The Filibuster
A lot of young guys making some noise right now. Any one you like in particular?
Matt
Jeffersonville, IN
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George Bernard Shaw once pointed out that "youth is wasted on the young." Me, as I continue getting older, I couldn't agree more. It's a total waste. And honestly, I'm sick of hearing about it. I'm sick of hearing about young voters. I'm sick of hearing about hot, young prospects. I'm sick of hearing that something is a young man's game.
Look, there's a reason that we don't allow someone younger than 35 to be President of the US. It's the same reason that it's rare to see someone under the age of 27 truly flourish in baseball. We love the idea of youth but raw talent without experience can only take you so far. It's the reason why the Indians were willing to trade away future stars to wrap up a current star. Sure, one of those guys might go on to have a Hall of Fame type career. But Jimenez has already shown that he can deliver. That's a little more important when you're in a playoff race.
The same thing goes for politics. I'd like to see the national debt slashed and spending brought under control as much as anyone. However, I think that ruining the country's credit rating during a time of fitful recovery illustrates arrogance, not intelligence. The Tea Partiers are young and fired up. They're going to go in there and change things. But the Founding Fathers created the Constitution in such a way that change has to be gradual and necessitates compromise.
Experienced legislators understand compromise and realize that holding a gun to the country's head is not a long-term solution. They effectively shift the system one way or the other, depending on the country's needs at the time. The need this time was avoiding default but the youngsters were willing to play fast and loose with that need, holding it for ransom in order to get their own way. It's like a rookie holding out before training camp. He may end up getting most of what he wanted but you know you can't trust him and you know he's only really worried about himself.
So, youngsters I like? I can't answer that. And the fact is I don't really trust 'em. Let's see how they do the rest of the season and then I'll let you know.
-A
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