Should age ever matter?

"What is the sweet spot to serve our country, in my humble opinion? Between the ages of 50 and 70. That is it. By 50 you have gained enough wisdom to serve, and by 70, your health should have held out. Beyond 70, it is time to call it a day and go fishing."

Ever notice in the real world, people work up until 65 (at an average). Some pull the plug at 60 (or thereabouts), and others work until 70. It is rare you hear of someone working beyond 70. Why? For many of us, our bods don't want to handle that stress anymore. Besides all of which, there is this thing called "retirement" which has been in our windshield since we first started working. The idea of having enough money to live on, and not having to do anything more to earn it, is almost too good to be true.

Last night, Elijah Cummings (D-MD) died. Although in poor health, most did not see this coming. Cummings was only 68 years old. Last month, on the campaign trail, Bernie Sanders had a heart attack. He is 78 years old, and running for President. Although a wiry  little cuss, and did not carry the extra weight that Cummings did, running for President is about as stressful and strenuous as it comes. Sanders had a stint or two put in his heart, and is now back in the meat grinder known as campaigning.

Here is the reality with the folks running for President. Sanders is 78. Biden is 76. Warren is 70. Bill Weld is 74 and Donald Trump is 73. In 2016, the average life expectancy in the United States was a hair under 79 years old. Get the picture? Folks in their 70's should be concentrating on how to catch more fish, or which travel location to go to. Not still be in the rat race. In politics, is the plan to work until you die? No thank you.

Anyone who has listened to Biden in the debates, or on the campaign trail, knows this (if they are honest). The Joe Biden of 2019 is not the same Joe Biden of 2009. He gets tongue tied, muddled and confused. Not a criticism - very normal for a man of his age. It is a fact that our cognitive ability starts to wear down after age 65. Don't believe me? Take your annual Medicare Wellness Physical from age 65 and up. First couple questions are cognitive. 

I am not saying folks in their 70's are ready for the grave. What I am saying is this - I not only support term limits, but also age limits in government. I have said this for years. At age 70, you are done. If you are running for President and will turn 70 during your term, you are too old to run. 

It is not just the President. The average age in the Senate is 62 years old. The House, about four years younger. That is the average. We know for a fact there are a whole lot of folks in the Senate who are in their 70's and 80's. John McCain served right up until he died at age 81. Never had the chance to enjoy retirement from his Navy career nor his Senate career.

Those who know me, know that I am a huge President Trump supporter. That being said, I worry about his age. By the time he finishes his second term, he will be close to 80. Nancy Pelosi is already close to 80, and the problems with being that old are already starting to show on her. 

What is the sweet spot to serve our country, in my humble opinion? Between the ages of 50 and 70. That is it. By 50 you have gained enough wisdom to serve, and by 70, your health should have held out. Beyond 70, it is time to call it a day and go fishing. Or whatever. Just stay out of government.