RICHMOND – After 48 years of mostly government service, retirement looms for U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, 71. “I haven’t had a day since I announced that I was going to leave that I thought, ‘I wish I had another 7½ years.’” Blunt spoke last week at the office of the Richmond News and The Excelsior Springs Standard. He said deciding to “retire” did not come on a whim. “That’s the longest decision you make in politics – the Senate decision,” he said, “because it’s two years for the campaign, and if you win, it’s six years after that.” Blunt is looking ahead. “I’m kind of a ‘next chapter’ (person),” Blunt said. After a “retirement” sabbatical, the former Southwest Baptist University president plans to open that next chapter. “I don’t think I need much of a break. ... I don’t have enough hobbies to successfully retire.” Blunt started in public service in 1973 as the Greene ...