Posted on Tue, Feb 12, 2013 : 5:02 p.m.
House member John Dingell says he won't be retiring any time soon
By Cole Bertsos
The longest-serving House member in history, John Dingell, D-Dearborn, has made one thing very clear in a report on MLive: He does not intend to retire any time soon.
Dingell, who is 86 years old and has been serving in Congress since he was 29, likened his situation to another resignation that has been in the spotlight lately, telling MLive "I'm not pulling a Pope Benedict."
From the article:
"I'm not about to quarrel with him on his reasons," Dingell said. "The stairs do get a little higher as you get older, but I'm still climbing them."
Dingell also is very active in the gun control debate, adding his own view as a gun owner as well as a Democrat.
Comments
Jack
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:47 a.m.
Ah, yes, the wonderful Mr. Dingell who fought tooth and nail against auto emissions restrictions, allegedly on behalf of the industry. It was like giving an alcoholic a drink; it did nothing to help the auto industry. He needs to go!
Bubba43
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 10:32 p.m.
He should get out & give a younger person a job.
Tom
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 9:13 p.m.
If Mr. Dingell really wants to serve his country he should do so by not running. We need fresh ideas and not those from an overblow bureacracy. But, as has been said before, voters get the government they deserve. Until the populace wises up we wil continue to ride this donkey into fewer well-off Americans.
Napalm.Morning
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 2:35 p.m.
. . .and once again those who can retire, won't and those that want to retire can't. . .step aside and free up jobs for the next generation and let the next generation own the solutions to the next generations issues.
GoNavy
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
Why are posts being removed that suggest Rep. Dingell should step aside? Posts that suggest that perhaps Mr. Dingell and his ideas are part of the problem? How do these posts run afoul of moderation, exactly?
DonBee
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
I guess the Pope is wiser than a Congressman. But I should not be surprised. Rep. Dingell did great things, but even his party moved him aside in Washington DC, putting Rep Waxman in his place on the Energy Committee. The Pope did something that has not been done in over 600 years, he retired. Congressmen retire all the time. If Rep Dingell were truly wise he would follow the Pope's example. His party has already retired him from any major role.
hairman
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 2:03 p.m.
What GREAT THINGS??? If he did great things his district would be GREAT!!
Jonathan Blutarsky
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 3:19 a.m.
Gosh darn Democracy! Can't we redistrict him or something?
Napalm.Morning
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 2:37 p.m.
Alas, we people have the leadership we deserve.
Hot Sam
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 2:27 a.m.
If folks like Dingell were the solution, we wouldn't have any problems...
GoNavy
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 2:44 a.m.
Nailed it.
ypsi 1
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 1:57 a.m.
As someone who has had a few recent discussions with the Congressman I can say he is extremely sharp and witty. He may not walk as fast as he used to, but his talents and leadership are a value to Michigan and the United States. His solid stance against illegal guns and his support of legal gun owners cross the aisles to unite us in our path to prevent violence.
DJBudSonic
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 2:24 a.m.
They can vote you down all they want, but I agree with you one hundred percent. I had a chance to have a one on one decent conversation with Mr. Dingell, on a wide range of topics, and he is sharp, he cares about our state, and he cares about our country. We could do worse than have him as our representative.
Jack Gladney
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 1:45 a.m.
I think it's great to have congressmen who serve 90 years or whatever after having basically inherited their seats from their daddies. Who's a big boy?
Napalm.Morning
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 2:32 p.m.
The fear is that it will be his much younger wife. . . with the name recognition clearly in the wheel-house of the low-information voters.
beardown
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 1:59 a.m.
I hope he doesn't have any kids that he is grooming to take over the family business.
David Bardallis
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 1:12 a.m.
I suppose it's too late to expect him to look for a real job.
Paul
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 12:35 a.m.
Yeah do not gracefully step down and let a younger person take up your cause, just hang around and get what done? Look what Mr Obama did after his first term as a Senator, good thing Obama had that chance in office.
buvda fray
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 12:27 a.m.
Joe Diffie must have seen this coming when he wrote the famous song. His immortal lyrics here: Well I ain't afraid of die'n,It's the though of being dead I wanna go on being me once my eulogys been read Don't spread my ashes out to sea, don't lay me down to rest You can put my mind to ease if you fill my last request Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die Lord I wanna go to heaven but I don't wanna go tonight Fill my boots up with sand, put a stiff drink in my hand Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die Just let my headstone be a neon sign Just let in burn in memory of all of my good times Fix me up with a manican just remember i like blondes Ill be the life of the party even when im dead and gone Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die Lord I wanna go to heaven but I don't wanna go tonight Fill my boots up with sand, put a stiff drink in my hand Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die Just make your next selection and while your still in line You can pay you last respects one quarter at a time Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die Lord I wanna go to heaven but I don't wanna go tonight Fill my boots up with sand put a stiff drink in my hand Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die Lord I wanna go to heaven but I don't wanna go tonight Fill my boots up with sand put a stiff drink in my hand Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die Oh prop me up beside the jukebox if I die
Napalm.Morning
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 2:39 p.m.
. . . BTW no one actually read more than three lines of your lenghty post. . just sayin'
tom swift jr.
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 12:19 a.m.
There used to be a time in this country when, if someone spent nearly 60 years serving their country, they were spoken about with respect. It appears that those days are gone. Hang in there, Representative Dingell, and thanks for the years of service.
hairman
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 1:59 p.m.
You have to EARN respect. What have these people DONE FOR THE GOOD of MICHIGAN????? Just drive along the Detroit river from Detroit to Ecorse and look at thr BEAUTY!!!
Chester Drawers
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 1:03 p.m.
JBK, I don't care much for the guy either, but this is a little rough!
JBK
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 2:06 a.m.
There was a time when members of Congress who actually had a skill set could serve their country for a a couple terms and then leave. DINGELL has NO skill set so what else is he expected to do? He has lost all of hiS committee chairs and is just "hanging in there" until retirement. Perhaps he will do us all a favor and "pass" in the next year or two, thus absolving US taxpayers of paying for his PENSION and HEALTH CARE.
beardown
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 1:58 a.m.
There also was a time when we left England to avoid career politicians who had grown fat and happy on our money.
Michigan Man
Tue, Feb 12, 2013 : 11:58 p.m.
This guy should have quit 20+ years ago. Dingell and both the Levin's + Conyers need to pack in it - boy they look out of step with the current generation. Old, tired looking and out of touch does not package a good picture of Michigan.