Posted on 01/25/2007 2:58:03 PM PST by shrinkermd
The average age of members of the U.S. Senate is older than it has ever been, according to Senate Historian Richard Baker. For many senators, advanced age is starting to show, raising questions about their ability to govern.
Until his retirement last month, former majority leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., a noted heart surgeon, was being consulted for informal medical advice by two dozen of his colleagues -- more than 20 percent of the Senate, according to a former leadership aide. They went to Frist complaining about a host of illnesses and chronic maladies, most related to aging.
Among them were Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who flew on Frist's jet for private consultation and treatment at the Frist Clinic in Nashville, according to Senate sources.
The average age of the 100 senators is 62, up from 60 in the last Congress. Among the new Democratic committee chairmen, it is 69. And, of the five longest-serving senators, three are there today. Including the grand-daddy of seniority, Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., 89.
As far as illnesses, at least 10 senators have fought various cancers or suffered severe injuries. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., remains hospitalized here for a brain hemorrhage suffered last month. And others deal with chronic and debilitating infirmities.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
This problem will solve itself in a few years.
It is an even bigger joke when a Senator runs for President.
They are all tainted but simply serving in the chamber.
Old and in the way.
Teddy Kennedy could trim that pot a little by taking a few laps in the pool.
Its certainly time for term limits for Congress and this is proof of that.
Let's be honest. With few exceptions, none of these folks is - shall we say - bright. Kennedy, Pelosi, even Bush. We're doing something terribly wrong in this country because only the dregs seem to run for office. All the rest of us are inventing things, flying planes, running businesses, etc. Really, what could Hillary do were it not for politics. Same for (fill in name here). Heck, I propose to widen this theory by extending it to the vast majority of liberal arts faculties.
Well, the reason might be that what person in their right mind would run for high office? Who the hell wants to have every single thing they have said and done throughout the course of their life dragged into the mud? Who could stand up to that kind of mudslinging?
So, most of the people running for office are...lawyers, power-hungry individuals, race mongers and generally people who do not know how to do anything else but be a politician.
Look at someone like Obama Osama. What has he done in his life? Nothing. He has not served in the military. He has not run a business. He has not even done much AFTER he was elected to office. Just like John Kerry. Say what you will about President Bush, but at least he served time in the military and ran a professional sports team, getting a new stadium built in the process and making a profit. MBA indeed.
You said it. The liberals particularly are a real bunch of dim bulbs to a great extent.
In a free country like ours, all the important things are done outside of the government. No one with any talent would run for political office, and it's been that way for a long time--with a few exceptions in time of crisis.
These people get free medical at Walter Reed and the Naval Hospital in Chevy Chase and they are still seeking free medical from Frist?
Are they lazy or cheap?
This is amazing in itself. They can go to Bethesda Naval to see the top doctors and yet they put the arm on Frist for free advice. I'll bet all professionals--doctors, lawyers, engineers, and accountants as well as plumbers, electricians, and auto mechanics really resent such freeloaders. I wonder if these Senators disrobe and ask Frist to "take a look; it'll only take you a minute."
You beat me to it. They're both.
We know we are getting closer to third world status when all our politicians are rich, old and currupt.
Term limits are needed..also a better educated an informed public. Since we have a great part of the media and our education system going in the other direction...well we're in trouble.
Kennedy has been in the Senate for almost my whole life. Byrd has been since 1958. How can such possibly be in touch with how the country really is?
This would be fine in the original hegemonic Senate.
The legislatures would tell them what to do anyway.
In a post-seventeenth amendment democratic Senate it's a disaster.
Dingy Harry is the only person authorized to speak about Senator Johnson's condition.
And he ain't sayin' nuthin'!
Wonder how South Dakota feels about having only one Senator...
All we need is one, two would be great.
Byrd congestive heart failure, Kennedy stroke.
voila.......we have vote control
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