Do you think there should be an upper age limit on senators, representatives and the president just as there is a minimum age requirement in the Constitution?
If so, what should it be?
Is there anyone who thinks Senator Domenici at 75 (today) and John McCain at 70 don’t show some reduced capacity already? Reagan was nearly 78 when he left office; surely (without regard to his policies) his capacity was diminished. Don’t even get me started on Ted Stevens (83) or Robert Byrd (89). And it isn’t the same thing that a Senator has a distinguished staff. We don’t elect the staff.
Forced retirement at age 65 or 70 was common in American society until recently. Age discrimination cases got these limits removed in many instances (though law enforcement officers and pilots are still limited). Did the pendulum swing too far?
If we reached into civilian life and mandated a fairly early retirement, it would free up a lot of good jobs for people in their 40’s & 50’s.
It would also make our health care/insurance situation a lot more visible to people who presently can’t seem to see the problem. That’s right : our situation is a problem.
It would hinder so much wealth accumulation, another rather invisible USA problem.
How?
– progressive taxes that rise with wealth, income, AND and age factor. Taxes rise after 60, if you are at a certain level.
– benefits reduce if participation lasts past 65. Have a max SS pile that is reachable by average American by age 55, then take away from people FAR above that.
– increase Estate Tax
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Please add yours.
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BTW, Byrd seems better than fine.
I thought we already had a problem with a lot of experienced people leaving the labor force, especially public and Union workers who have decent pensions. Millions of others can’t afford to retire, and will have to keep working.)
Can you really tell much about people’s performance or wisdom by their age, especially in knowledge jobs like Senator or Supreme Court Justice or Professor?
And how would it be helpful to throw a large batch of middle-aged people out of the health care system?
I guess I framed the issue too broadly because I was asking more about elected officials than the society at large.
while heavily stylistic in demeanor and stentorian skills, at this point byrd does not seem demonstrably non compos mentis. approaching the end of his career, he set his own high standard in the sickening early days of the current war, perhaps with an eye towards history.