John Dingell's age should not be an issue in the election campaign
I just saw an ad for Rob Steele on television. It told me that Dr. Steele, who is running for Congress, started a new clinic along with several other highly qualified physicians. I have no doubt that Dr. Steele is excellent in his field.
Right after that information came the damning statement about John Dingell. He’s old. He’s been in Congress for 55 years. That’s it. He’s old and has held the same job for 55 years.
By the way, every two years, he is evaluated by his bosses. That would be the voters, we, the people, as some of our Tea Party friends love to say, although I think they may have a different idea about who “we the people” are than John Dingell would have. Guess what? Every two years, John Dingell has returned to office. I wonder if that could be because a majority of his constituents like the job he’s doing.
Granted, not everybody likes Congressman Dingell, but he works just as hard for those people as he does for his supporters.
When Rob Steele presents that statement to the voters, the one about old John Dingell having served in Congress for 55 years, as a negative, it reminds me of what Ronald Reagan once said about Walter Mondale. He said he refused to hold Mondale’s relative youth against him. Maybe John Dingell is being just as gracious to young Rob Steele.
Donna J. Angle Ypsilanti
Comments
Justice4all
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 10:53 p.m.
I remember my kids learning to read at different ages, learning to tie their shoes at different ages, and I suspect that they will all age differently. I hope I'm that able when I'm his age. Besides, he knows so much that even if he forgot half of what he knows he'd still be smarter and a better representative than most of the mindless politicos in Washington.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 8:18 a.m.
We need Change. '55 years' of the same old same old. That is enough. We need new life in Congress. Steele gets my support.
maallen
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 7:22 a.m.
You always have to wonder what he is thinking when he says things like this during the health summit:"I would say that I've seen some of my friends who I knew before they were virgins." One has to wonder And he says this about the health bill that he wrote "What we're going to do is not perfect" and "there are mistakes here as there are with all legislation." One has to wonder And then he says this: "Being a woman will no longer be a pre-existing condition." One has to wonder. And then he says this about Michigan, and he represents us: "it's pretty hard to see how anything could be done to cure the problems we have in Michigan." One has to wonder.
SillyTree
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.
Yes Maallen, that clears up everything. It was obviously a slip of the tongue where he revealed his mad desire to subjugate the people. Now we are being reasonable.
Roadman
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 12:24 p.m.
Support Green Party nominee Dr. Aimee Smith for U.S. Congress. She is a research engineer in her thirties and is a strong advocate of the environment. Something that Dingell abandoned long ago.
maallen
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 7:42 a.m.
@silent majority-- What a concept, really. Our hard earned money being managed by us, instead of the government. Who would have thought? When it comes to Social Security it's time for new ideas instead of the same old ideas that we have gotten, raise taxes, raise retirement age, cut benefits, and throw more money into social security. Those are all temporary fixes. When Dingell ranks #70 out of 435 members in 2009 with the most dollar amount for earmarks, he's part of the problem. When Dingell writes a letter saying he knows how to live within the budget just like how every other American does, but yet goes on a spending spree and puts earmarks in for special pet projects, Dingell is part of the problem. Dingell is part of the problem.
ElizabethG
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 5:43 a.m.
I am amazed at the audacity of those whom have held elected office for many years and have become enamoured with their own power. How they have forgotten the fact that they are "public" servants and owe their allegiance to no other than their constitutents, and this great country. John Dingell has held public office for over 55 years and therefore his age does matter. He is out of touch with those of us whom have worked hard to save for retirement, have had taxes removed from paychecks to be put away for social security, were told that this would be safe and secure. He brings up social security as a means of hammering away at a candidate who stands a very good chance of removing Mr. Dingell from his seat, Doctor Rob Steele. I would ask Mr. Dingell why he allowed the locked box on the social security fund to be opened and used for any and all pet projects that congress deemed worthwhile. I don't think the subject should be brought up by one whom has been part of the problems of this runaway government. We are in trouble because of your spending, Mr. Dingell and that is the very reason you will be unseated soon. I also have mixed feelings about term limits. We have a few very good people in congress who actually have a conscience and a sense of responsibility towards those they govern. This is a difficult subject but I feel that term limits must be imposed. It seems that most who walk those hallowed halls of congress lose touch with their base, Us, and forgot who sent them to Washington. They seem to forget that they owe their allegiance to the public they represent and not with the special interests that have become such a hugh part of D.C. I feel that those elected should not serve for more than 6 terms in the house and 2 terms in the senate and after, return to the private sector and reconnect with those whom they have served. They should not be allowed to take on lobbying jobs as that only serves to diminish the effectiveness of their years as representatives to the people. We have gotten a bit carried away from the values that were set forth by our forefathers. The way it stands now, those who seek reelection seem to be in constant campaign mode and they have forgotten the "will of the people" and are concerned with self interest. Lets face it 55 years in a public office is far too long and we need to remove Mr. Dingell. I for one am for Doctor Rob Steele, whom is not a politician, nor has a desire to become a career politician, but sees the trouble that we are in fiscally and how damaging this healthcare bill will be to the private sector, (those in congress, deemed it unfit for themselves and rejected it) and that we need to get our house in order before we are no longer able to.
Mark Ouimet
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 11:45 p.m.
I've spoken with Congressman Dingell several times in the past year and while I have noticed that it can be a bit hard to get my point across because he can't hear very well anymore, otherwise he's very sharp mentally. The main difficulty dealing with him is that most of his positions on the issues I find vexing. Dr. Mark Ouimet
johnnya2
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 10:23 p.m.
" it would be a Ponzi scheme and illegal. " What do you think the stock market is? Mutual funds and 401K's were designed to increase the flow of money into the stock market. That money is increasing the demand for stocks, thus raising the prices on them. The people who make money in the stock market are the top of the pyramid. You apparantly have no clue about legal or real definitions are, because in SSI, nobody at the top of the pyramid is getting rich off the bottom group. Every person is treated the same way
Basic Bob
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 9:33 p.m.
"The health care reform bill will infringe on our liberty by forcing people to buy health insurance." Really? So you choose not to have health insurance? You choose not to work for a company with benefits? Then you are infringing on my liberty because my premiums are being used to subsidize your hospital care.
Diagenes
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 8:54 p.m.
Its not his age, its his votes that are the issue. Cap and trade will hurt the auto industry and other manufacturing sectors. The health care reform bill will infringe on our liberty by forcing people to buy health insurance. Its time for a change.
David Parker
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 7:45 p.m.
social security pays retired people from working people putting in. if u did that anywhere except social security, it would be a Ponzi scheme and illegal. In other words the $ u put in years ago is long gone to prior retirees. so when most of the politicians (both Dems and Repubs) say social security is fine, they are lying or don't understand it. look it up. it's legal, because lawmakers made it legal decades ago. we can't keep it up since more retirees than usual going into system. no one wants to hurt the current retired, but the currently working are a differant matter.
Silent Majority
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 6:35 p.m.
@maallen- Rob Steele shared his thoughts on Social Security with AA.com. Here's what he said about it: "The most important longterm issue is social security and medicare. They must be restructured for those under 35. Let them have their own accounts, with fractional contributions to the current system to get the current beneficiaries through." What do you think he means by restructure? Also, the first vote he'd cast would be for a Speaker who would push for the Paul Ryun budget plan...which...would privatize Social Security and turn Medicare into a voucher system. Steele, like many other Republicans, supports it.
Jim
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 5:53 p.m.
@silly tree. "Are you going to be okay to retire when they say it is time? Be careful. Not everyone will be. Why not?" If I had their great pension plan and the millions I collected from lobbyist I would have no problem retiring. This is public/gov't jobs I and talking about. The ones that have elections bought for them with PAC and union money. Staying in office being pushed around in a wheel chair due to old to walk...don't read the bill...can they even see/focus it to read it then die in office. Now a special election is needed or the seat is vacant till next election. NO THANKS to that.
Kathy Griswold
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 5:45 p.m.
John Dingell is one of the most mentally agile candidates on the November ballot. I have spoken to him a few times this year and always go away impressed with his broad knowledge and ability to describe complex issues in a clear, concise manner. I recommend anyone who doubts his ability to serve speak to him in person. Just call his local campaign office and ask for his Ann Arbor Farmers Market schedule. He is frequently there on Saturday mornings answering questions in an informal setting just outside the Kerrytown main entrance.
maallen
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 5:41 p.m.
Dingell is great when it comes to his Public Relations machine. The more he gets his name out there, the more he gets a photo opportunity, the more people will recognize his name. Quite simplistic really. But when it comes to actually listening to his constituents, that is a total different story. He hears them, but he doesn't listen to them. For example, how does one account for him listening to his constituents when he pushed his socialistic health care idea since 1957 until now? Was his constituents wanting his socialistic idea back then? No. Was he listening? No. Is he for the common person, the working person? When one passes laws that the rest of us have to live by, but excludes himself, then no he is not for the working person. When 75% of Dingell's re-election money is coming from PAC (Corporations) and only 25% from the people, he is not for the working person. Whereas, Steele has 89% of the money coming from the working person and 11% of his own money. It's a mighty shame that Dingell is ranked number 70 out of 435 members as the top earmarker. In 2009 he earmarked over $52 million dollars of special pet projects onto bills. It's time for Dingell to go.
David Cahill
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 5:23 p.m.
It's time to keep Dingell in. I supported Lynn Rivers against Dingell in the primary that the Republicans forced them into by redistricting. When Dingell won, I fully expected not to see him at all. I was, and still am, pleasantly surprised to see him at a vast number of Ann Arbor meetings and gatherings of all kinds! You turn around, and you see Dingell. This guy is great at keeping in touch with his constituents.
maallen
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 4:58 p.m.
The exact quote of Dingell saying we need to control the people from the WJR interview is this: "The harsh fact of the matter is when you're going to pass legislation that will cover 300 [million] American people in different ways it takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people." It's time to vote Dingell out.
maallen
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 4:49 p.m.
@Cash, Where does it say Steele would end social security on his website? Just curious, because it's not there. When Dingell says things like: "Being a woman will no longer be a pre-existing condition" or "it's pretty hard to see how anything could be done to cure the problems we have in Michigan" or how about when he says this about the health bill that he wrote "What we're going to do is not perfect" and "there are mistakes here as there are with all legislation" and then during the health summit he says "I would say that I've seen some of my friends who I knew before they were virgins." One has to wonder what he is thinking. And the very legislation that he helped create, promote, and pass saying that it will decrease the premiums turned out to be a lie. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, wrote a letter saying that health care premiums will go up because of this legislation. Dingell is part of the problem.
Cash
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 4:37 p.m.
I have my choices already made but let me just throw this out there, please..... Am I the only one who thinks that election season now never ends....we go right from this to the start of the next presidential election then back to the mid terms, blah, blah. It's never ending.
SillyTree
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 4:09 p.m.
@Jim Are you going to be okay to retire when they say it is time? Be careful. Not everyone will be. Why not?
Jim
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 4:02 p.m.
Dingell and others like him get tremendous reelection help from special interest, lobbyist and PAC money. To say they are evaluated and reelected by the voters is not totally true. Most everyone wants a job and career so I am not really in favor of term limits but we need to put and end to politicians who are able to hang around till they die in office of old age such as byrd and kennedy so they can have a dynasty/legacy and be carried out. Pilots have to retire at 62 and it is my understanding that Federal prison guards have to retire at 57. Correct me if I am wrong on that. Congressmen and women should not be allowed to run for office if 65 or older.
SillyTree
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 4:01 p.m.
@David Briegel Term limits seem to be a way of limiting the size of government. If you use laws to limit peoples freedoms instead of government to improve them, you can reduce government by an immense amount. Government provides services; laws provide restrictions. Please don't confuse the two. Yes, government can grow too large, but laws can become too restrictive. There are too many people that think a large government will take away their rights. A large government does not do that. Restrictive laws and a supreme court that can back up those laws does that.
SillyTree
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 3:22 p.m.
"write the regulations to control the people" Can we have some context here? Was it all the people? I doubt it. Come on! MAD magazine used to have so much fun with partial quotes that were out of context. I've asked so many times that people be reasonable. Don't you trust yourself with reason?
David Parker
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 2:44 p.m.
no it's not age. But the Dem's leadership takes him off leadership. so obviously they had issues with Dingell. somewhere around 60-70% of America wants to repeal ObamaCare. That's Dingell's great accomplishment? doesn't seem to listen to who he represents. Saying Steele wants to force peoples SS onto Wall street is nutrue. Between Dingles's dad and himself they've had the house seat for about 77 years. If polls are correct this is the 1st close election he has had in a LONG time. It will be nice to have a representative in the 15th who represents and talks to those people.
Cash
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 1:21 p.m.
As Steele sees it, we should want someone who graduated from medical school rather than someone who graduated from law school. Steele would end social security per his own website. He thinks we can trust Wall Street with our money! And he would end health care reform and substitute "healthcare savings accounts." Now really, if the person doesn't save GUESS who pays the bill. We are right where we are now. Most taxpayers and insurers paying outrageous bills to doctors (hmmm could this be his angle? do you think?) and hospitals because we pay for those who don't have the ability to pay. Drs and hospitals should have free reign to charge any amount and should NEVER be regulated. Goodness no.
Silent Majority
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 1:09 p.m.
All of the folks posting on here about Dingell and Obama being "leftist, socialist, Democrat (It's the DemocratIC party),etc." tend to lean to the right based on their other posts on other articles, so, of course they don't like/agree with him. I have a fond spot for Mr. Dingell because I see him out a lot, especially at places where the public can get to him (he was at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market yesterday...I said hello) and he always seems genuinely happy to talk to people and engage with them. This was a great op-ed.
David Briegel
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.
Stephen, I have had several occassions to meet Mr Dingell and I have always found him bright, alert and in command of the issues. We have term limits, they are called elections. Our state govt has certainly not improved since we implemented term limits. He can not only find Michigan but find huge support for his candidacy! Golly Mick, I have never seen Rob speak. Something must be wrong with him! Dexterdriver, I hope the age will soon dawn when we can once and for all time debunk the mythology of trickle down brought to us by Ronnie, the Bush's and their disciples. We have seen and are indeed living in the results of those failed policies.
Stephen Landes
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 11:52 a.m.
Dingell's age isn't the issue; it's his patronizing attitude toward the voters. He actually said on WJR (I heard this, so it is no urban legend) that we wouldn't know what the Obama health care bill would do until they "write the regulations to control the people". If that is what he believes then he doesn't belong in government. If he doesn't believe that, but doesn't know what he is saying then he doesn't belong in government. Fifty-five years of deceiving the public and treating us like we don't know how to manage our own lives is too long and he should be returned home -- if after living in DC since he was 7 years old he can FIND Michigan.
Mick52
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.
I find it hard to comment on his age. But the fact that he won't debate more than once is interesting. I keep finding out he spoke somewhere, AFTER he speaks and it is usually in front of a collection of democrats. But it is his performance. As noted by DonBee, he was removed from his chair position by his party. In early 2008 he proposed a $.50 hike in gasoline tax. In July that year gas rose to $4+/gallon without his tax. I am glad no one in DC listens to him and we should not either. He comes up with foolish ideas, but is told exactly what he should do by Pelosi, et al. Its long overdue for him to go.
Cash
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 11:38 a.m.
Shirley Zempel, No way. Term limits denies me the right to vote for the candidate of my choice. If I am pleased with the work my representative is doing I should be able to vote for him/her. Term limits takes away a voter's rights.
Shirley Zempel
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
It's not necessarily his age. Like many politicians he is clinging to his source of power like holding on to a life line. As far as I am concerned, too many politicians do this. The longer they stay in, the more committee appointments they get and the more special interests invest in them. I hardly think the corporations would support them if they didn't get something for their money. I think the Feds should follow Michigan's example and hold them all to two terms.
Porsenna
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 10:41 a.m.
His age, per se, shouldn't be an issue, but we might ask ourselves, as this guest contributor did, whether his ideas, which must have been worked out in the 1930s, are quite what we need now. See http://www.annarbor.com/community/news/opinion/are_dingells_ideas_outdated/ As far as graciousness goes, you should see what Old John is saying about Dr. Steele-- it's pretty nasty. And silly. As one wag put it: he accuses Dr. Steele of owning a luxury car that he bought with his own money! People are naturally dubious about the abilities of people in their 80s; it's a natural dubiousness that comes from experience with the very elderly. Now, some of them are sharp to the end, so any presumption against them should be rebuttable-- we should ignore age if we have reason to think it doesn't matter. But what have we seen from Dingell in this campaign? A certain illogicality: that Dr. Steele, has made good a living operating on people's hearts, so he's a tool of Wall Street. Can anyone besides me spot the lapse in logic? He asserts that Dr. Steele simultaneously wants to slash medicare while making too much money at it. Can anyone you spot the lapse here? That he's a Tea Party candidate-- which is untrue. Logic doesn't even come into this last one. Perhaps these are not Mr. Dingell's lapses in reason; perhaps he only hires people who can't think. But if these are in any way examples of the old codger's vaunted fitness for office, you'll forgive me reaching the conclusion that the presumption against his age hasn't been met.
Dexterdriver
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 9:21 a.m.
No, I agree, Dngell's age should not be an issue determining his eligibility to represent Michigan voters in Congress. Well, not a major issue anyway. But the truth is that it is everything else about him should drive smart voters to pull the Republican lever, rather than vote for this machine, Democrat candidate. Obama's way left leaning policies are wonderful in this man's mind, a carry over from the give-away, welfare promoting policies of big, all inclusive government that has been declining in popularity and will be largely repudiated come November 2. No, age isn't the prime factor, but a new age is dawning in America. Guys like John Dingell, Nancy Pelosi, and most of all Barrack Hussein Obama, are part of an older age,one that Americans now see as a failed policy. Let Dingell enjoy his "golden years", but not screwing over the citizenry any more. Vote the bum......out!
Basic Bob
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.
Of course it's an issue - but it's one for the primary. I would rather have Dingell in office than this 52-year old Republican. Dr. Steele has a vested interest in seeing filthy rich medical specialists getting richer at the expense of society.
xmo
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 9:08 a.m.
Maybe Dingell's has too much experience in BIG GOVERNMENT! That's is why his experience is on trial!
blahblahblah
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 9:07 a.m.
It would appear Dingell's campaign is also using the "age issue", trying to scare senior citizens with the implied threat of "privatization" of social security. If he wants to talk about social security then his ads should address the following questions: 1.) Over the last 55 years, what steps has he taken to protect the "long-term" solvency of the social security trust fund? 2.) According to his ads he obviously does not like "privatization", so what are his solutions?
SillyTree
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
I would like someone with experience in geriatrics to chime in on this. The books I've read and my experience with seniors show that in most cases their minds are at least as sharp if not sharper than those of their younger counterparts. It is true that seniors seem to be at higher risk for mentally debilitating disease, but it is not a given. Therefore, age is not an issue. The ability of the individual is an issue. If you are still arguing that age is an issue, you did not read DonBee's post. I can respect DonBee's post because it addresses issues. While I don't believe that Mr. Dingell is incompetent, DonBee's questions deserve an answer. I hope they are given. Age is not the issue. It's time for us to forget what party we are and to act rationally. Do not defend the indefensible and please, defend the truth. We are too often the perpetuators of so many lies and we want to win so much that the truth is inconvenient.
Cash
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 8:29 a.m.
InsidetheHall, Object to his policies or his age? Let's be honest here. Do you think Reagan was too old to be president? Was McCain too old to run for president?
Cash
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 8:26 a.m.
SonnyDog09, So find a comparison to your older dog equal to that of a human? Really? If you are really, really blessed, you will see old age through more realistic eyes soon. And then you may just realize that your advancing age has been you much wiser than you are now.
InsideTheHall
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 8:12 a.m.
I respectfully disagree. Dingell's age is an issue and a legitimate one. We all saw Robert Byrd being wheeled in to cast votes in the Senate and in reality his staff did his work for him. This is happening with Dingell and the people of the 15th deserve a represenative who can stand up to the rigor of the position. I'm sorry John. You have served with distinction but it is time to step aside and retire.
SonnyDog09
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 8:12 a.m.
"One wonders why the great concentration on Mr Dingells' age. " Cue the old folks saying that age is not a factor. Here's why it matters. The "congressman for life" characterizes himself as "our watchdog." I have a twelve year old dog that I love very much. But, he spends much more time sleeping now than he does on guard duty. He may think that he hasn't lost a step and is as vigilant as ever, but that is not reality.
Cash
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 7:42 a.m.
Donna, Amen! As a senior myself, I get tired of the stereotypical comments about anyone over 65. One wonders why the great concentration on Mr Dingells' age. Why not concentrate on Steeles' attempt to take social security away...instead of removing the cap so that the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share too? Any attempt to "privatize" it and hand senior's money to Wall Street for safe keeping is horrifying! We do not need any more right wing extremists trying to take things from the elderly and middle class. Dingell is a great choice for middle class America.
DonBee
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 7:32 a.m.
Donna - I agree, but... 1) Mr. Dingell will only allow 1 debate (Like Rick Snyder) so we don't get to see how well he is thinking on his feet 2) He was replaced as the chairman on the Energy Committee by his own party So while age is not an issue for me. What is an issue for me is his effectiveness in Congress. The number of bills attributed to him in the last session of Congress and the number that he co-sponsored is down. With the change in Presidents, one would expect a senior party member to be more in demand, rather than less. I want to understand why he is being less productive and why he is only allowing limited unscripted time with the public. I find if I send him an email, the robo-response in many cases has nothing to do with my question. Not the kind of representation I expect. In fact we have sat at the table for dinner and read the original email and the response. The whole family was in tears of laughter after one question and response combo. I am not endorsing Dr. Steele. I am not suggesting that Mr. Dingell is not possibly a good person to have in congress. I don't know. But so far he has not answered my questions with real answers and our access to him in the district is much less than it was 10 years ago.