A follow up to the item posted on Friday.
John D. Dingell, a Michigan Democrat who served in the U.S. House from 1955 to 2015, was the longest-serving member of Congress in American history. He dictated these reflections to his wife, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), at their home in Dearborn, on Feb. 7, the day he died.
One of the advantages to knowing that your demise is imminent, and that reports of it will not be greatly exaggerated, is that you have a few moments to compose some parting thoughts…
My personal and political character was formed in a different era that was kinder, if not necessarily gentler. We observed modicums of respect even as we fought, often bitterly and savagely, over issues that were literally life and death to a degree that fortunately we see much less of today.
Well worth a read in full. I especially resonated with this: “In democratic government, elected officials do not have power. They hold power in trust for the people who elected them. If they misuse or abuse that public trust, it is quite properly revoked (the quicker the better).”