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It would be better to see the difference between average age of members of Congress and average age at which people died in the year considered. What I suspect
by ardent_uno 8y ago
It would be better to see the difference between average age of members of Congress and average age at which people died in the year considered.
What I suspect this would show is that seniority in Congress, at least on a relative comparison basis, has actually not increased. Length of tenure obviously has, but the numbers must be put in the context of their age to be properly interpreted.
- awat 8y agoI was just about to mention this, the relationship between life expectancy and age of politician would really help to interpret this data. My hypothesis is that late stage capitalism has moved the ability to have the resources and freedom to run for office into later years since 1995 as inflation adjusted income stagnates. Edit: anyone care to explain the downvoting? I clearly marked this as a hypothesis as signficant economic changes have occured during this time frame. I have asserted nothing as fact.
- linkregister 8y agoIt's probably the slur, "late stage capitalism" on a website for entrepreneurs and employees of for-profit companies.
- awat 8y agoFair enough, even as an employee for a large for-profit corp I’ve never thought of that term as a slur. Regardless It’s a catchall term that should probably be overwritten with more specificity. Thanks for taking the time!
- dv_dt 8y agoIt would be interesting to see other measures of tenure served over a similar scale. I suspect that a lot of our political problems are multiplied because the current body of politicians in the US got to step into power earlier, then due to increasing life expectancy, keep that power longer than any before them.
- mkempe 8y agoIt would also be interesting to distinguish the seats that are "inherited" within political dynasties, as well as the seats that have been buttressed by gerrymandering.