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Grumpy Liberal's avatar

Okay, this is gonna sound crazy, but we probably need a Senator Emeritus position that would allow Senators past a certain age with some high number of years of service to retire with pay equivalent to a retired Senator’s salary but would allow also certain privileges of the office, including a small office and staff on Capitol Hill. I think some of these old timers don’t want to leave Washington and all their long time colleagues , so this may be a way to ease them out. They resign the office and become Emeritus.

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Jackie Ralston's avatar

A dementia village in the Capitol? We already pay way too much for them for the work they "do" for us.

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Grumpy Liberal's avatar

We already pay retirement. It’s a title with an office. Would be 2 or 3 at most. Make them share an office.

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my name's avatar

I think we move away from supporting the gerontocracy - just my $0.02. The plan is workable, I disagree with implementing it. There are a shit ton of Senators over 80, several over 85 in the forced birth GQP senate. Fewer I can think of on the Democratic Party. Either way it’s too many ‘elders’ tottering around trying to regulate MySpace.

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Grumpy Liberal's avatar

That’s the point. Give them a way out. We need them to retire but they are often reluctant because it means going from something big to playing bingo.

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my name's avatar

It’s a tough problem. Does the option to take ‘senior status’ cover enough of the power and money thrills? I agree it isn’t bingo… but is it enough?

We agree there’s a problem and at least you’ve put forward an idea. Thanks for putting something out to at least start a discussion.

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