Is John McCain Too Old to Be President of the United States?
By Barbara Morris, R. Ph.The answer is who knows? Was Ronald Reagan too old when he became president? It could be argued that yes, he was too old because he acquired Alzheimer's Disease and we don't know the time of onset and how it may have affected decisions he made while in office. However, you don't have to be "old" to get Alzheimer's. It's afflicting people in midlife at an alarming rate.
A friend and I were discussing the presidential race and she said she didn't worry about McCain's age. Yes, she was aware that statistically, chances of his not making it through his term in office are greater than if he were twenty years younger. However, he could be twenty years younger and die from a heart attack.
Thoughtful people are rightfully concerned about McCain's age, but I am appalled at how his opponents are using it to gain an advantage among those who cannot think for themselves. Witness uninformed young voters making fun of him because of his age. Many of the mindless are "college students." After hearing their rants I have come to the conclusion that no one should vote until they have experienced the lumps and bumps of at least ten years in the real world, have been fired from a job at least twice, been denied a job promotion on account of their youth and above all, have acquired a modicum of common sense. Certainly not all but many of the students can't put an original sentence together. They chant scripted bumper sticker slogans that are riddled with "ums" and "ya know" at every other word. And to think they are allowed to help determine the future of the country. Is such criticism a form of ageism? Maybe so, but it's also reality.
The focus on McCain's age highlights how much our society dislikes, devalues and even has contempt for old people. On the plus side, whether or not you agree with McCain on issues, you have to agree that he exemplifies the potential that exists in old people. Many men his age are more than over the hill, they are over the hill and six feet under, not as a result of misuse but from lack of use. However, we can't blame individuals entirely for this deplorable state because our society is rigged against mature productivity. Thanks to our decline oriented retirement culture older people too often quickly become the equivalent of rusty old garbage cans.
When it is the norm to kick back and do nothing because you've reached an arbitrary age, few people except those with the genes of a pit bull have the courage to pull away from the pack and stay productive. That John McCain has proven he has more courage than ten pit bulls should inspire all older people to explore and use their latent potential.
Productive older people are in short supply. According to statistics, in the next five years 40% of Boomers are expected to retire, resulting in a costly skilled labor shortage for U.S. manufacturers. It is unfortunate that the retirement phenomenon is so deeply ingrained in our culture that even innovative companies lack the ability to develop future vision regarding valuable employees. If companies made an effort to delay full time retirement with flexible work plans and retraining they could save themselves and potential retirees a lot of grief.
Understandably, after a lifetime of work, most people are ready and eager to call it quits. But as Pastor Rick Warren bluntly stated at his Saddleback event for the candidates, we are made to work. Those who can and do work are lucky. They contribute not only to their own quality of life but to the common good of all.
To paraphrase an old Tina Turner song,
"What's love age got to do with it?"
Source: September, 2008 Put Old on Hold Newsletter
Barbara Morris — Image F/X Publications
Barbara@PutOldOnHold.com
760-480-2710
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