Good afternoon.

I bet some of you out there might have been married. I know I have. We actually just celebrated our 28th year of wedded bliss, and a grand accounting of 33 years together.

As we get older, it seems that we're alarmingly starting to close in on that most ominous part of our vows.

"TILL DEATH DO US PART."


This is a weighty and daring statement among humans, some of whom have a limited propensity for a lifetime monogamous relationship. It's meant to imply permanence, seriousness, and commitment for a lifetime with somebody else, and all the repercussions that might ensue.

But is it a way to run a country?

I'm not going to "Both Sides" the argument here - but a simple stating of some facts might be in order.

The current president of the United States was born on November 20, 1942. That was a few weeks after "Operation Torch" in WWII, and just a week before the Cocoanut Grove fire right here in Boston. He's a "War Baby", just like my dear, departed, mother - who exited the planet eight years ago already.

The former president of the United States was born on June 14, 1946. A first-wave "Boomer", he is the same age as my aunt in Florida. She was born just about a month later in July of 1946.

The oldest current Senator was born on September 17, 1933. That's older than Papa TriSec, so enough said about that.

The oldest current Representative was born on November 5, 1942. That's the same age as the president.

Does any of this matter? I think it does. Many industries have a mandatory retirement age. Chief among them is an airline pilot - it is currently age 65. And while there is no mandatory retirement age in my industry (professional driver), we are subject to an annual medical exam for our "DOT Card", which allows me to keep my CDL. Because I am currently on a statin and blood pressure medication - my card is now good for only a year. Some are issued on a six-month basis.

Experience does count for many things. We did not begrudge the late Senator Kennedy his age. But what does this mean in terms of leadership?

Sometimes it's easy to see "an old man in his dotage". I regret that both candidates are showing more evidence of time inevitable catching up to them.

"Till Death Do Us Part".

I expect that Mrs. TriSec and I will live that definition of a succesful marriage, which always gives me pause.



It is however, a hell of a way to run a country.