Notebook: He is too old

EDITORIAL MUG: Larry Anderson

The founders did a darn good job with creating our political system, but they erred twice in my opinion. One oversight was in not naming term limits for members of the House and Senate; the other was not placing age limits on the same bodies, SCOTUS and the presidency.

I realize at the time the founders were empowering the vote and the weight of unencumbered appointment, but that was also a time when life expectancy was shorter and there was an emphasis on service over career. Things have changed.

The country’s architects laid an age floor for Congress and the presidency. To become a member of the House one must be at least 25 years of age. In the Senate the requirement is 30. The president must have reached age 35. By defining an age requirement, the founders recognized the need for maturity and experience for those seeking high office, but they failed to name a ceiling, an age when retirement might be preferable to ambition, a time when sunset’s reality should be commiserate with the good of the country.

In the House 25 out of the 435 members are presently over the age of 80. Six senators are over 80. Diane Feinstein, a Democrat, is 90; Chuck Grassley, a Republican, is 89. It is clear Feinstein is little more than occupying a seat, and it seems unlikely Grassley is a dynamo. The country needs youth and vigor as much as it needs experience, and these enduring politicians help make my case for age limits.

There is a time when one needs to go home, seek the hammock, and reflect on laurels earned. That time needs a number. By contrast to this logic, Nancy Pelosi, 83, has announced she will seek re-election next year. That’s depressing in itself.

I’m not trying to be ageist, mean or unfair, but there is a lot at stake. The truth is cognition isn’t the same for oldsters as it is for a younger person. There’s no quick step anymore, less endurance for lengthy debate, and less ability to lead by example. Political passion is diminished and respect fades into pity. That’s just the way it is, and we should accept that reality and look to change.

I believe a reasonable age to top out in Congress and the presidency is 75. That’s a generous decade past when most people are looking to leave career or job. Obviously, if you are elected or re-elected at age 74 or whatever, you would be able to finish your term, but that should be it. We need people who are in their prime, not past it, and the country needs renewal over persistence. One reaches a point where hanging around isn’t admirable.

Joe Biden is nearly 81. He’s too old for the job of president. This is evident in his cognitive lapses, his shuffling gait, his temperament, confusion and frustration. He is worn and stressed and, at times, seems disinterested. His need constantly to rest and recover means he is not on top of his job. America–indeed, the world–needs more from the globe’s most important position.

There’s more to it. It is becoming clearer daily that Biden is a party front man and that his handlers are the ones running things. This is evidenced by the fact he often reads from a script, gets his words from an earphone, stumbles away from questions and interviews, is led by the hand, and loses his sense of direction. A younger Joe wouldn’t need constant watching nor would he have tolerated it. He must sense the need for constant guidance, or he’s been told this is the deal. Either situation is telling.

Presidents need to be dynamic to excite support. Real leaders bring others to them rather than exercise a litany of talking points that have been around since their college days. I don’t think one idea put forth from this administration originated with Biden. He’s less interesting than an Idaho spud, but he’s also a prop for his leftist handlers. It’s sad in a way but dangerous in another. It’s past time for change.

Let’s give an old-timer a break by sending the message it is necessary to retire for the good of the country. America needs an originator, not a fossil doing his best to follow his party’s instructions while at a loss to lead by his own volition.

Larry W. Anderson is a retired educator.