On average, Americans are living longer. Should there be an age limit to allow one to run for public office at a high level?

For example - is 80 too old to run for president?

Advancements in technology and medicine allow the average person to live a longer life, and assuming one can continue to live with mental competency and function in the realm of politics, should there be restrictions?

Ageism sucks.

Yes I agree with an upper age limit. We have dinosaurs determining the future of internet policy when an average 13 year old is more knowledgeable about how the internet works. There is a lower age restriction and I see no problem with amending in an upper age restriction. I believe 60 should suffice, this would also solve the problem of life long politicians. 2 birds with one stone.

i'd rather restrict it by career

you have to have an educational background specific to your duties and not be a fringe lunatic

Congressmen aren't very knowledgeable about the issues in general. That's why they have staffers and lobbyists write the legislation. The age of the legislator isn't really an issue.

I am bothered by your first sentence. I agree that this is the way things are currently but I believe age limits could help change things.

No, I believe I would be a great president. However law tells me I must age and get a little saggier first.

We have a lot of relatively young congressmen and senators...it doesn't really help anything. If you've ever watched CSPAN, you'd see that most congressional hearings are a joke. At the end of the day, the best thing you can do is elect officials who have integrity. A good example of this is John McCain. He may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I do believe that he's of the guys who has our interests at heart. Elizabeth Warren is another one.

Could you explain to me why getting the older people out of Congress would be good other than getting rid of incumbents?

This post was edited by thundercock on Dec 1 2014 10:49pm

lobbyists write the laws period

Nah, each congressman has a group of staffers who have law degrees in order help craft legislation. The good staffers end up having really solid careers as lobbyists, judges, etc.