Why is it so important for retired leaders to stay out of politics?

lol actually it does make sense. How about from this perspective, using ones rank in the military establishes a credibil9ity factor ( "street cred" as they say now) He/She is NOT "Joe schumck" off the street with just an opinion. Generals and Colonels have "Heads of Business" or Leaders in their field as their contemporaries and are well qualified to speak on various topics. It's like a person with a 3.0 and college degree in lets say English applying for a job in Marketing. The person may not be as qualified as a marketing major but it does show the person has the discipline and grades to be considered as opposed to someone who with only a High school diploma may be a riskier candidate. The English grad has more "street cred" than a High School grad when it comes time to consider if the marketing grad can't be found.
Unfortunately actors and actresses like Eve Longoria or a Sean Penn are propped up on the same soapbox as if they had the same credibility. History has shown actors and generals are NOT contemporaries.

Col John Verling - Well sports personalities and actors discuss military and people seldom question their intentions or credibility. Politicians discuss military intervention when they just shouldn't. Why limit ourselves?

Speak by all means. Just use ones rank appropriately.

Rank just confers a level of accomplishment within the military, which helps establish some level of credibility. And, normally people are introduced (or referred to) as a former officer, which is not the same as the officer using it for a bully pulpit (which I haven't seen any do...other than Allen West). If the rank of senior leaders shouldn't be used as a means to establish their credibility, then former CEOs shouldn't use that accomplishment either. Neither should Governors, Senators, Representatives, etc. After all, those are all just terms that show they have some form of standing to try to legitimize their opinions. I don't see any problem with it. In fact, I'd like to see more officers involved politically, either supporting candidates or actually running for office. Although they may be political opposites, I'd prefer to see many more politicians like Tammy Duckworth and Tom Cotton and far fewer politicians like Ted Cruz and Alan Grayson.

I see no problem with them expressing their opinion. They are retired now.

I would prefer if they only express their opinion if it agrees with mine:).

Maj John Bell - (JOKE ALERT) personally, I really like pols, stats and sound bites that confirm my bias. It's just easier that way.

Perhaps we should form our own ticket. You be POTUS. I like my naps.