Lifetime appointments?

The United States Constitution was written by men who recognized that our country would remain secure only if those in government were moral, well educated in Judeo-Christian values, and recognized their responsibility to serve the public (not themselves).

Unfortunately, people who have great moral integrity and a desire to serve the public’s interest are often not elected. Instead, we often get people who seek to rule by political manipulation, aided by an unelected force that supports using propaganda and virtually unlimited wealth. Even good people become corrupted by Washington, D.C.’s lobbyists.

The Founding Fathers did not set sufficient Constitutional age requirements to assure years of experience prior to a person deciding to serve in office. Term limits might eliminate poor representatives, but would also eliminate good people. Instead, minimum ages should exist for both state and federal offices as follows: 40 for the representatives, 50 for the president, vice-president, senators and judges. Unless specific term limits exist, as is the case for the president, then a mandatory retirement age at the end of term following age 82, and age 82 for the Supreme Court of the United States. Potentially, the Supreme Court justices could serve up to 32 years. Currently, there is no limit, and life expectancies of over 100 could soon be common. Do we want to appoint justices to the Supreme Court for potentially 50 years or more?

Two hundred years ago, life expectancy was usually 60. A person was well educated by their early 20s. Only technology, but not human psychology, has changed. We live longer, and definitely more time is required to become wise.

Thomas Fancher

Moses Lake