PM hopes to rule at age 75 - (Cdn PM Paul Martin) - Globe and Mail

[Screaming Lord Byron]

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031219.wumart19/BNStory/Front/

Ottawa — Paul Martin wants to be Prime Minister for 10 years, which would see him leave office at 75, a year younger than Canada's oldest-ever leader.

In year-end interviews with a series of television networks, the new Prime Minister said he wants at least two terms in office, and hopes to last 10 years -- the tenure enjoyed by his predecessor, Jean Chretien.

"I've often thought that 10 years is the right time to be in a job," he said when asked how many terms he will seek. "But we'll see."

This raises an interesting question. How old is too old?

[Minstrel Boy]

1. I know the Liberals are an arrogant bunch,

but this kind of hubris is just begging to be swatted down.

It's up to us, Mr Martin, how long you'll be in the job.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

3. He does seem to take Democracy pretty lightly, doesn't he?

'That apparently won't be enough for Mr. Martin, who said he will need time to accomplish his goals: "I think we're going to be able to do an awful lot in the first mandate, and I hope we're going to be able to do an awful lot more in the second."

He wants to be careful, that does sound a lot like Liberal Arrogance to me. Never take the electorate for granted. That's the worst thing a politician can do.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. People shouldn't just be discarded once they reach a certain age

As long as he still has all his mental facuties, and the voters still want him, he should be allowed to serve.