Posted on 04/24/2019 3:43:23 PM PDT by Kaslin
USA Today has run a seriously hot take on the issue of term limits and public service from author and former police officer Marshall Frank. He’s turning 80 this year and wants to share a bit of perspective with you on the subject of both elected officials and Supreme Court justices. The long and the short of it is that at some point you’re simply too old to be entrusted with these responsibilities and we need to set limits on how long people can continue in public service.
I am turning 80 this month. I don’t care if I were the smartest politician in government and/or could still climb mountains — I would have no business being a president of the United States, a Supreme Court justice or a member of Congress at this age.
I feel in good shape, but I definitely have far less physical and mental stamina than I had 10 or 20 years ago, no matter how I try to fake it. While there may be exceptions, that’s the norm.
Of course, some lucky people are one-up in the genes, but the wear and tear of years on the mind and body have an effect on everyone and should not be risked in critical positions of power that affect all Americans. No offense to seniors, but it is important that our government employ the fittest and finest among our citizenry.
Well, this conversation is definitely veering into some dangerous territory, isn’t it? I’ll just start by saying that I tend to be sympathetic to what Frank is saying, at least in general terms. He’s got two decades on me, but I can attest that even reaching 60 years can take a toll on you. I too have noticed that I’m not only far from peak physical performance, but my mental acuity has already started to slip at times. Of course, I come from a family where that seems to run in our genes and others are no doubt far less affected. But given the differences between individuals when considering this question, is there a point where you’re simply “too old” to do the very important jobs in question? (Frank is talking about presidents, members of Congress and Supreme Court justices for the most part.)
One initial response many may have is that this can’t be constitutional, right? I mean, it would be age-based discrimination, wouldn’t it? But the fact is that the Constitution has some of that baked right into the cake. There are plenty of otherwise qualified, legal adults out there who are barred from being elected to the Senate or the Presidency. Granted, those are minimum age limits, but there’s nothing that specifically prohibits maximum age standards in every case.
The military rejects older applicants based on age all the time, though they allow themselves the option to make exceptions in special cases. You can’t join the Army (for the first time) if you are older than 35. It sounds to me like you’d need a constitutional amendment to establish a maximum age for federal offices, but I’m not entirely sure that a law doing so would fail under challenge.
If such a thing were to magically happen overnight, the immediate impact would be drastic. If the cap is set at 80, Ginsberg and Breyer would have to be shown the door immediately. But even if you’re a conservative, don’t cheer too loudly. Thomas and Alito would be the next two to go. If Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders are elected next year, neither of them could finish their first term. (Unless we’re only setting the maximum age when you are elected.) Either way, neither of them could run for a second term.
If we applied the rule to the Senate, five members would be out immediately. (Four Republicans and one Democrat.) Nine members of the House would have to go as well, though mostly Democrats. The point is, some people are still viable (if not the “fittest and finest” as Frank says) very late in life. Others may be of more questionable mental stability or acuity while still in their prime. Could Frank’s plan be legally put into place? Probably… particularly if we managed to pass a couple of Constitutional amendments. Should we do it? I think we’re on morally shaky ground there. The best method of enforcing term limits remains the voters. If we can put up with an old geezer doing an important job, then we’ve got what we asked for.
I’m totally against it, I don’t think being old should disqualify.
I disagree. A generous old age limit will be helpful.
Maybe 80, no less than 75.
I’m 71, and I like to think I can focus intensely in bursts, but not at the energy level or length of time that I used to. And, I think I’m better off than most people my age in terms of health and energy level.
Need a constitutional amendment. Good luck with that.
—stamina-—
There you have it.
At 77 I am physically able to paddle my kayak for an hour or so if I rest at intervals and slay bluegills with my fly rod.
The same is true for real office work. I run out of steam. When on the ball, I am on the ball but not like it one was.
I think Biden is more like me tha Trump
Older men lack testosterone and thus stamina
They are senile as is so get rid of them based on that.
There would hundreds of resignations in congress along with most of the supreme court.
Ronald Reagan was just shy of 70 when he was sworn into office and the media and Left said he was too old.
Gray Beaver Warren is currently 69 and will turn 70 this year.
Creepy Joe Biden is currently 76 and will turn 77 this year.
Stalinist Bernie Sanders is currently 77 and will turn 78 this year.
Al Gore Junior is currently 71 years old.
John FTA Kerry is currently 75 and will turn 76 this year.
Hitlery Rotten Clinton is currently 71 and will turn 72 this year.
National Socialist Maxine Waters is currently 80 and will turn 81 this year.
Nutzi Peelousy is currently 79 years old.
Schmuck Fumer is currently 68 and will turn 69 this year.
Ruth Buzzi Ginsberg is currently 86 years old.
Stalinists lie. Always
In a pure sense, I agree with you.
Part of me says there is a practical limit...where they say to themselves “I don’t care...I’ll be dead” when it comes to living under their stupid decisions. Especially SCOTUS. I will extend that to POTUS too. Is “Bernie the Commie” really lucid enough to hold down the job? What about Biden? One wonders what kind of shape Trump will be in, in six more years.
For every man who has taken on the job they look like crap when they leave. Even Obastard look bad by the time he checked out. W. Bush looked haggard, as did Bubba before him.
I tend to agree, Monty, but given some of the foolish idiots presently being elected to “congress”, perhaps we should chew over a competency test before people being allowed to be placed on the ballot.
Being “young” is no guarantee of understanding our laws, Constitution, and history.
Being “old” isn’t either, but some wise elders, who have sharp memories, will help the youngsters by reminding them that “this was tried before, and didn’t work out too well.
Personally, I think we have tipped over the edge, and “that’s all folks” for our grand experiment. I pray that Trump can pull off a miracle, but he is only one brave man, and the world is against him, even though he is right.
Too many people are too stupid to understand that they are “Pogo”. Or killing the “Golden Goose” - whatever... They just want the goodies for today, and the heck with tomorrow, and will vote for whatever fool promises them the most “stuff”.
But you agree with the Constitution’s disqualifications for relative youth?
“Term limits on the basis of age? Tricky”
How about just having term limits for all?
Most people believe they are better than most people. No one ever believes that they are at or below average. Roughly half the world is worse off and the other half is better off.
When I hit 80,four years ago, I got hit with many debilitating ailments like cancer, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, poly myalgia rheumatica and add into that 3 strokes and probably more that I just ignore.
My wife who is in otherwise good health reaches 80 also 4 years ago, and comes down with Alzheimers.
I have friend who ar3 in their 90s but they are exceptions and could go down quickly. - Tom I am around plenty of older people and would set the limit at 80 for a presidential run, not just from my personal experience but what I see of the people around me, and how they lose some of their memory, and I don't mean Alzheimer's I mean everyday experiences for mentally fit people. - Tom.
When I hit 80,four years ago, I got hit with many debilitating ailments like cancer, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, poly myalgia rheumatica and add into that 3 strokes and probably more that I just ignore.
My wife who is in otherwise good health reaches 80 also 4 years ago, and comes down with Alzheimers.
I have friend who ar3 in their 90s but they are exceptions and could go down quickly. - Tom I am around plenty of older people and would set the limit at 80 for a presidential run, not just from my personal experience but what I see of the people around me, and how they lose some of their memory, and I don't mean Alzheimer's I mean everyday experiences for mentally fit people. - Tom.
Dunning-Kreuger effect.
If you’re implying I’m probably wrong in thinking I’m doing better than most my age, that’s OK, but my point is that even if I am, I wouldn’t want the responsibility of a high pressure, high profile, high-energy-demand job. At least, I can see my energy level dropping. I suspect its true for RBG and others on the Court as well.
Never new that effect had a name. I would have to now agree that you are doing better than most. I see your point and agree. I just read that financial acumen peaks at age 57 then slowly declines into the 60’s then drops precipitously after that.
Absolutely.
So if okay on one end, why not the other?
I believe in the founding fathers’ wisdom on this subject. There’s clearly no ‘too old’ barrier’. Perhaps there could be senility tests or something, but that would need an amendment and I don’t think that’s likely.
I agree. No amendment is likely.
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