No wonder the government is such a mess

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Watching the State of the Union Address tonight, I took a close look as the camera panned the audience. I got a close look at many house and senate members, along with the Supreme Court Justices and military leaders. For the most part, they are a sorry looking bunch. Old, overweight, with red faces and gin-blossom noses. Not much energy or enthusiasm to be found. It could have been bingo night at the local senior center. No wonder nothing gets done and the arguments go in circles. We need some fresh young minds who are full of piss and vigor to get things moving again. Rigor mortis has set in. I've seen prunes with less wrinkles than one of the Supreme Court Justices. Most did not look like people who would have my best interests at heart.

We need some energy and enthusiasm and some outside of the box (party) thinking. We need more fresh blood and ideas. We need cooperation and some positive thinking. We need someone to think about us, not themselves and their careers. Too many lifers in there that have gotten fat and lazy.

[Ali G. 37]

We are in agreement.

However, the youth of America seem more interested in their Ipods, popularity and sport, than improving their country. Out of 13 Americans I know well that are in my age group, the only person that has the slightest interest in their government or country's progress is me.

Edited January 28, 2010 by Booyah

[scandal 951]

Spooky,

As a general rule, senior leaders are chosen for their wisdom and maturity and experience. These are traits that frequently go hand in hand with a septuagenarian visage, not with baby faces. Congress and SCOTUS are not a beauty pageant, this is not a Hollywood premiere night.

Having said that - fresh and innovative ideas are most certainly welcome and needed in Washington. I think we got some of that with our current President, aged 48.

If that's not what you had in mind... well, you can always vote for Sarah Palin (assuming she runs in 2012)

[Ali G. 37]

It's interesting to me that the president has a two term limit, yet a senator can stay in office as long as they like. Does that make any logical sense to anyone? Senator Bird of West Virginia, for example, might be a great guy, but come on; a different opinion is long overdue.

Then again as pointed out by Shani682, when only 24% of Americans have passports, compared to 70% in other first world nations, what sort of international exposure do people have? That is, in order to help gauge and generate new ideas. You sure as heck don't listen to anyone else who is from abroad.

Edited January 28, 2010 by Booyah

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Spooky,

As a general rule, senior leaders are chosen for their wisdom and maturity and experience. These are traits that frequently go hand in hand with a septuagenarian visage, not with baby faces. Congress and SCOTUS are not a beauty pageant, this is not a Hollywood premiere night.

Having said that - fresh and innovative ideas are most certainly welcome and needed in Washington. I think we got some of that with our current President, aged 48.

If that's not what you had in mind... well, you can always vote for Sarah Palin (assuming she runs in 2012)

I absolutely agree that our President is a shot of that fresh blood. As for the rest of the bunch, it's the type you'd see on the board at GM, not Microsoft, Google, etc. We need a few of the old timers, but not as many as we have and not as many career politicians. Too many are too cozy. It's time for the people to be heard.

[scandal 951]

I absolutely agree that our President is a shot of that fresh blood. As for the rest of the bunch, it's the type you'd see on the board at GM, not Microsoft, Google, etc. We need a few of the old timers, but not as many as we have and not as many career politicians. Too many are too cozy. It's time for the people to be heard.

Run for office.

I'll vote for you.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Run for office.

I'll vote for you.

I just wish that more of these people realized that it's a privilege to serve, not a right.

[William33 110]

Spooky,

As a general rule, senior leaders are chosen for their wisdom and maturity and experience. These are traits that frequently go hand in hand with a septuagenarian visage, not with baby faces. Congress and SCOTUS are not a beauty pageant, this is not a Hollywood premiere night.

Having said that - fresh and innovative ideas are most certainly welcome and needed in Washington. I think we got some of that with our current President, aged 48.

If that's not what you had in mind... well, you can always vote for Sarah Palin (assuming she runs in 2012)

Your point was very well stated Scandal!!!!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

It's interesting to me that the president has a two term limit, yet a senator can stay in office as long as they like. Does that make any logical sense to anyone? Senator Bird of West Virginia, for example, might be a great guy, but come on; a different opinion is long overdue.

Then again as pointed out by Shani682, when only 24% of Americans have passports, compared to 70% in other first world nations, what sort of international exposure do people have? That is, in order to help gauge and generate new ideas. You sure as heck don't listen to anyone else who is from abroad.

I have to wonder how effective and objective someone is when they are 80 +years old. Especially for a SC Justice.

[scandal 951]

I have to wonder how effective and objective someone is when they are 80 +years old. Especially for a SC Justice.

Somebody was taking their bran and prune juice last week.

Do you think it's easy to overturn a century old precedent concerning the most hallowed Constitutional provision of them all, the First Amendment?

Heck, they got up early, went to the gym, rode the stairmaster, and THEN tossed the Constitution out on its ear, all in a single morning!

[Ali G. 37]

I have to wonder how effective and objective someone is when they are 80 +years old. Especially for a SC Justice.

When it comes to the courts, you definitely need wisdom. That said, I still strongly believe that the American courts yield too much power and influence over the people. Something I was not used to in Aus.

Decisions by the majority of people can be overhauled by a handful of people who happen to disagree with the majority and are able to exploit a legal loophole.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Somebody was taking their bran and prune juice last week.

Do you think it's easy to overturn a century old precedent concerning the most hallowed Constitutional provision of them all, the First Amendment?

Heck, they got up early, went to the gym, rode the stairmaster, and THEN tossed the Constitution out on its ear, all in a single morning!

That proves that their senile and unfit for the job.

[scandal 951]

That proves that their senile and unfit for the job.

Aye. But appointed for life terms.

John Paul Stevens is old. He'll be the next one out, probably this year.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Aye. But appointed for life terms.

John Paul Stevens is old. He'll be the next one out, probably this year.

One of them looked like Dr. Ruth. Who was that?

[scandal 951]

One of them looked like Dr. Ruth. Who was that?

Maybe you're thinking of Ruth Bader Ginsburg?

She's not in the best of heath either. Pancreatic cancer,I think.