this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2024
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

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Getting into the Senate is the politician equivalent of an academic getting tenure (lemmy.ca)
submitted 2 months ago by tunetardis@lemmy.ca to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
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I have no idea how true this is? It is just a random shower thought.

It may be more true where I am in Canada than in the US? Here, senators are essentially appointed for life. I understand US senators are elected but have longer terms and generally more stable careers than their counterparts? In either case, there seems to be a lot of prestige that comes with the position.

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[โ€“] ptz@dubvee.org 14 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

6 years per term, here, but no term limits. Combine that with name recognition, low-information voters, and "the devil you know", and they're basically / de-facto appointed for life, as you say. They can and have been voted out before, but it seems to be rare these days. Usually they retire (Manchin, supposedly), resign (Franken), or die of old age in office (Feinstein, Byrd).

[โ€“] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 8 points 2 months ago

Being ruled by gereatrics is grand. We got things like maternity leave and good health care!