Well, in the case of these U.S. presidential front runners, I’d say:

“Gone to old men, every one.
”When will they ever learn?
“Oh, when will they ever learn?” **

**[Paraphrase of lyrics to that great old ‘60s folk song, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”]

*. *. *

This is not a discussion of the respective political platforms or past performances of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Nor is it a generalization as to the declining abilities of individuals as they become “senior citizens” or “old-timers.” (I am, after all, of the Trump-Biden generation myself.) We each mature, and age, in our own way; and in the majority of cases, we adapt accordingly.

But we’re talking now about the President of the United States of America. The leader of what is still the most powerful nation in the world, on which so much of the rest of the free world relies for guidance and support. The person who must, no matter how miserable he or she may feel upon facing a new day, rise to the occasion and be able to give 100% to the most difficult, most demanding, most underpaid, and most — in my opinion — horrible job in the world.

And when you’re within spitting distance of the finish line of your eighth decade . . . and assuming you have any spit left . . . well, that’s pushing your luck a little outside the comfort zone. It’s time to kick back and relax a little . . . not to take on another four years (you hope) of mental and physical overload. You’ve worked hard all your life; you’ve accomplished amazing things; you’re financially secure. Relax . . . you’ve earned it. Become a revered elder statesman. Go play golf, do crossword puzzles, write your memoirs . . . whatever makes you happy.

Just don’t drag our country, kicking and screaming, across the finish line with you!

Because, believe it or not, this is not all about you. Not about you, Joe Biden. And not . . . although I know you’ll never accept it . . . about you either, Donald Trump. It is — now more than ever in history — about the future of democracy, and about the survival of the world itself. These are not easy, secure, idyllic times in which we live. The challenges to our leaders today are nearly incomprehensible. We need to know that the people we choose to lead us are up to the job.

We Americans need better choices.

That is not to say we should put our elder statesmen out to pasture. Look at the lives of Jimmy Carter, Henry Kissinger, George H.W. Bush. They had so much to contribute for so many years . . . until one day when they couldn’t. And what a blessing it is that they weren’t still in office, on one more power trip, when that moment came and they just “couldn’t” any longer.

Sadly, we all are born with an expiration date. We don’t know when it will be, and we can only hope for long, useful lives. We don’t know if, or when, we’ll be stricken by an illness or a disorder that will make it unsafe for us to bear the responsibility of leadership any longer. Would you take a trip around the world, leaving your infant son or daughter in the sole care of a wobbly great-grandparent? Not likely. Then, how can you entrust your entire country to that same great-grandparent?

I don’t think I can. And I’m not sure I could even vote this year if my choice were to be between two individuals — one just over, and the other rapidly approaching, age 80 — and already showing signs of slowing down, both mentally and physically.

*. *. *

I love my country. And I want her in safe hands. It’s time for Joe Biden and Donald Trump to step aside and take on the roles of presidential advisers to someone who at least stands a better chance of making it through the next four years.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
1/11/24