Dianne Feinstein's refusal to resign with grace

author: FutureCar Staff    

As I reflect on my grandfather this week, two reasons come to mind. Firstly, his yahrzeit, the anniversary of his death, is approaching on Thursday. He passed away 13 years ago at the age of 86. Secondly, the recent hospitalization of Senator Dianne Feinstein after a fall has reminded me of my grandfather. At 90 years old, Feinstein, the oldest member of the Senate, has faced growing calls for her to step down due to concerns about her cognitive abilities.

The news of Feinstein's hospitalization is likely to intensify the calls for her resignation. Some of her Senate colleagues have dismissed these calls as sexist and ageist. Personally, I find it insulting to feminism to suggest that questioning the ability of a 90-year-old, who has missed months of work due to health reasons, to retire is sexist. However, that discussion is beyond the scope of this piece.

While Feinstein's situation raises questions about aging politicians, it also brings to mind my grandfather's experience as a public servant. He served as Hingham District Court's first justice for 32 years. However, when he turned 70 in 1994, he had to retire, as mandated by Massachusetts law for judges.

Retirement was a bittersweet moment for my grandpa, who loved being a judge. It felt somewhat unfair that he had to retire while federal court judges could continue serving. Leviticus states, "You shall rise before the aged and show deference to the old," and we should indeed respect those with more life experience. Age often brings wisdom and knowledge.

However, it is also true that there comes a time when expressing that wisdom and translating experience into public service becomes challenging. My grandfather chose to retire while he could still give his best and serve in a way he deemed appropriate. There was dignity in his decision to step down, as he left with pride in his accomplishments.

I don't claim that being a Hingham Court District Judge is equivalent to being a U.S. Senator, and I'm not advocating for a mandatory retirement age of 70. Nor am I attempting to dictate how Feinstein's family should feel. Yet, sometimes the most respectful action we can take towards those who have served us is to acknowledge that it's time for someone else to step up.

In other words, we can honor and appreciate our elders' service while recognizing that it's someone else's turn to serve. These two ideas are not contradictory. Wanting someone to conclude their service while they are still fully capable and with dignity is a sign of respect. It means valuing their ability to serve the public intentionally and effectively, rather than focusing on their age or faculties.

I don't have to speculate on what my grandpa would say about this matter. When he passed away, the Patriot Ledger, a Quincy, Massachusetts newspaper, reminded its readers, including his granddaughter, of what he said before retiring: "I've been here long enough. Once you start reminiscing about how the old days were better, you know it is time to leave."

FutureCar Staff