Feinstein's refusal to step down with grace

author: FutureCar Staff    

As the anniversary of my grandfather's death approaches and news of Senator Dianne Feinstein's hospitalization after a fall circulates, I find myself reflecting on both of their experiences. My grandfather, a former judge, retired at the age of 70, while Feinstein, at 90 years old, faces calls for her resignation due to concerns about her cognitive decline.

There is a growing chorus of voices urging Feinstein to step down, and some of her colleagues have dismissed these calls as sexist and ageist. Personally, I find it insulting to label legitimate concerns about a 90-year-old's ability to fulfill her duties as sexist. However, this article is not about that debate.

My grandfather's retirement was marked by a sense of dignity. He served as Hingham District Court's first justice for 32 years and had to retire at the age of 70, as mandated by Massachusetts law. It was a bittersweet moment for him, as he loved being a judge and felt a sense of unfairness that federal court judges did not face the same retirement age.

Leviticus states, "You shall rise before the aged and show deference to the old." Regardless of religious teachings, there is value in respecting those who have spent more time on this Earth. Age often brings wisdom and experience. However, it is also important to recognize when it becomes challenging for individuals to effectively utilize that wisdom and experience in their public service.

My grandfather retired while he still had the ability to give his best and serve in the way he deemed appropriate. Whether 70 was the right age for retirement or if a later age would have been more suitable is a question without a definitive answer. Nevertheless, his retirement was marked by respect and dignity. He chose to step aside from something he took great pride in while still being capable of doing it.

I am not equating being a Hingham Court District Judge with being a U.S. Senator, but I do believe there is merit in the notion that sometimes the most respectful thing we can do for those who have served us is to acknowledge when it is time for someone else to take the reins.

Respecting our elders and appreciating their service does not mean we cannot also believe that it is someone else's turn to serve. These two ideas can coexist harmoniously. Wanting someone to conclude their service while they are still fully capable of doing so is a desire for them to exit with dignity and while still making a meaningful contribution.

This perspective is not disrespectful. It is about prioritizing the completion of one's public service at full capacity, without the conversation being dominated by age or faculties. I do not need to speculate on what my grandfather would have said about this matter. Before his retirement, he remarked, "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