Too many olds in high-level politics

Just saw a video of Feinstein during a vote literally have 2 staffers lean over to her and say "just say aye".  Caught on an open mic.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hot-mic-catches-feinstein-told-vote-aye-awkward-committee-moment

Many old people can not live independently.  Manipulated at times for personal gain.  Your family is all you have left at this time in your life.  For some its family members that manipulate and plot as well.  The government is far worse.  Its disgusting.

I'll just sum this up.  If you are infirm and have value to the government you are used, otherwise you are expendable. 

Crazy

Today, about a quarter of Congress is over the age of 70, the highest percentage ever. At the same time, while half the country is aged 38 or younger, just 5% of Congress can say the same.https://t.co/aIP4HVT0sl pic.twitter.com/xeywxV08lP

— Insider (@thisisinsider) September 13, 2022

posted by iclfan2

Crazy

Today, about a quarter of Congress is over the age of 70, the highest percentage ever. At the same time, while half the country is aged 38 or younger, just 5% of Congress can say the same.https://t.co/aIP4HVT0sl pic.twitter.com/xeywxV08lP

— Insider (@thisisinsider) September 13, 2022

Damn, I knew it was bad, but the actual numbers just make it so much worse. We're living in an era with all sorts of technological advances with all the social media platforms, AI and all that stuff...and a quarter of the legislative branch of the government, the leader of the executive branch and a fair number of the judicial branch are all in the, "Sonny, can you set up my VCR? I don't get these new-fangled gizmos!" age bracket.

posted by Heretic

the, "Sonny, can you set up my VCR? I don't get these new-fangled gizmos!" age bracket.

You misspelled "the people who invented the gizmos you rely on to live or at the very least invented the necessary platforms they're built on" age bracket. ;)

posted by Heretic

Damn, I knew it was bad, but the actual numbers just make it so much worse. We're living in an era with all sorts of technological advances with all the social media platforms, AI and all that stuff...and a quarter of the legislative branch of the government, the leader of the executive branch and a fair number of the judicial branch are all in the, "Sonny, can you set up my VCR? I don't get these new-fangled gizmos!" age bracket.

While that used to be true for my now 80-yr old mother, she's become quite savvy by using google and figuring out how to do this stuff.  It's not an absolute that people's minds go in there 70s and 80s.

On the flip side, I also don't think it's a great idea for a bunch of 20-30 somethings with limited life experiences making policy.  Many are still filled with naive and idealistic views from college and haven't had enough "seasoning" to understand how the world really works.

Take AI, for instance.  Who's likely to fuck that up way worse - the old people who justifiably fear what they don't understand well, or the the young 'uns who are too stupid and arrogant to realize they don't know what they don't know?

posted by gut

While that used to be true for my now 80-yr old mother, she's become quite savvy by using google and figuring out how to do this stuff.  It's not an absolute that people's minds go in there 70s and 80s.

On the flip side, I also don't think it's a great idea for a bunch of 20-30 somethings with limited life experiences making policy.  Many are still filled with naive and idealistic views from college and haven't had enough "seasoning" to understand how the world really works.

Take AI, for instance.  Who's likely to fuck that up way worse - the old people who justifiably fear what they don't understand well, or the the young 'uns who are too stupid and arrogant to realize they don't know what they don't know?

posted by Heretic
I was thinking more the happy medium of 40s and 50s. In other words, my general age bracket because I'm the bestest and smartestest.

I don't know if it's related to decline or just easing into tenure/teaching, but I remember reading somewhere that academics reach their "prime" in their early 40s.

posted by gut

I don't know if it's related to decline or just easing into tenure/teaching, but I remember reading somewhere that academics reach their "prime" in their early 40s.

Being in the field I see those in their late 40’s to late 50’s are some great teachers….BUT, the vast majority of the longtime greats are a struggle with the newer stuff or alternative ways that might be introduced.  OR they become great at the new materiel and alternative ways BUT it seems to put more on them and they become not as compassionate with the kids and don’t seem to enjoy them as much either…….then you take the mediocre and poor teachers when they get to that age, many aren’t of any count to very many kids.

Personally, age 49….pretty stuck in my ways. I feel more like a male role model, father figure type showing them how to act, manners, appropriateness in different situations, sportsmanship, listening skills, problem solving skills than someone who teaches, flexibility, movement skills, sports skills.

I agree with the concept of term and age limits for the most part. You probably shouldn't be running for office if you're going to be 70+ when you get sworn in. Let's just make it 69 (nice) or younger on the date you are sworn in.

I think the bigger fix is to repeal the 17th amendment. Because age/term-limits don't prevent Oz vs Fetterman, but repealing the 17th does. We should not be voting on Senators. Give that back to the State legislatures.  

If term limits were passed, I would think it would solve the age problem, as few would be likely to vote for geezers running for their first term.

posted by majorspark

Hopefully Mitch Mcconnell remains frozen. 

Well, he kept Garland off the Supreme Court.  

Heck Fetterman makes him look like a millennial.

posted by Fletch

Just saw a video of Feinstein during a vote literally have 2 staffers lean over to her and say "just say aye".  Caught on an open mic.

Rigged ?

Now Feistein has had her daughter signed in as the executor of her estate.  She must be literally a zombie, but hey she is a rubber stamp Dem.

posted by Fletch

Now Feistein has had her daughter signed in as the executor of her estate.  She must be literally a zombie, but hey she is a rubber stamp Dem.

A "rubber stamp Dem" that the Pubs love having in office more than the Dems now because it's pretty damn hard to be a prolific rubber stamper when your attendance is based on whether your rotting living corpse person is actually capable of showing up to do said rubber stamping. After all, the Pubs did block an attempt to replace her on the Judiciary Committee while she was out for an extended period of time due to shingles because it's to their advantage to have her on the job instead of someone possessing the vitality to actually fulfill her role on a daily basis.

On a related note, she joined the Biden/McConnell list of politicians to have a publicized fall according to the news today.

Bump'd due to just reading about McConnell having another "incident" where he completely froze up while speaking. Dude's about thisclose from transforming from Cocaine Mitch to Zombie Mitch, where not even the cold, cold grave will prevent him from holding office for eternity.  For added hilarity, apparently he was speaking to reporters who were asking him about running for re-election when his current term ends.

posted by Heretic

Bump'd due to just reading about McConnell having another "incident" where he completely froze up while speaking.

Just saw it.  Almost as bad as the first.

Never seen anything like it.  Seems almost like some type of epilepsy, maybe triggered by medication. 

I'd say I can't imagine anyone not stepping down in that situation if their health was really an issue (rather than just an issue with medications), but Feinstein blows that away.