General Discussion

where it is honorable to serve the people well, and it is also honorable to pass the baton to the next generations.

Here is one way to think about it. The whole point is supposed to be about leaving a better place for our children and the next 5 generations. Adulthood/maturity is something like age 30-90. But extremes of youth lack wisdom and the extremes of age tend toward narrow views and less mental and physical energy. Moreover, after about age 70, the younger people have a much, much greater stake in the future, and therefore ought to have the majority of decision-making.

On this basis, I'd say the optimal age for a person entering the national level of politics is 40-50 and we really have to question anybody running after age 70. Even if they are still very capable, they simply don't have a stake in the outcomes that younger people do.

We need to honor those who have served, and I have long felt we should do more to give them a voice in retirement. I would love to see, for example, a Council of Presidents where all the former Presidents and Vice Presidents meet quarterly or semi-annually for a national town hall where they discuss how we are doing as a nation, our big challenges and our big opportunities. Certainly the retired leaders of the House and Senate could be part of this. Not a political debate, but statesmen and women rising above politics to speak honestly about things that are important to all of us.

In Pelosi's case, we should honor her, but it is past time to retire. It is notable that she never endorsed the Democratic candidate for NYC Mayor, which is her right, of course. But she and Cuomo are both from a generation where they want a little progress but not too much progress. Perhaps she decided long ago to retire, but after Tuesday's election, it is clear that we are into a generational change for certain, and we will be electing people who reflect more than the politics of status quo.

Back to the first principle about leaving a better place, well there has been some progress During Pelosi's years, but I don't think anybody can look at the ICE Gestapo in masks and unmarked vehicles kidnapping people in plain sight, armies invading our cities, bulldozers at the White House, a President making billions by pardoning the crook who set him up with crypto riches, a House that hasn't come to work for almost 2 months, the threat to invade 4 countries for no reason simultaneously -- all these things, and still conclude she is leaving with the country in a better place. I do not blame Pelosi individually for this, but her generation of politicians was far too conciliatory while this fascism was gathering energy. I hope Tuesday will be seen as the day that Democrats (and Independents) finally turned the page, saying "No More Status Quo".