Rotation In Office Is Mark Of Democracy
Opinion
The recent election for US Senator in Massachusetts has some lessons. Andrew Jackson was the first President to say “rotation in office” is the mark of democracy. Inheriting a political position or keeping it for life is a mark of aristocracy, which is anti-democratic.
The lesson is that a political position should never become the property of a political party, it belongs to the voters. Nominating candidates by petition is better than by a caucus, and both are superior to a nomination by the bosses in a back room.
If Massachusetts and other states had a term limit for Senator the recent election would not be necessary. There is a minimum age limit but not a retirement age for Congress or the President. What would happen to this country if someone became President because his or her father was President?
Ronald A. Sobieraj
Perth Amboy
