Byrd Breaks Record

The senior U.S. senator from my home state, Robert Byrd, became the Senate’s longest serving member ever today.

I’m not sure this is that great an accomplishment. Sure, getting elected every six years takes some doing, but longevity is hardly a measure of how good a job any senator has done. After all, Strom Thurmond held the record before Byrd broke it and I never felt compelled to congratulate him on his many years pushing hate and intolerance up on Capitol Hill.

Besides, making a career out of being a senator probably isn’t the best way to serve the country. The rare Senator might spend the influence and power time brings them making the country better, but most of them get entrenched in office and spend all their effort protecting their own interests. There’s a reason we hold elections for senators every six years, after all.

So, not to be too cynical, congratulations Sen. Byrd on setting a record of dubious distinction.

I just think there are other more meaningful measures we should be focused on when judging the careers of our public servants.