into the next generation as well and I completely agree. They (him and his fellow high-school friends) pleasantly surprise me on a daily basis. They are a very conservative group - boy am I proud!! (and this is even while living in the predominately liberal Left coast)
I see a different future when these kids come of age....just my personal observation.
It would be interesting to know which ones dropped acid, smoked too much dope, and tripped out extensively, during the 60s / early 70s.
Pay-Per-View would rake in billions.
Oh, wait. It's just a play on words. Dang.
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