In Congress, it's about time for a generational reset
Not that many spring chickens are watching President Donald Trump address a joint session of Congress on March 4. Credit: The Washington Post via Getty Images
Having spent my working years in a job that grants tenure and thus long-term job security, I could argue endlessly on both the positives and negatives of that kind of system. Rather than do that, I note one profession that does not formally give tenure but may be just as secure for job protection.
If you look at Congress, you would be shocked at the number of sitting members who started their political careers as much younger people and are still there. Many are now in their late 70s and 80s.
These people don't leave because their job provides unbelievable perks, a great salary for only working a limited number of days a year, power, and all usually leave considerably richer than when they came in.
Unfortunately, the American people have not received anywhere near the same positive returns from our representatives' work. In fact, for the most part, it seems they often forget they work for us. This applies to both parties equally.
The Constitution, Article I, is the longest, most specific and most detailed of the entire document. The Founding Fathers wanted to have checks and balances, but they felt if any one branch was to have an edge in power, it should be the one with the most representatives directly elected by the people. Thus they gave Congress the power of the purse.
Recently, Congress seems to have forgotten its role and decided giving in to a president who keeps them in their cushy jobs no matter how the public suffers. Getting reelected seems to be Congress' primary concern.
Therefore, I have a somewhat outlandish idea but one that, if implemented, could cause Congress' members to take their jobs more seriously and remember who they work for:
In the 2026 midterm elections, the entire House and one-third of the Senate are up for reelection. Let's vote every incumbent out. Perhaps that would inform the remaining two-thirds of the Senate and the newly elected representatives that the gravy train is over and they better work for the American people, not for corporations, lobbies, or American presidents who forgot their role under the Constitution. It might make America truly great again.
Robert Melo Sr., Sayville
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