What has age got to do with it?
The ongoing commentary about the relative ages of the two Presidential candidates is becoming tedious. What matters most is their ability to lead. By the time of the election, Trump and Biden would have each spent a term in office. So, there has been sufficient time for the American people to have formed an opinion about their worthiness to take office for another.
So, how old is too old? Well, it depends on the individual. Many years ago, we were astonished when someone became a centurion. Now, it’s expected. It is part of our evolution. The same is true of our height, which has increased over centuries. People of seven feet are not uncommon.
Of course, this also applies to our cognitive abilities. Former Australian politician Barry Jones’s sagaciously intelligent mind is still writing books at 90, and Bob Hawke, at 89, took a significant interest in the world around him. John Howard will be 85 in July and takes an active interest in politics.
Rubert Murdoch is still telling lies. He is 91 and has become engaged yet again, while Paul McCartney toured Australia at 82.
Maggie Thatcher was very old until she lost it. Her friend Mikhail Gorbachev lived until 91. The famous French resistance leader and President Charles de Gaulle was 80. Fidel Castro was the President of Cuba, aged 82. Queen Elizabeth was still serving her people at 96.
Spanish artist Picasso was still knocking them out at 91, and the Russian author and philosopher Leo Tolstoy was still writing at 82. US Industrialist Henry Ford was still producing at 84. American inventor Thomas Edison was still working at 84.
These days, 90-year-olds have been known to obtain university degrees.
In America, you must be over 35 to be eligible for the Presidency, 30 to be a Senator, and 25 to enter the House. Its parliament is filled with aging politicians.
The New York Times lists twenty congressmen and women as aged. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is 81, and Nancy Pelosi will finish her term at 83. Plus we have:
- Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, 90 (retiring)
- Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, 89
- Representative Grace F. Napolitano, Democrat of California, 86 (retiring)
- Representative Bill Pascrell Jr., Democrat of New Jersey, 86
- Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Democrat of the District of Columbia, 86
- Representative Harold Rogers, Republican of Kentucky, 85
- Representative Maxine Waters, Democrat of California, 85
- Representative Steny H. Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland, 84
- Representative Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, 83
- Representative James E. Clyburn, Democrat of South Carolina, 83
- Representative Danny K. Davis, Democrat of Illinois, 82
- Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, 82
- Representative John Carter, Republican of Texas, 81
- Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, 81
- Representative Frederica S. Wilson, Democrat of Florida, 80
- Representative Anna G. Eshoo, Democrat of California, 80
- Representative Kay Granger, Republican of Texas, 80
- Representative Rosa DeLauro, Democrat of Connecticut, 80
- Senator Jim Risch, Republican of Idaho, 80
- Representative Virginia Foxx, Republican of North Carolina, 80
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress).
Well, let me finish with the American Actor Cary Grant. He had five wives and fathered a child after he turned 60. (Steve Martin also became a father at 67, btw.)
People have children later in life, and sporting careers are being extended. Playing professional sports at 40 is common nowadays. Age is becoming less critical in all facets of society. Yes, we are living longer – for some, painfully so. Living to 80 was beyond my comprehension as a child, but here I am at 83, still writing for The AIMN, with an active interest in all that life offers those who enjoy its neverending wonderments.
Of course, the curious among us will contemplate life’s reason and others its purpose, while some will endure it. We all think about its unfairness, suffering, and the energy it requires.
Gaining wisdom to answer philosophical questions requires a deep understanding of all that inhibits us. This understanding comes from long-term observation and experience. With time, we develop the intuition to look at things from different perspectives and make wise decisions. Therefore, aging is not just a process of getting old but can also be a path towards gaining knowledge and wisdom.
The cohort of people most prone to age abuse or bias is those we call the baby boomers.
So, what has age got to do with it?
In particular, for the two aspirants for President of the USA.
Young politicians should not use their age to “create doubt” about the competency of aged politicians, and aged politicians should not use their age as a weapon of superiority.
Ageism is a critical issue that our society must address. To tackle this problem, we should only mention a candidate’s age when it’s legally required. It’s crucial to treat people of all ages with respect and dignity. We must focus our conversations on the candidate’s “qualifications and merits rather than their age.” Let’s have fair and thoughtful discussions that encourage us to value everyone’s contributions, regardless of age.
Understandably, American voters may have concerns about the competence of the candidates. However, we must remember that the First Amendment protects free speech, regardless of its accuracy. Thus, the challenge for the voter lies in finding a balance between protecting their rights and ensuring that the information shared is truthful.
And rightly so. Both have shown instances of observable ageism, be it by forgetting names, places, or physical difficulties.
In this instance, voters, the American people, will elect the (alleged) leader of the free world.
Despite everything I have written, how does one eliminate the age factor? Is it possible to overcome human nature?
Well, no, you cannot. You cannot eliminate it from your judgment. The American system has given its people these two men to choose from.
In my view, Donald Trump and President Biden should be ordered to undergo a mental examination to ascertain their fitness to govern the country. If necessary, the Supreme Court could order both to submit to a complete physical and psychiatric evaluation if they were not prepared to do so voluntarily.
President Biden appears to be medically fit. His mental faculties seem reasonable.
On the other hand, former President Trump might pass a fitness test, but his cognitive capacity is highly doubtful, and on that finding alone, he would be disqualified from running.
In addition, he faces many legal problems involving him defending many indictments (that could go on for years) while running for office, possibly from a prison cell.
My writing should not be interpreted as favouring those who have had the privilege of living long lives. Instead, I deeply empathise with those who seek the vitality and vigour of youth.
In 2016 I described Trump as follows:
“Australians see Trump as a sick, deluded, and sexually abusive narcissist and corrupt criminal with a limited understanding of complex world problems. He is a crash-through politician with a ubiquitous mouth who is entertaining to some but lacks the worldly character required for leadership.”
And that, has nothing to do with his age.
My thought for the day
Time doesn’t diminish the crime.
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13 comments
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Andrew Smith
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Douglas Pritchard
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Terence Mills
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GL
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John C
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andyfiftysix
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paul walter
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Douglas Pritchard
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GL
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New England Cocky
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wam
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GL
Return to home pageAgeism has been used selectively in the US by MSM to focus on Biden’s age, but ignore all the issues surrounding Trump; in fact Biden matches the top half of the above median age vote well.
Further examples include, still…., not just NYT citing an older and suboptimal NYT/Siena poll (claims youth support Trump), much RW MSM is ignoring any poll where he is ahead of Trump, or former VP Pence not supporting Trump (hidden in a middle page), to focus front pages on Biden’s age….
Advanced age means you have the benefit of your children doing the business under the table while you get on with regime change and arms deals, and oil and gas ventures.
Hence you are able to finance a run for the top job and you are beyond the law then.
But of course this would never happen in a country which is democratically run?
Thanks, John
Whilst I’m the same age as Biden, I do recognise that some of us lose our marbles at different rates of ageing but provided the two contestants can demonstrate that their cognitive abilities will not lead the planet down a blind alley then so be it.
This morning we have noted that the US put a weak resolution to the UN Security Council on Gaza calling for a cease fire during Ramadan and the release by Hamas of all hostages : clearly this was going to be defeated as it was one sided and I wonder how clear thinking people cannot come to an agreement that the war must stop NOW. This is the blind alleys that I allude to.
John, I noted your observation on the first amendment to the US Constitution which, among other things guarantees the right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press but as with all lawyer drafted undertakings it is qualified and has outs : the guarantee applies to US citizens only so Julian Assange is subjected to the full force of the punitive US legal system but is unable to claim the rights guaranteed by the first amendment to the US constitution : as they say, ‘go figure’.
When it comes to the next generation I despair :
Jared Kushner Trumps son-in-law has praised the “very valuable” potential of Gaza’s waterfront land and suggested Israel should remove civilians while it “cleans up” the strip.
We are an imperfect species !
Age does not guarantee wisdom.
I do believe that The Donald is losing his marbles at an increasing rate.
Good article John. Your 2016 description of Trump is still as relevant today. Perhaps even more so now that we have seen the results of his first ‘attempt’ as POTUS (Pathetically Obnoxious Traitorous Utter Scumbag). And that has nothing to do with his age either!
I can only speak for my self.
As I have aged i do notice that my physical capabilities are dropping.
I still can do a hell of a lot just not push concrete full wheelbarrows or climb ladders. I am starting to get signs of arthritis on my fingers which hasnt affected my guitar playing yet. My sexual appetite hasnt diminished at all.
As for my mind, i think i am still all there. I can see things a lot better than when i was young.
My opinion is that if you can do the job, fuck agism. A big hand out to Coles for giving me a job last year.
I’m sorry, but the US reduced to such people as Trump and Biden for a choice? Let alone the likes of Mitch McConnel and some of Supreme Court judges there- I don’t think it is “ageist” to ponder a political system that produces such a choice, any more more than it is “sexist” to wonder at the selection of the likes of Michaelia Cash or Sussssssam Ley to our politics.
Believe me, I DO take Andrew Smith on board.
If he not said what he said, I would have had to say it…
Old age does result in one getting into a rut, doing the same thing over and over.
Well from time to time I get to see “Midsomer Murders” and I learn that there is an amazing array of “MOs” (modus operandi) and this should be watched by the CIA, and Mossad, who are stuck in this groove.
Maybe its just me, but we are trained to recognise the importance of a history making day?
So recently, we Westerners, have witnessed the 9/11 event, and now its the 6th October (and Putins contribution on 23rd February).
It follows the pattern of great spectacle followed by an insane amount of murder and mayhem generally following the trajectory of the party kicking things off.
What is always missing is to check the veracity of the planned event. Common to all these crimes.
But an older head of state cant be expected to remember to check on such trifles.
Keep the target moving.
The Donald has a new carpet chewing rant: Engoron and James knows he, supposedly, had $500 million in cash and now they’re trying to swindle him for $454 million he’s on the hook for. What happened with the other supposed $46 million he also has, they don’t want that?
Usually with age comes wisdom, however with Trumpery and his German role model it appears that narcisists are too busy looking up their own backsides to learn anything.
$5 billion in fantasy fiction (Matrix?) money. It isn’t real unless it’s verifiable cash in his bank account.
https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/wealth/trump-adds-5-billion-to-fortune-overnight/news-story/8719a95679972bffd7517367a10f3f2c
Spot on, lord, age is but one factor in wisdom and competence.Trump id a constant reminder of having one experience continually repeated without learning from the experiences of others.
Surely, Biden could not win against anyone but trump?
ps
what was once a crime is now not???
We can always rely on good ol’ nasty little childish mind Donald to dig his cesspit deeper even while he’s at the bottom:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/29/donald-trump-joe-biden-bound-and-gagged/