Bill Pascrell (D, NJ-09) is a vicious, nasty, divisive asshole, Save Jerseyans. The most concise way to describe him? He’s “part of the problem” in this country of ours which suffers under the yolk of a permanent political class that believes it rules by right rather than by consent of the people.
I still don’t wish the man any ill will.
I’m not going to lie about my low opinion of the man – somehow, I’ve always thought feigned respect feels just as disrespectful as open contempt – but I’m also not going to kick someone who is clearly down. He is human after all (albeit a gross one), so I sincerely wasn’t the least bit happy to hear that he’s back in the hospital for the second time this summer. The former mayor of Paterson reportedly needed breathing assistance during his touch-and-go July hospitalization, and according to The New Jersey Globe, it sounds like the 87-year-old congressman is suffering a relapse on the eve of the Democrat National Convention in Chicago.
By way of background for those of you who don’t know him, Pascrell entered Congress in 1997 (when yours truly was 12 years old). If he is reelected in November for a FIFTEENTH term on Capitol Hill? He’ll officially be the oldest currently serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives. For some perspective, and the benefit of my fellow millennial (and younger) readers, Bill Pascrell’s tenure in Washington, D.C. began ONE YEAR before Google came into being. He’s presently on president number five, and since the incumbent isn’t seeking reelection, he’d be serving under a sixth career president in January should he return to the House.
Enough. The man clearly isn’t healthy and is well past his prime It’s time for Bill Pascrell to retire from public life, and if he does so no later than August 27th, then his district’s party leaders can still replace him on the November ballot. We know winning is what Democrats care about!
It’s hard to not view this sad episode through the lens of events happening at 30,000 feet. Today’s Democrats fancy themselves the guardians of “democracy” and our democratic institutions. Of course, they selectively defend the aspects of our country’s foundations which serve their purposes when the rubber hits the road, and one aspect of our system which they routinely overlook is the Framers’ strong preference against enabling career politicians. Their vision of government involved brilliant young men on the way up (and older, wiser gentlemen who had actually accomplished something) who would sacrifice a finite period of time to serve in a particular office before going back to their respective ploughs.
Pascrell doesn’t fit neatly or at all in either category. I doubt he could man a plough given his present condition.
Much like his fellow octogenarian Joe Biden, Bill Pascrell’s time is nevertheless clearly up. The signs are everywhere. 9th District voters deserve a choice between Republican Billy Prempeh and someone else on the Left whom – at the risk of being insensitive – they can have confidence will actually finish out the coming term, one which will be frought with perils both foreign and domestic for our increasingly fragile republic.
Pascrell now needs to make the hardest choice facing any public official, and uncoincidentally the tradition which more than any other has made this country great: to voluntarily lay down power in the interest of his community and his country.
Unfortunately for all involved, statists like government and enjoy power, so following the example Cincinnatus and Washington is the thing that comes the least naturally of all. Here’s hoping Bill Pascrell salvages what’s left of his career by doing at the end of it what he failed to accomplish during the rest of it: honoring the best traditions of our country’s glorious founding and put his nation ahead of the narrow self interests of his faction… and himself.
Resign, Congressman. And I genuinely wish you the best of health as you hopefully transition to the next phase of your life.
