I'm so old...

[babylonsister]

I remember when politicians were admired for their age because that equated to knowledge and experience. Think McCain, Kennedy, Moynihan, the list goes on. What happened? Why is it such a sin for President Biden to be an elder statesman? I think he should be praised because he's learned a thing or three and has proved it, specifically irt diplomacy and temperment.

Maybe Dems need to change this disparaging framing of anyone who is older. And why is it ok for McConnell to keep doing what he's doing with obvious health issues, yet Biden needs to go? Doesn't make sense.

[LiberaBlueDem]

1. Biden will live to be 102

And be revered for his years in office when great progress was made

[peppertree]

10. Your words to God's ears.

And may they be happy sunset years for them both.

I was once told by a palm reader that I'd live a "very long life" - and that's all good and well, as long it's alright.

As they say, it's the life in your years.

[usonian]

2. Mister Freeze is facing karma for the damage he has done to the country.

Fake is in the works. Warming up the vacuum tubes in the computer.

You're as old as you think.

I'm getting younger. So is Joe.

[KS Toronado]

3. I'm so old I remember the very first Flintstones's cartoon in prime time

I also remember when NO elected R would stand behind tricky Dick and support him!

[Evolve Dammit]

4. I hear ya. They had to prop Strom Thurmond up and use toothpicks for eyelids...

[Marthe48]

5. Typical rw hypocracy

For me, not for thee.

President Biden is not only mentally sharp, he maintains his physical fitness. Sound mind, sound body. Or smart mind, sharp body

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. Age ain't what it used to be.

Roosevelt died when he was 63 years, two months, and two weeks old.

[Warpy]

7. It's the "OK Boomer" generation, I guess

We were the last to experience the protections of the New Deal and the effects of strong unions. Of course, once we went to work, that all ended and we were landed in the same mess as subsequent generations and no, nobody asked our permission to do this to us all.

Biden is a mixed bag (unlike TFG, who was just plain awful) but on the whole, he's had one of the best first terms in office I've ever seen and no, I don't want to put him out to pasture because he's got white hair and talks slow.

I'm afraid it's news media across the board that is pushing the narrative that says Biden, who's in great shape for his age, should be dumped in favor of some guy who doesn't have a lifetime of experience dealing with Republican jackasses and getting things done. It only makes sense if you're a billionaire major stockholder in one of the media conglomerate who lives in terror of having his taxes go up and antitrust laws enforced.

I see the Republicans defying Amendment 14 and nominating their prize pig for the simple reason too few of them will be able to agree on nominating anyone else. I don't see him being elected, as sensible states won't even allow him on the ballot.

Biden is not a liability, he's the strongest Democrat I've seen in office since Johnson. I'll be happy to vote for him again if the circular firing squad doesn't fuck the country over again.

[rurallib]

8. Why is it such a sin for President Biden to be an elder statesman? you ask

It became a sin when the extremists realized that a black person, a woman and an Asian would succeed Biden should something happen to him. That successor is one person named Kamala Harris.

No one cared the Trump was and is a physical mess since his successor was an even pastier white guy and most probably will be the same should he (gawd forbid) is the extremists candidate again.

[Torchlight]

9. If nothing else, it makes it easy as hell to separate the chaff and the wheat.

Those pushing the age shtick as though it were an actual concern do themselves few favors, but it helps me out a lot by shining a big ol' spotlight on their performance, letting me know that 'here's another one to dismiss out of hand.'

[redqueen]

11. Look at Feinstein and McConnel.

Moynihan wasn't in office when he died, he left office a couple of years before when he was 74. Ray gun famously slept while his evil minions ran the shop.

I think most people would prefer that leaders retire before they're incapacitated.

[Sky Jewels]

17. Exactly.

So many DUers scream "ageism!" at any mention of this topic. They want to try to pretend that 90 is the same as 60. It just is not. I was angry when Feinstein sought re-election (to a six- year term!) in her mid-80s. And look what has happened. She shouldn't be in the Senate. And neither should McConnell. But now we have to cross all our fingers and toes that Feinstein makes it through her term so Biden can get judges confirmed. We shouldn't be in this position!

Unfortunately, a lot of very old politicians from both parties put their egos and desire to retain power ahead of the best interests of their constituents and the American people as a whole.

[Joinfortmill]

12. Yup, I agree. And the press sucks.

[edbermac]

13. I'm so old I never thought I'd see a president worse than Nixon.

He's a fucking saint compared to Trump.

[calimary]

15. HAH! No shit!

I, too, thought we couldn't possibly do worse than Nixon. Boy was I wrong.

But what really disturbs me is - I'm certain there are many here and elsewhere who are sure we couldn't possibly do worse than trump. And unfortunately, the response is: just give it time.

[slightlv]

14. All this "age" thing regarding Biden

comes as the same time we elders are being disparaged in any number of ways... from once again falling into poverty because SS hasn't kept up, and our lives and accomplishments being disregarded amid any number of calls to voluntarily (or non-voluntarily in the case of Covid) to give up our lives for the sake of the economy and "younger" generations.

This is another systemic issue that no one seems willing to address at this time... instead, they keep pushing the age=infirmity formula. I readily admit I can't hold a candle to what Biden can do. I have a hard time multitasking two problems at any time in my life now. And health? Forget about it. With two autoimmune diseases, I'm lucky to get out of bed each day. But then, I'm a woman whose life time earnings have been affected by that same gender difference, which truly shows itself in my elder years, as my earnings level at the prime of life reflect the low "wages" today. And I was justifiably offended when the TX legislator said I should be willing and eager to give my life to Covid.

As respect for the elderly goes down, we'll see lots more of this. Doesn't help we're in a generational transition, to boot. Last time I saw it this bad was in the 1960's and 70's. As well as Reagans 80's. He was, I believe, the driving force to get our SS checks taxed by the IRS. My parents generation was the last generation to truly realize the assistance the New Deal afforded them. Only now, with more of them alive because of the aid early on in their elder years, have the states started bearing down hard on anti-New Deal laws.

[lindysalsagal]

16. I remember when politicians could be shamed into governing

That's how old I am.

[Sympthsical]

18. I'll give an honest answer

Because I don't like when rhetoricals are met with, "It's because people don't appreciate that we're just too awesome!"

There's a difference between reading as older and old. There are many public figures who read as older but still seem energetic, they're still doing their thing, they're still engaged.

Then there are those who do not seem that. Feinstein and McConnell don't read as older. They read as old. Slowing down. Not as there as they used to be. Well past their peak and already well engaged with a decline.

And people can cry, "Ageism!" until they're blue in the face, but we recognize this fact in all kinds of professions and circumstances. If you want grandma and grandpa to babysit your kids, I will bet all the money that you are taking into consideration how attentive and sharp they are before making that choice, that they will have a careful handle on everything.

So it must be with the country. No one is entitled to these jobs. This Power Forever read many politicians have is part of the problem in this country. It allows power, wealth, influence, and policy to concentrate to the benefit of ever smaller, increasingly entrenched groups. It's not healthy for democracy. And in a rapidly advancing technological society, we do need people who are vaguely aware of how the rest of America lives, how technology is changing things and affecting us economically and socially.

I do not get that from your average Senate hearing.

So it comes down to that question. How is someone reading - older or old?

That's what you're seeing in the polls.

Having a technological democracy led by an oligarchic gerontocracy is one of the most paradoxical things we've managed to date.