A reader writes:

I would have much preferred the House remain in the hands of a party grounded in reality, but I can't help but see a silver lining to this cloud. Ike Skelton, John Spratt, and Jim Oberstar had 98 years of congressional experience between them. I'm sure they had points in their favor, but 98 years between three guys?

When these guys entered congress: the Cold war was alive and well; China's economy was too small to mention; most homes had three television channels and no computer; American-made products were a reality, not a memory; and there was an actual middle class. Of course, there's no guarantee their replacements won't be any less dated in thirty years, but if the tree of liberty has to be watered with the blood of patriots, maybe it gets fertilized by politicians who overstayed their welcome.