this post was submitted on 01 Sep 2025
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Politics

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Understandably, we don’t much like talking about death, and have an even stronger cultural distaste for criticizing the recently departed, or senior citizens for their declining health. But sometimes there are more pressing practical problems we have to confront. Many of us have been there at some point with our own aging relatives, and know how difficult it can be to take the necessary steps. But sometimes, it simply is necessary, and we are not doing anybody any favors by looking the other way.

America’s political gerontocracy is a genuine problem. It fuels dysfunction, distrust, and concrete negative policy consequences. We can’t sweep it under the rug any longer: too many of our high officeholders, including a disproportionate number of Democrats, are simply too old. It’s not unacceptable ageism to say so; it's the cold, hard reality. And it’s time to confront it head on: we need a mandatory retirement age for politicians.

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[–] t3rmit3@beehaw.org 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

I think that a hard age limit is good, and has more to do with not having people in charge whose age separates them from the people whose lives their decisions are altering. Yes, there are other things separating politicians from the negative effects of their actions as well, but those can and should be dealt with as well, and aren't a reason not to solve the age issue.

I think the cutoff should be standard retirement age, so 65 in the US.

[–] Rhaedas@fedia.io 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

67 now for probably the majority. How do you deal with politicians who decline earlier than that? And why can't we use the techniques to handle that for everyone instead of a limit?

[–] t3rmit3@beehaw.org 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

How do you deal with politicians who decline earlier than that?

I am pretty certain there is already a process for removing people proven mentally unfit.

why can’t we use the techniques to handle that for everyone instead of a limit?

Because that's solving for a different problem.

[–] Rhaedas@fedia.io 1 points 2 weeks ago

I am pretty certain there is already a process for removing people proven mentally unfit.

Over the decades of seeing how elderly politicians barely function in their position but not only remain but get reelected, and good lord the situation right now... I don't think there is.