It’s weird when you think about it. We often go to great lengths to extend our lifespans and/or encourage or even help others do so. Yet we often are dismissive of those who who do actually live many years, sometimes a decade or more past a normal life span. Even if they are by most measures doing just fine, at least most days.
When you think about it people overall have some contradictory views about aging. On the one hand most aspire to live to a ripe old age, and most of us know at least one or two people who’ve made it into their 80s, or even 90s and still seemed spry. Either mentally or physically or both. We’ve also known people who even at only forty or fifty years old so messed up physically or in the head (or both) they need to as I like to put it ‘get better just to die.’Â We admire some old folks, and others we wish would just shut up and go away to quietly live out their years with close family/friends.
I read an interesting article from MSNBC written by a Dr. Kativa Patel who had an interesting take on what everyone agrees was a bad debate performance by President Biden. Dr. Patel didn’t get caught up in the is Biden too old/infirm, or has Biden “lost” it? type thinking. Nor did he speculate on whether the President should be on the ballot in November. Instead he says:
But I came away from the debate with a different takeaway: How does the United States treat its aging population? Despite advancements in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, ageism remains one of the last socially acceptable prejudices, not so subtly ingrained in our culture, media and institutions.
I’ve stated in prior articles (and almost certainly will do so again) the President IS up to the job and those taking shots at him are doing incredible damage. Damage that might mean the end of the American experiment. It’s also true that there’s a nasty aspect of human nature that causes people to sometimes take potshots at the powerful and successful even when most of the time they admire such people. We see it with entertainers, athletes, business people and yes, politicians. Toss in personal ambitions on the part of elected folks who see a chance to advance their own careers and power and I guess it’s not a surprise with some blood in the water some political sharks have started circling.
Yes, President Biden is old. So is Trump. Whether in a suit or in casual wear (say golf shirt and slacks) look at them side by side and tell me who’s fit and who isn’t. Actually listen to them talk for a while whether using a teleprompter or not and tell me who’s got a solid, working mind and which one makes you say WFT? This guy’s running for the WH? It’s a no brainer.
Dr. Patel points out some obvious things. Age comes for all of us if as he notes we are lucky. We all know it and many if not most of us have either been impacted by it or know someone who has. That brings me to another point he brings up which is that we so often see or portray aging as something to fear which in turns reinforces negative stereotypes. However he then brings up the fact that people, hell society keeps pushing to increase longevity! There’s an entire industry devoting to living longer and more active, fulfilling lives.
I’d like to bring up some familiar names. I’m sure you all recall the angst over the late Senator Diane Feinstein’s refusal to step aside before her last election. She hadn’t been up to the job for some years at that point. Yet think about another Senator. John McCain was 81 when he died of a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer. His physical infirmities we’d all seen for decades but his mind was still as sharp as ever, even after his tumor was diagnosed!
Let’s go way, way back. Last week was a 4th of July I didn’t celebrate. Yet both in the drive to declare Independence and later on Benjamin Franklin was already both elderly and in bad physical shape yet he was a key force in this country’s establishment. He was 84 when he died, and back then that was an unusually long life span. Especially for someone with his physical maladies. The guy had to get carted around due to his gout! However in his final years played an active role in the drafting and ratification of our Constitution. Anyone out there want to tell me Franklin wasn’t sharp, forceful and someone to be reckoned with even if he sometimes “looked” like he should have been dead and buried? And what about fellow founders John Adams and Thomas Jefferson?
Jefferson and Adams both died on July 4, 1826. Jefferson who was much more liked (although brilliant Adams was vain over his intellect and rubbed lots of people the wrong way) remained influential even in his later years. The Monroe Doctrine was very much a product of Jefferson’s views. Adams of course was a trusted advisor to his son during John Quincy Adams’ Presidency. Although he and Jefferson had a famously bitter falling out they eventually established a meaningful dialogue again. Their letters show two men with a firm grasp of complex matters both about current events of the time and issue the country would be facing in the coming decades. Jefferson was 83 when he died and Adams was 90. Again, unusually long lifespans for that era.
President Biden has been effectively engaging world leaders and Congress Critters when need be (although with the GOP blocking stuff there’s not much to do) so here’s the question that matters. Is the President Feinstein? Or is he McCain, and Adams & Jefferson? And Franklin? Again I believe the answer is obvious. So anyone who hasn’t done so should ask that very question, and once they realize the correct answer ignore the freaking debate and get back to work letting others know what President Biden has done and will do in a second term. And what Trump did and how much worse HE would do in a second term. It’s really that simple. At least from where I sit.
Age discrimination is a real thing and I know from firsthand experience. It became clear in my late 50s and I knew others going through the same thing when looking for a job. Yes there are those who see value in a lifetime of experience but usually employers find a way to discriminate that keep them out of legal trouble. Still, with age people show signs even when they are okay mentally and even physically. It’s just that older folks tend to be viewed with more concern (or sometimes even harshly) as Dr. Patel notes:
Biden’s symptoms on display during the debate were a medical textbook of common findings for a geriatric population — delayed response time, difficulty finding words and so on. Combine that with little sleep and a viral illness or a cold, anyone over the age of 40 would likely suffer similar symptoms like hoarse voice, slowed reaction time and confusion.
Dr. Patel goes on to discuss the age paradox: “Our desire to live longer is difficult to reconcile with society’s treatment of people who manage to do it.” He cites some polling data, and says concerns aren’t unfounded because cognitive decline decline can in fact “affect decision-making, memory and the ability to handle stress — all critical aspects of presidential responsibility.”
However, he goes on to say:
But it is also true that age brings experience and wisdom, undoubtedly valuable assets in a president.
We are in extraordinary times and need a President with an extraordinary and wide range of experience and knowledge. So I’ll conclude by again saying just WHO can Democrats put up who can match Joe Biden’s ability to actually DO the job? He will have gaffes on the campaign trail to be sure. At the same time he will have his share of good moments. Personally I’m hoping we see lots of Dark Brandon moments.
I’ll also leave you with one final thought. The most reliable voting bloc has always been senior citizens. Given their decades long attacks on Social Security and Medicare it’s always mystified me as to why seniors don’t overwhelmingly back Democrats for federal office, especially for President. But they vote GOP. Keep an eye on any polling that focuses on seniors. I have a feeling the ageist attacks on President Biden might not be playing well with a lot of seniors, including some lifelong Republican’s who are financially comfortable and putting up with their scheming to “put them to pasture” and take over their affairs. Just saying.
“…might not be playing well with a lot of seniors, including some lifelong Republican’s who are financially comfortable…”
Goof point. And by this time they should have realized that they already have enough of their own money so more tax cuts shouldn’t make much difference. If you’re not paying ANY taxes already, whatcha gonna do, have them pay you?!?
Speaking of Jefferson and Adams, this is a good article about them:
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thomas-jefferson-and-john-adams-die
At age 70 getting ready to turn 71, I weigh ten pounds more than I did in 1971. I walk 3 miles a day and work out with weights 3x week. I have grown children but spend my time playing with an eight year old. I’m lucky. I have always enjoyed exercising. I can guarantee you that I can hold my own with men half my age. My woman of the past 18 years is twenty years younger. The biggest difference in me now is I don’t do the same stupid shit I used to. The only ones who think experience doesn’t matter are those without any. America…grow the phuck up before your stupidity destroys our children’s future.
Small nit: Dr. Patel is a “she.”
I’m 78. My mother lived to 93. My grandmother lived with us while I was growing up, and died in her eighties. I also had a great-aunt who died in her eighties. Two of us had dementia, but it isn’t I (yet) nor was it my Mom. But I have seen it up close and personal, and Joe is not it.
Even if he were, or became so while in office, or even died in office, so what? that’s what we have a 25th Amendment and a Vice President for. Also, one of Joe’s strong points is choosing excellent staff – his Cabinet is quite capable of keeping the government going. And the alternative is unthinkable.