Change

I've been thinking about Arlen Specter, the Senator from Pennsylvania that just became a Democrat after decades as a Republican. He's 79 years old and so I have to wonder why on earth he wants to remain a Senator? He would be 86 years old at the end of his next term. That's wrong. No, not that he's old…but that he's running again. And the only reason he changed parties is because he stood a good chance of losing the primary vote and the Senate seat if he remained a Republican.

And what's wrong with a 80 year old running for office? Nothing at all as long as that person is not an incumbent. What does Arlen Specter know about the world of his constituents? Not a blessed thing. I'm sorry, but we need change, Being an elder and a Senator means that meaningful change is the last thing he is thinking about. The only change you will see from Arlen is political parties. Or a different brand of hair dye. Equally important.

Can't elders embrace change? They could, but the sad fact is that most won't. And that's why we need term limits for lawmakers. With term limits in place we won't need age limits. And if you're 79 or 85, you could run for office…for the first time, and as an elder that understands change.