If you could not physically get into the office in over a year, if you could not make an impact on important company decisions, if you were constantly in the hospital with medical problems – do you think your employer would keep you on the payroll? Of course not. If you can’t be there to do your job, you get fired.
Yet, why is there a separate standard for the people in Congress?
Senator Robert Byrd has served in the Senate since 1959. He is, to date, the longest serving Senator in history. But, after that cool accomplishment, what is he still doing there? The man hasn’t been in the Senate or involved in day to day business in a very long time. He’s ill and has suffered a lot of medical problems, landing him in the hospital for days, weeks on end. He’s only been to the Senate a couple times this year, where he cast a vote and then left.
Byrd also holds the position of President pro tempore. Not familiar with this? Well, it means he’s 3rd in line to become President behind the Vice President or the Speaker of the House.
With all this power he holds, with all the prestige and history behind his name, is he really able to continue doing his job? He’s a 92-year-old very ill man. Some people have said he can barely read anymore because of his failing eyesight. How are the people of West Virginia being properly represented by him?
They’re not. And now, he’s back in the hospital. The reason? He stood up too quickly.
I know with old age comes physical problems and that doesn’t necessarily mean your mental capabilities are comprised as well. However, when every state deserves to have 2 voices in the United States Senate, this seems to me to be a reversal of why people elect you – to do a job. There comes a time when you need to bow out, retire and let the people of your state vote for a new Representative in a special election.
Why is it then that this man continues to hold his seat? He’s already got the longest serving title – and it doesn’t look like anyone is sneaking up on his record. Many have said it’s power.
And, while that’s true, he does hold a lot of power – he’s not doing anything with it. Rather, he can’t do anything with it. That may be a hard truth to face as a Senator that has served his state for fifty years, but he has to face it. He needs to resign and let his state be truly represented by two voices.
