by Pa Rock
Septuagenarian
While most of us exhibit a certain amount of discomfort in discussing our own mortality. the bottom-line truth is this: we all have an expiration date. At some point our bodies will quit functioning, forever, and our surviving relatives or friends will be tasked with the unpleasant chore of disposing of our remains and dividing up our accumulations. And other peoples' lives will presumably go on without us.
We all expire - and regardless of what our expiration date turns out to be, one certainty is this: each day that we survive, we also move one day closer to reaching that expiration date. At some point it is all over, and the older we get, the closer that day is.
The average life span in the United States in 2016 was 78.69 years. Remember that. That same year the average life span in the United Kingdom was 80.96 years - over two years longer than their American cousins, Canada was 82.30 years, and the Japanese boasted a life span of 83.98 years - more that five years longer than the average life of a resident of the United States. (Apparently universal access to health care does make a difference!)
But this posting isn't about the advantages of allowing people to access health care. This is a commentary on age - and particularly the role that age plays in public service and politics.
Donald Trump is the oldest person to ever be elected President. At seventy-two (now) he is well into his elderly years. He enjoys eating fast food, is physically out-of-shape, and has been officially diagnosed as "obese." With Trump's proclivity for intemperate living, the Grim Reaper may claim him before Mueller does - and while that reality might not upset everyone, the people who elected Trump to serve a four-year term may feel savagely cheated if they wake up one morning and find a wimpy Mike Pence and Mother moving their stuff into the White House.
The Democrats could easily take advantage of Trump's age and physical shortcomings by nominating someone far younger and more dynamic to run against him in 2020 - and they have many good candidates and potential candidates who fit the bill, people like Kamala Harris, Julian Casttro, Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, Beto O'Rourke, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Pete Buttigieg.
But the Democratic Party also has several old war horses who should be out enjoying life in the pasture, but instead feel that they are somehow owed one more Run for the Roses.
Joe Biden (currently 76) is reportedly very close to announcing his candidacy. Biden, who has been running for President for over thirty years, somehow feels that 2020 might be when all of the magic will come together and place him in the Oval Office. Bernie Sanders (77) is also gearing up for another run and has reportedly already recorded his announcement. Billionaire Mike Bloomberg (77), a fierce anti-gun advocate, has been dancing around the edges of an announcement for months now, and Hillary Clinton (71) seems to be trying to get some traction as a potential nominee.
And, as I have said many, many times before - they are all too damned old!
Take that, Dead Horse! And that! And that! And that!
The Democrats have lots of real choices in this election cycle. Let's choose someone who will stand out as a contrast to Trump - intellectually and physically - someone with the potential to survive eight full years before they reach their expiration date! It's time to move forward - into the future - and it's our youth who will take us (or at least themselves) there!
Septuagenarian
While most of us exhibit a certain amount of discomfort in discussing our own mortality. the bottom-line truth is this: we all have an expiration date. At some point our bodies will quit functioning, forever, and our surviving relatives or friends will be tasked with the unpleasant chore of disposing of our remains and dividing up our accumulations. And other peoples' lives will presumably go on without us.
We all expire - and regardless of what our expiration date turns out to be, one certainty is this: each day that we survive, we also move one day closer to reaching that expiration date. At some point it is all over, and the older we get, the closer that day is.
The average life span in the United States in 2016 was 78.69 years. Remember that. That same year the average life span in the United Kingdom was 80.96 years - over two years longer than their American cousins, Canada was 82.30 years, and the Japanese boasted a life span of 83.98 years - more that five years longer than the average life of a resident of the United States. (Apparently universal access to health care does make a difference!)
But this posting isn't about the advantages of allowing people to access health care. This is a commentary on age - and particularly the role that age plays in public service and politics.
Donald Trump is the oldest person to ever be elected President. At seventy-two (now) he is well into his elderly years. He enjoys eating fast food, is physically out-of-shape, and has been officially diagnosed as "obese." With Trump's proclivity for intemperate living, the Grim Reaper may claim him before Mueller does - and while that reality might not upset everyone, the people who elected Trump to serve a four-year term may feel savagely cheated if they wake up one morning and find a wimpy Mike Pence and Mother moving their stuff into the White House.
The Democrats could easily take advantage of Trump's age and physical shortcomings by nominating someone far younger and more dynamic to run against him in 2020 - and they have many good candidates and potential candidates who fit the bill, people like Kamala Harris, Julian Casttro, Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, Beto O'Rourke, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Pete Buttigieg.
But the Democratic Party also has several old war horses who should be out enjoying life in the pasture, but instead feel that they are somehow owed one more Run for the Roses.
Joe Biden (currently 76) is reportedly very close to announcing his candidacy. Biden, who has been running for President for over thirty years, somehow feels that 2020 might be when all of the magic will come together and place him in the Oval Office. Bernie Sanders (77) is also gearing up for another run and has reportedly already recorded his announcement. Billionaire Mike Bloomberg (77), a fierce anti-gun advocate, has been dancing around the edges of an announcement for months now, and Hillary Clinton (71) seems to be trying to get some traction as a potential nominee.
And, as I have said many, many times before - they are all too damned old!
Take that, Dead Horse! And that! And that! And that!
The Democrats have lots of real choices in this election cycle. Let's choose someone who will stand out as a contrast to Trump - intellectually and physically - someone with the potential to survive eight full years before they reach their expiration date! It's time to move forward - into the future - and it's our youth who will take us (or at least themselves) there!
1 comment:
We should pass the torch to a younger generation; not make them pry it from our cold dead hands.
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