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Timothy Patrick's avatar

The Constitution requires presidents be at least 35, an indication that we have long understood that lacking brain development and knowledge are disqualifying factors on the front end of the age spectrum. We should apply this logic to the other end as well.

Even though there are plenty of folks who live healthy lives longer than the statistical average (I know a woman who is 100 that is more mentally sharp than me some days), we should pick an age where the stats tend to drop off for health indicators, even if it feels a little bit arbitrary. I believe that no one should begin a term after 69, meaning the oldest serving officials would complete their terms at 71 for House members (2-year terms), 73 for presidents (4-year terms), and 75 for senators (6-year terms). For Supreme Court justices, who currently serve life terms, mandatory retirement at 75 would ensure similar protection against decline.

This wouldn't silence elder wisdom; experienced statespeople could serve as advisors, mentors, and public voices without holding the daily responsibilities of office, or leaving constituents voiceless during secret health issues. Just as importantly, it would create space for fresh perspectives in a system that currently suffocates young talent.

Leadership transitions should not be driven by crisis, yet the current system of letting leaders subjectively evaluate their own fitness creates exactly that. The cases in this article - from Granger's memory care to Biden's 'good days and bad days' - show the cost of our reluctance to set clear guardrails. My former Senator Dianne Feinstein didn't get a mention, but she was another recent example of someone who was clearly incapable of her job, surrounded by people lying to the public about her reality.

These situations force us to have icky conversations about folks in wheelchairs screaming angrily about having their photo taken - a spectacle that serves no one. Age limits would actually make politics more respectful to seniors, sparing them from public scrutiny of their decline while preserving their legacy of service.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Leasha Megehee's avatar

I would love to see older senators and representatives mentor and cheer on the younger generation to rise up and serve in politics. It seems that they find it difficult to release some of their “power.”Maybe that means term limits should be considered also.

Since we have peaceful transfer of power, shouldn’t we be allowing younger people to fill these positions so they have time to learn before getting on the more prestigious committees?

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