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Last week Nancy Pelosi announced her intent to run for re-election to the U.S. House. Pelosi has occupied her California seat since 1987. In nearly four decades of service, she has accumulated political power and financial resources, earned tremendous influence over Democratic policymaking, and advanced the interests of many of her constituents.
She has also contributed to the decay of a vibrant and representative democracy. By staying in power for decades, Pelosi and other career politicians have contributed to a troubling and accurate depiction of D.C. as a place for "elite" politicians. Gone are the days of Mr. Smith going to Washington — this is the era of Mr. Smith going to Washington and planning to die there.
My goal is to scream what has only been whispered about: the House and Senate are not retirement homes.
Of course, anyone who is physically and mentally fit to vigorously and relentlessly advance the needs of their hometowns and our nation belongs in D.C. However, the representative who "often sits in the back rows of the House floor gabbing with her closest friends" must step aside.
That's how the New York Times described Pelosi's current habits.
Of the House members who stick around until retiring on their own terms, they still stay for quite some time: the average House member occupies their seat for about a decade. Note that I didn't mention members exiting through electoral defeat — that's because incumbents win re-election 95% of the time.
