Minimum Age Requirements for Lifetime Appointments?
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Should there be a minimum age to be nominated for a lifetime position
As I speak to people about the nominations that are approved by the Governor’s Council this question keeps coming up, should there be a minimum age for these appointments?
If someone is appointed at the age of 50 they can serve for 20 years.
In an age where so many are advocating for term limits its hard to imagine why anyone should get a 20 year term, but that is what can happen with the judiciary.
Many people have told me that they view these offices as ones that should be held by mature, experienced people. People that have excelled in their field and are ready to give back to the community they have worked with.
When people are applying for a lifetime position and they are younger than 50, they are often trying to move up the ladder rather than give back. They are looking for a pay increase, not sacrificing by accepting a pay decrease.
It is often argued that people under the age of 50, simply don’t have the gravitas for these positions.
It may be that when someone older makes a ruling that people don’t like, that everyone realizes they won’t be around for that much longer, but when someone younger makes the same mistake it is felt that it will go on for much longer.
Of course people can grow in positions, but this is not ideal if they do not start with basic experience.
Another problem with the younger nominees, is that they are always viewed with a great amount of suspicion, why are they being nominated? When it is clearly not for their experience.
On June 6th the Governor’s Council will hold hearings for two such nominees.
If there is anything you would like to know about the Council please feel free to contact me at
patrickmccabegovernorscouncil@gmail.com
To learn more about the council and what it is currently doing please check out my site
patrickmccabegovernorscouncil.com
Patrick McCabe
Candidate for Governor's Council District Two
Fred Rogers
3:24 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Maybe there shouldn't be lifetime appointments for anyone. If there is even a hint of wrongdoing then you can't even temporarily get rid of them. Let everyone work towards their individual re-appointments.
Patrick McCabe
6:37 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
As we have this discussion about lifetime appointments and term limits, I find it interesting to see that the view of we the people is being reflected by our elected officials on Beacon Hill.
The comment on term limits for judicial appointments seems to be getting some traction in some areas, not enough to make a difference, but perhaps enough to make people less cynical.
That being said, even when there are term limits, as there are with judges on the Industrial Accident board, they are all too often ignored.