As decades go on, one thing is evident in our leaders’ patterns: their age. In the following decades, our presidents, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, both surpassed age 70 when they were elected. And yeah, that is pretty old, as both of these presidents are well above retirement age.
The characteristics of 70-year-olds include a decline in bone density, loss of muscle mass, mobility issues, cognitive brain decline, and many other serious health and mental problems. This not only causes harm to the elder, as they deal with stress, straining their struggles, but also the future of America.
Take, for example, Joe Biden. Overall, he served America in an honorable way, through leadership and commitment, and worked to help stabilize the economy after COVID-19, and we should honor him. However, concerns about his health and age became a major topic during his presidency as he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and non-valvular atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). As presidents grow older, physical and mental strain can make the demanding responsibilities of the duties of the president in office even more difficult to manage. Due to the strain on his health, he ultimately dropped out of running for his 2nd-term
This raises an important question for American voters: Should age play a larger role when deciding who is fit to lead the country? Experience and wisdom certainly come with age, but so can health complications and limitations. America’s future depends on leaders who are not only knowledgeable and experienced but also physically and mentally capable of handling one of the most stressful jobs in the world.
Because of this, America should consider creating a law that places age restrictions on presidential candidates. As there is already a minimum age requirement of 35 years old to become president, there should also be a maximum age limit to ensure our leaders are capable of serving effectively. The presidency requires quick decision-making, long hours, constant travel, and the ability to respond to emergencies/crises at any moment.
An age restriction would not disrespect older Americans or ignore their experience, as we value them, but instead help protect the country by ensuring presidents are healthy enough to lead for four long years. It could also encourage younger generations to become more involved in politics and leadership, as most people in American politics are elderly, bringing fresh ideas and modern perspectives to the government while still valuing the wisdom of older generations.
