Legislatures Are Home To The Elderly
By Bob Small
One of my favorite “modern” composers, Philip Glass, turned 88 on January 31 and continues to compose.
Listen to here: Philip Glass • Piano Concerto No. 3 (complete).
Having said that, someone of that age might not be nearly as qualified to continue serving in the US Congress, making decisions that affect our lives. Does that qualify as ageism. Possibly.
There were almost 20 members of the US Congress who are at least 80 years old.
We all have to make concessions to age and legislators are not any different from the rest of us.
Then it occurred to me that we should be able to review the same data for Pennsylvania. However when you use Google, Duck Duck Go, or even Perplexity A. I. By the way Perplexity A.I> was perplexed and replied“Based on the provided search results, there is no specific information about Pennsylvania legislators over the age of 70.”
One response was to review every listed member for date of birth,which sounded extremely tedious.
Finally, we received a response from a staffer (who shall remain anonymous) from our local state Sen. Timothy P. Kearney. The staffer left the names by phone. The two oldest legislators are Tina Pickett and Gene Yaw (81) if my source is correct.
My deeper question is “Why was this information so damn difficult to find”?!
This doesn’t apply to New Jersey. See Maps: Ages of New Jersey legislators,
However, Perplexity A.I. is similarly perplexed about Delaware legislators “ Based on the available search results, there is no specific information provided about Delaware state legislators over the age of 70 “
Shouldn’t there be a discussion of term limits for federal and state legislators?Discussion yes. Legislation no
Peronal disclaimer; At my age of three score and fifteen, this writer will be running in the Judge of Election slot as a Swarthmore Republican.
Coda: As a Republican, one probably loses, here.
Legislatures Are Home To The Elderly
