Who you be in favor of an age limit on our government officials? (1 Viewer)

[msudaisy26]

I was at a family gathering this weekend and politics came up. Amazingly the conversation stayed very civil despite the fact that no one agrees.

However the one thing we agreed on was that there should be an age limit to running for office. We all agreed that you shouldn't be able to run for office if that person's 70th birthday happens during the year the are running for election or re-election. 

 

[KPD]

I think it depends on the person.  There are lots of people with dementia before age 70 and lots of others that seem perfectly capable past that age (Elizabeth Warren stands out in this cycle I think).

So, no formal age limit.  The voters should (unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working that way lately) be able to determine if age weakens the candidate sufficiently and choose someone else.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

I don't believe there should be a limit, but generally don't think anyone should vote for anyone over 70.

 

[Mookie]

I said 75.  Mandatory retirement age is a tough one.  On the one hand, it makes sense to make sure that our elected representatives remain competent - I can make a stronger case for physicians and judges.  On the other hand, we should be free to elect whomever we want, regardless of age.

 

[msudaisy26]

I think it depends on the person.  There are lots of people with dementia before age 70 and lots of others that seem perfectly capable past that age (Elizabeth Warren stands out in this cycle I think).

So, no formal age limit.  The voters should (unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working that way lately) be able to determine if age weakens the candidate sufficiently and choose someone else.

I agree with this some what, but even though people like Warren, and Sanders still seem to be perfectly capable. They are still mostly likely has been some decline in the last 10 to 20 years even for them. 

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

 On the other hand, we should be free to elect whomever we want, regardless of age.

Are you in favor of dropping all the age requirements that exist now?  

 

[jon_mx]

Who you be?  

 

[KPD]

I agree with this some what, but even though people like Warren, and Sanders still seem to be perfectly capable. They are still mostly likely has been some decline in the last 10 to 20 years even for them. 

Well if you have to be in peak form, then we should look at reducing the minimum age.  A lot of the best ideas come from those young enough to dare to try things differently.

 

[Mookie]

Are you in favor of dropping all the age requirements that exist now?  

For what?  Are we still talking about mandatory retirement age?  I voted 75, but said I can see both sides, meaning that I am on the fence as far as politicians go.  I think the argument for mandatory retirement age is far more persuasive for doctors and judges, neither of whom are elected.  

 

[parasaurolophus]

Of course.

But i support age limits for about 1000 other things too. 

So i am the wrong ageist to ask. 

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

For what?  Are we still talking about mandatory retirement age?  I voted 75, but said I can see both sides, meaning that I am on the fence as far as politicians go.  I think the argument for mandatory retirement age is far more persuasive for doctors and judges, neither of whom are elected.  

No I mean the constitutional requirement that you have to be at least 35 years old to run for President, and I think 30 for Senate and 25 for the House.

 

[msudaisy26]

Well if you have to be in peak form, then we should look at reducing the minimum age.  A lot of the best ideas come from those young enough to dare to try things differently.

Great idea!

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

No I mean the constitutional requirement that you have to be at least 35 years old to run for President, and I think 30 for Senate and 25 for the House.

I would be. I don't think someone younger than that generally has the experience to hold that level of office. However, philosophically I don't like restrictions on my vote. 

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

I would be. I don't think someone younger than that generally has the experience to hold that level of office. However, philosophically I don't like restrictions on my vote. 

I think we should have a minimum and maximum, because voters might be dumb enough to elect a baby or somebody in his late 70s. 

 

[Sheriff Bart]

I think we should have a minimum and maximum, because voters might be dumb enough to elect a baby or somebody in his late 70s. 

You can only be 38 would be interesting. 

 

[BigSteelThrill]

There is an age limit, its called the voters.

The older the more wisdom.

I'd much rather see term limits, like the potus already has. 16 years seems about right.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Of course.

But i support age limits for about 1000 other things too. 

So i am the wrong ageist to ask. 

I'm a big 21 fan. Army, drinking, smoking, voting, taking the public money to be a politician.

 

[Sinn Fein]

As an absolute rule?  No age limit.

But, I certainly apply my own subjective criteria to candidates.

I think Biden, Sanders, Bloomberg, Trump are all too old to elect to a 4-year term as president.

I think Warren is pushing it.

 

[Gopher State]

I was at a family gathering this weekend and politics came up. Amazingly the conversation stayed very civil despite the fact that no one agrees.

However the one thing we agreed on was that there should be an age limit to running for office. We all agreed that you shouldn't be able to run for office if that person's 70th birthday happens during the year the are running for election or re-election. 

If this was the rule the democratics would not have any candidates 

 

[jon_mx]

In my lifetime the greatest president by far was Ronald Wilson Reagan who was first elected at age 70.  Maybe we should raise the age requirements.  

 

[msudaisy26]

In my lifetime the greatest president by far was Ronald Wilson Reagan who was first elected at age 70.  Maybe we should raise the age requirements.  

Not exactly. He won office at the age of 69, and took office a couple of weeks before his 70th. It  is widely believed that he was losing it his second term and was more of a figure than policy maker.

 

[msudaisy26]

As an absolute rule?  No age limit.

But, I certainly apply my own subjective criteria to candidates.

I think Biden, Sanders, Bloomberg, Trump are all too old to elect to a 4-year term as president.

I think Warren is pushing it.

In a perfect world I completely agree with this. We all know it isn't perfect and people would bend and twist the rules to fit their wants. So with the system we have I would support an age cap with no exceptions. 

 

[jon_mx]

Not exactly. He won office at the age of 69, and took office a couple of weeks before his 70th. It  is widely believed that he was losing it his second term and was more of a figure than policy maker.

Despite the fact Reagan may have had hints of Alzheimer's before the end of his second term, the idea that Reagan was ever a figure head is an absurd left wing talking point.  Reagan was always in firm command of his White House and it was late in his second term where he delivered one of the greatest speeches of all-time (tear down this wall) and later in December 1987 when he negotiated and signed a nuclear arms treaty with Gorbachev.  The relationship Reagan carved out with Gorbachev was key to the eventual fall of the Soviet Union.  Reagan was quite the opposite of a figure head in every sense of the word. 

 

[-OZ-]

I'm generally against institutional discrimination. But I'm a crazy libertarian.

 

[-OZ-]

As an absolute rule?  No age limit.

But, I certainly apply my own subjective criteria to candidates.

I think Biden, Sanders, Bloomberg, Trump are all too old to elect to a 4-year term as president.

I think Warren is pushing it.

I don't think they are too old. 

The remaining candidates are too... Other things, but it's not an issue of age. 

On the other hand, if I knew who Biden (say, Pete or klobuchar) would pick as his VP and who Sanders (say, Warren) would pick, that would probably sway my preference. (I'm not voting for Trump). 

 

[Ilov80s]

No age limit. Why deny the people the geriatric leader they desire?

 

[huthut]

Was debating between 65 and 70, went for 70 since that would be more sellable. I am not necessarily concerned about mental decline, though there is probably SOME mental decline by those ages, it is not necessarily anything dementia related. My main concern is the focus on short term "re-election" type policies, that are detrimental in the long run. Sure, if I cut taxes now, voters will like me, and when we run out of money in 20 years it is no longer my problem. Or anything to do with climate change for the same reason.