US President Joe Biden

Originally Posted by jfman

I’d be upset, but at 78 I’d be hoping to have my feet up retired not standing for election inviting criticism. Even better if I could do so on a former Vice President’s pension.

Well write yourself off if you want to but why should anyone else do so?

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by jfman

I’d be upset, but at 78 I’d be hoping to have my feet up retired not standing for election inviting criticism. Even better if I could do so on a former Vice President’s pension.

Maybe you think that now - but you wait till you're older and reach the conclusion that keeping the mind busy trumps putting your feet up.

[jfman]

Originally Posted by Maggy

Well write yourself off if you want to but why should anyone else do so?

Because old people deserve dignity in retirement and not be forced to work until their cognitive and physical decline endangers themselves and others? That should be the expectation and the standard.

Politics dominated by old, white, rich men isn't particularly desirable either, but that's an aside.

---------- Post added at 11:24 ---------- Previous post was at 11:14 ----------

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Maybe you think that now - but you wait till you're older and reach the conclusion that keeping the mind busy trumps putting your feet up.

A sodoku on the beach or debating the intellectual heavyweights of Cable Forum will be sufficient.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Maybe you think that now - but you wait till you're older and reach the conclusion that keeping the mind busy trumps putting your feet up.

You don't have to pretend to run a super power to keep your mind active.

[jfman]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

You don't have to pretend to run a super power to keep your mind active.

Well quite. And if he really wanted the title then President of his local lawn bowls club would surely be more appropriate.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

You don't have to pretend to run a super power to keep your mind active.

I was specifically referring to jfman’s preference.

Originally Posted by jfman

Because old people deserve dignity in retirement and not be forced to work until their cognitive and physical decline endangers themselves and others? That should be the expectation and the standard.

Politics dominated by old, white, rich men isn't particularly desirable either, but that's an aside.

---------- Post added at 11:24 ---------- Previous post was at 11:14 ----------



A sodoku on the beach or debating the intellectual heavyweights of Cable Forum will be sufficient.

There's a danger in that.Who gets to decide who is too old?

[peanut]

Originally Posted by Maggy

There's a danger in that.Who gets to decide who is too old?

Until it becomes obvious then you're right, who's is to decide...

But then there's the President who can't string a sentence together and clearly not all there should definitely not be in that position and no one can really argue with that.

Then there's there's those are just too grumpy, moany and complains about everything like Victor Meldrew. Not good for any situation, and best avoided.

Oh well perhaps we should start deciding who is too young to be making decisions like that about others?

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Maggy

There's a danger in that.Who gets to decide who is too old?

How do we decide it for civil servants and heads of the armed forces?

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Maggy

Oh well perhaps we should start deciding who is too young to be making decisions like that about others?

Ha ha! On this forum? Average age what? 50? 60? 70?

The US Presidency already has a minimum age requirement.

I think the electorate can ultimately decide but it does seem you would want an upper age limit of around 70? It's not just mental acuity but also physical fitness. Being President is a demanding job in terms of concentration, energy levels, sleep schedules and stress.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Damien

The US Presidency already has a minimum age requirement.

I think the electorate can ultimately decide but it does seem you would want an upper age limit of around 70? It's not just mental acuity but also physical fitness. Being President is a demanding job in terms of concentration, energy levels, sleep schedules and stress.

I get the point you are making but wouldn't fly as a democratic principle.

Wisdom comes with age but there are exceptions. In Biden's case, the US people have elected the president they deserve or, more particularly, the party caucus system has delivered the candidate that it deserved.

The above said, the US system is weird and thus generates weird or inappropriate politicians.

[jfman]

Wisdom comes with age so does having outdated opinions and a diminishing understanding of the modern world.

I suspect the Biden blind spot is because he defeated Trump.

The where do we draw the line argument is a red herring - all around the world countries enable laws drawing an arbitrary line at the “young” side without massive contention. Marriage, smoking, alcohol, sex, serving in the armed forces, standing for election.

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

I get the point you are making but wouldn't fly as a democratic principle.

Wisdom comes with age but there are exceptions. In Biden's case, the US people have elected the president they deserve or, more particularly, the party caucus system has delivered the candidate that it deserved.

The above said, the US system is weird and thus generates weird or inappropriate politicians.

I am not that animated about it be honest, the electorate can decide.

Wisdom comes with age maybe but it is a double-edged sword as change and new ideas can come with youth but this isn't relevant when it comes to debating if they should have an age limit. It's only for health reasons we would have it. Biden is almost 80 for example.