Tim Skoog with Jane Clayson in Dudley Square

Consider this: teenage Bostonians can’t remember a time when Tom Menino was not the mayor.

At Radio Boston, we don’t take sides in elections.

But the idea of “Mayor for Life” is something of a contradiction in a democracy.

Given Mayor Menino’s consistent popularity in public opinion polls since he was first elected in 1993, you have to hand at least one thing to candidates who run against him — like City Councilor Michael Flaherty — they’ve got “game.”

Still, this mayoral election has got me thinking about dynasties in other big American cities. In Chicago, Daleys have run the show for the better part of the past half century. And Mayor Michael Bloomberg has convinced New York City to cast aside term limits so he can run again.

What do you think about political dynasties and is Mayor Menino closing in on his own? What are the up sides and potential downsides?

We’d like to hear from you.

And thanks for listening – Jane.