I’ve known Senator Dianne Feinstein for many years. It’s time for her to step down. I say this with great sadness — as one of her friends, one of her admirers, one of her constituents, and as someone who cares (as I’m sure she does) about the future of America.
The Senate is not a damn country club; Feinstein is not entitled to this absence! If she cannot do her job, she must do the honorable act of stepping down. Her legacy? NO! We need a functioning judiciary!!!
You are very correct on this issue,Sen.Feinstien most definitely needs to step down,for the good of our country.I realize she has done many good works,which are eternally appreciated,but the clock is now ticking and time's a-wasting.We have stuff we need to get done right NOW,not weeks or months from now when that clock runs out.
Please,Senator,do your final good work and step down,so we can complete the work that now needs to be done,before it's far too late to matter.
I agree that Sen. Feinstein must resign. If she resigns now, she will be seen as doing the patriotic thing on behalf of a whole lot of people, mainly women who would be appointed to important judgeships. None of this will happen if she waits until the end of this congressional term. She will rightly be seen as the Democrat who caused Republicans to get even more power than they deserve. As Prof. Reich notes, Dems have already pretty much lost Manchin and Sinema, both of whom can't get past their money addictions to do what is right for this nation. They can keep telling themselves that they are the true patriots (as Republicans do) when they are clearly only taking care of their own personal money addictions. If Sen. Feinstein retires, she will enable the California governor to appoint someone good who will carry on her legacy of service in the Senate. That should be the way it is presented to her and her staff. Fingers crossed!
With ALL due respect to her career, the very fact that Dianne Feinstein is not resigning on her own volition, holding up such crucial work in Congress, is proof itself of cognitive impairment whereby the country and the principles she has worked for all her life do not take precedence over her dogged self absorption in holding on to such an uncertain and tenuous future where she could ever again be of any help whatsoever, never mind the present urgent need for someone with full capacity, except as she can behind the scenes as a retired person. Who is it in the country and in her life that can convince her of it? A formal group appeal? Her family? Help!
Right now, California, the 5th largest economy in the world is represented by 1 senator while the other 49 states are represented by 2. For the good of the state and our country Sen Feinstein must step down NOW!
It’s very sad to see a once respected and competent woman completely destroy her legacy. Does she have any idea of the harm she is doing to America now? Doesn’t she care? Whose side is she actually on? Is her stubbornness to cling to power because of ego or dementia? In these past few years, it’s become so apparent that we can’t take anything for granted. I used to think naively that politicians who are corrupt or harming democracy would be kicked out. Why do we have to wait, hoping that they will voluntarily resign?
i agree 1000%. feinstein has demonstrated over the past 6 or so months that she is completely incapable of doing her job on behalf of the people who elected her. her positions of powers (especially on the judiciary committee) and her inability to perform AT ALL at this crucial time politically are outraging to those who wish to step up and do the work.
I share your concern, Professor Reich, For the good of the Country, the State, the party and most of all, the Judiciary Branch of Government, Dianne Feinstein needs to step down and she needs to do it now. I admit, I have not been an admirer of Senator Feinstein since 2002 when I emailed her and asked her to vote against the Iraqi war, and she emailed back saying she knew things I didn't and was voting in favor of the war. However I continued to vote for her. If she digs in her heels and hangs on until 2024, it may be too late. We have several really good people ready to step in to replace her. All are young, healthy, and progressive. Three particularly stand out, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, and Ro Khanna. I will happily support any of the three. Right now I am supporting Katie Porter, but I will support any of thee three. Please, Dianne, step aside and allow someone to do the necessary work.
I propose a mandatory cognitive battery of tests conducted for every member of congress as well as the President/VP and Supreme Court justices once every two years after the age of 65.
To be conducted in order to remain in their place of power.
And I've signed quite a few online petitions asking her to resign.
Furthermore, Nancy Pelosi is not doing the nation or the democratic party any good by attributing calls for Feinstein's much-needed resignation to sexist bias, which is not the case in this matter.
The general election is next year, and the fascistic forces working to install an autocratic leader in the White House are working on all cylinders from the radical right-wing scotus "justices," to fascist christians, to the increasing authoritarianism of red state politicians.
I was taught by my parents and my teachers that JUDGES were and are held to higher standards the regular people. They have mandatory requirements they must meet like being impartial, being honorable, having a stellar reputation and leading by example. As Americans we can probably count on one hand how many impartial Judges there are!
Certain members of our SCOTUS need to look up the definition of the word HONORABLE. Why? Because they are NOT!! The definition I found was the following: honorable and impartial service to one's nation, a person of high respect as that shown for special merit; recognition or esteem.
Or how about the definition of being corrupt: Marked by immorality and perversion; Venal or dishonest.
You are supposed to be Role Models for the rest of us!
I admire and respect the work of both Pelosi and Feinstein (and am a constituent of them both).
Pelosi's allusion to the pass that has been given to male senators with similar health issues does point to unequal treatment, though i don't believe any senator should be given such a pass. But, as you clearly point out, we are in a political crisis with the judiciary that endangers our democracy, and we can not afford to indulge a senator whose absence is blocking the confirmation of Biden's nominees. Feinstein's comment that she is not holding anything up, that the nominees will all be cleared as soon as she returns (whenever that may be, she does not say), and her failure to grasp the danger at hand, show that her once very sharp mind is sadly compromised. She cannot see that she must retire. We need an intervention here! Schumer? Feinstein family members? Someone(s) must help her to leave, ASAP.
Several years ago a video posted to Twitter showed Senator Feinstein talking down to some students and their teachers regarding the Green New Deal. There they were in all their eager excitement, a group of students, young constituents maybe 11 or 12 years old, dropping off posters they had made and/or a petition or letters signed by all in their classes explaining why they hoped she would support the Green New Deal. It would have been so easy for her to thank them for their work and interest, and tell them she and her staff would review their work, as well as the legislation, and seriously consider their request. Even if she never intended to support it, what harm would it have caused if she said something that would keep them excited about being involved and fighting for what they believe is best for our world? But she didn't do that. She immediately said she couldn't support it and when they protested with excited but level-headed comments, she spoke over them, saying they were young and she had experience that they didn't have and she knew better than they did because she had been working at her job for so long. After a teacher made a comment, she told the teacher, "Then you should run for the Senate." The children looked immensely disappointed and I was so flabbergasted by her behavior that I was literally embarrassed for her.
Don't we want young people involved in what is negatively affecting our society and our world? In my opinion, she effectively told those children that they don't deserve to have a voice if she doesn't agree with it, and that if they dared to have a voice she didn't agree with, she wouldn't consider it because she "knew better." She was their US senator and she dissed and dismissed them. It was a golden opportunity to encourage their involvement in issues at their young ages and she blew it because she "knew better."
The Professor is correct...Senator Feinstein needs to resign. Right now she is thinking only about herself and not about her constituents or her Democrat colleagues in the Senate. It is rather selfish behavior, imo.
You are correct. Aging is a fragile process that is not linear, yet if we are blessed to live long enough will face its challenges. I have retired from fulltime work, in part, to set aside for younger leaders to emerge. Governmental leaders are no different. You are also correct about age limits; one measure does not fit all. Senator Feinstein needs to resign from all indications and should not have to be told to do so....those around her should convince her to do so, now.
Senator Feinstein may not even be able to comprehend enough to recognize that she is a senator. She must be ordered to have a competency test. It seems that her handlers don’t want to let go of power. It’s disgraceful, she has destroyed her legacy.
The Senate is not a damn country club; Feinstein is not entitled to this absence! If she cannot do her job, she must do the honorable act of stepping down. Her legacy? NO! We need a functioning judiciary!!!
Alas, it would have been the politically smart thing if RBG had resigned after her health setbacks.
You are very correct on this issue,Sen.Feinstien most definitely needs to step down,for the good of our country.I realize she has done many good works,which are eternally appreciated,but the clock is now ticking and time's a-wasting.We have stuff we need to get done right NOW,not weeks or months from now when that clock runs out.
Please,Senator,do your final good work and step down,so we can complete the work that now needs to be done,before it's far too late to matter.
I agree that Sen. Feinstein must resign. If she resigns now, she will be seen as doing the patriotic thing on behalf of a whole lot of people, mainly women who would be appointed to important judgeships. None of this will happen if she waits until the end of this congressional term. She will rightly be seen as the Democrat who caused Republicans to get even more power than they deserve. As Prof. Reich notes, Dems have already pretty much lost Manchin and Sinema, both of whom can't get past their money addictions to do what is right for this nation. They can keep telling themselves that they are the true patriots (as Republicans do) when they are clearly only taking care of their own personal money addictions. If Sen. Feinstein retires, she will enable the California governor to appoint someone good who will carry on her legacy of service in the Senate. That should be the way it is presented to her and her staff. Fingers crossed!
With ALL due respect to her career, the very fact that Dianne Feinstein is not resigning on her own volition, holding up such crucial work in Congress, is proof itself of cognitive impairment whereby the country and the principles she has worked for all her life do not take precedence over her dogged self absorption in holding on to such an uncertain and tenuous future where she could ever again be of any help whatsoever, never mind the present urgent need for someone with full capacity, except as she can behind the scenes as a retired person. Who is it in the country and in her life that can convince her of it? A formal group appeal? Her family? Help!
Right now, California, the 5th largest economy in the world is represented by 1 senator while the other 49 states are represented by 2. For the good of the state and our country Sen Feinstein must step down NOW!
It’s very sad to see a once respected and competent woman completely destroy her legacy. Does she have any idea of the harm she is doing to America now? Doesn’t she care? Whose side is she actually on? Is her stubbornness to cling to power because of ego or dementia? In these past few years, it’s become so apparent that we can’t take anything for granted. I used to think naively that politicians who are corrupt or harming democracy would be kicked out. Why do we have to wait, hoping that they will voluntarily resign?
i agree 1000%. feinstein has demonstrated over the past 6 or so months that she is completely incapable of doing her job on behalf of the people who elected her. her positions of powers (especially on the judiciary committee) and her inability to perform AT ALL at this crucial time politically are outraging to those who wish to step up and do the work.
I share your concern, Professor Reich, For the good of the Country, the State, the party and most of all, the Judiciary Branch of Government, Dianne Feinstein needs to step down and she needs to do it now. I admit, I have not been an admirer of Senator Feinstein since 2002 when I emailed her and asked her to vote against the Iraqi war, and she emailed back saying she knew things I didn't and was voting in favor of the war. However I continued to vote for her. If she digs in her heels and hangs on until 2024, it may be too late. We have several really good people ready to step in to replace her. All are young, healthy, and progressive. Three particularly stand out, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, and Ro Khanna. I will happily support any of the three. Right now I am supporting Katie Porter, but I will support any of thee three. Please, Dianne, step aside and allow someone to do the necessary work.
I propose a mandatory cognitive battery of tests conducted for every member of congress as well as the President/VP and Supreme Court justices once every two years after the age of 65.
To be conducted in order to remain in their place of power.
I couldn't agree more, Dr. Reich.
And I've signed quite a few online petitions asking her to resign.
Furthermore, Nancy Pelosi is not doing the nation or the democratic party any good by attributing calls for Feinstein's much-needed resignation to sexist bias, which is not the case in this matter.
The general election is next year, and the fascistic forces working to install an autocratic leader in the White House are working on all cylinders from the radical right-wing scotus "justices," to fascist christians, to the increasing authoritarianism of red state politicians.
Senator Feinstein must resign.
Judges In America
I was taught by my parents and my teachers that JUDGES were and are held to higher standards the regular people. They have mandatory requirements they must meet like being impartial, being honorable, having a stellar reputation and leading by example. As Americans we can probably count on one hand how many impartial Judges there are!
Certain members of our SCOTUS need to look up the definition of the word HONORABLE. Why? Because they are NOT!! The definition I found was the following: honorable and impartial service to one's nation, a person of high respect as that shown for special merit; recognition or esteem.
Or how about the definition of being corrupt: Marked by immorality and perversion; Venal or dishonest.
You are supposed to be Role Models for the rest of us!
I admire and respect the work of both Pelosi and Feinstein (and am a constituent of them both).
Pelosi's allusion to the pass that has been given to male senators with similar health issues does point to unequal treatment, though i don't believe any senator should be given such a pass. But, as you clearly point out, we are in a political crisis with the judiciary that endangers our democracy, and we can not afford to indulge a senator whose absence is blocking the confirmation of Biden's nominees. Feinstein's comment that she is not holding anything up, that the nominees will all be cleared as soon as she returns (whenever that may be, she does not say), and her failure to grasp the danger at hand, show that her once very sharp mind is sadly compromised. She cannot see that she must retire. We need an intervention here! Schumer? Feinstein family members? Someone(s) must help her to leave, ASAP.
Several years ago a video posted to Twitter showed Senator Feinstein talking down to some students and their teachers regarding the Green New Deal. There they were in all their eager excitement, a group of students, young constituents maybe 11 or 12 years old, dropping off posters they had made and/or a petition or letters signed by all in their classes explaining why they hoped she would support the Green New Deal. It would have been so easy for her to thank them for their work and interest, and tell them she and her staff would review their work, as well as the legislation, and seriously consider their request. Even if she never intended to support it, what harm would it have caused if she said something that would keep them excited about being involved and fighting for what they believe is best for our world? But she didn't do that. She immediately said she couldn't support it and when they protested with excited but level-headed comments, she spoke over them, saying they were young and she had experience that they didn't have and she knew better than they did because she had been working at her job for so long. After a teacher made a comment, she told the teacher, "Then you should run for the Senate." The children looked immensely disappointed and I was so flabbergasted by her behavior that I was literally embarrassed for her.
Don't we want young people involved in what is negatively affecting our society and our world? In my opinion, she effectively told those children that they don't deserve to have a voice if she doesn't agree with it, and that if they dared to have a voice she didn't agree with, she wouldn't consider it because she "knew better." She was their US senator and she dissed and dismissed them. It was a golden opportunity to encourage their involvement in issues at their young ages and she blew it because she "knew better."
The Professor is correct...Senator Feinstein needs to resign. Right now she is thinking only about herself and not about her constituents or her Democrat colleagues in the Senate. It is rather selfish behavior, imo.
You are correct. Aging is a fragile process that is not linear, yet if we are blessed to live long enough will face its challenges. I have retired from fulltime work, in part, to set aside for younger leaders to emerge. Governmental leaders are no different. You are also correct about age limits; one measure does not fit all. Senator Feinstein needs to resign from all indications and should not have to be told to do so....those around her should convince her to do so, now.
Senator Feinstein may not even be able to comprehend enough to recognize that she is a senator. She must be ordered to have a competency test. It seems that her handlers don’t want to let go of power. It’s disgraceful, she has destroyed her legacy.