Term limits

There is an active effort to bring term limits to Congress. I've been asked to sign on to the effort. But I'm not sure that's what we really need.

I think it's in response to an 81-year-old president and our octogenarian Congress. Six elected representatives have died while in office THIS YEAR.

Now, there's questions about whether Mitch McConnell is even alive. It could be that his staff is keeping him on ice until after the deadline to call a special session to replace him. If true, it's disgusting and sick. Imagine delaying your funeral for political reasons.

In Missouri, we've had term limits for several years with questionable results. It brings constant turnover to the legislature, but many elected officials are still older and retired. Truthfully, being in the legislature takes a few years to get up to speed. Under our system, just as someone is becoming effective, we make them move on. Is that solving our problem?

How can we get more young people to run for office and get more older representatives to step aside? Certainly, older people have experience and knowledge that can be useful, especially in government. But there comes a time for all of us to retire.

So, perhaps what we really need are age limits. Maybe 70 or 75 would be a reasonable place to start? Not saying you can't still be useful after that age, but no one should die in office. We need people in government who are willing, and able, to do the work.

It's becoming increasingly clear that America is sick. Voting is the cure.