US Politics in the past few years has been turbulent to say the least. For many people, it seems like politics have never been so strenuous. New bills are constantly being passed, benefitting some, and hurting others. As these changes occur, they raise an important question; who are the people making these decisions? Who are the people representing the 300 million people living in the United States? There are many big names in politics but for the sake of time and space we will focus on two. Mitch McConnell, age 81, and the minority leader of the United States Senate, best known for his aggressive stance against abortion, as well as the multiple occasions where he has frozen mid-sentence during press-conferences. Another prominent name is democrat Joe Biden, current president of the United States, and the oldest president of the nation at the age of 80. Mr. Biden is known for being the first president to have a female vice-president, as well as the many instances where he has fallen over. These two men carry great influence in the country and are responsible for the lives of many. However, at what point has a politician's age become a hindrance to them? At what point has their age become a hindrance to the country? Are these politicians truly able to reflect the opinions of the people they represent? I believe an age limit should be placed on all politicians.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., looks to President Joe Biden after Biden arrived at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron, Ky., Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The first thing we must understand is how aging affects the brain and the way we think. As humans grow older their brains change in many different ways. The National Library of Medicine states that as humans age, their brain shrinks, specifically in the frontal cortex. The frontal cortex has numerous responsibilities, including the ability to perform motor tasks, impulse control, a person's social interactions, and more. Knowing this, it begs the question, how do the changes in a person's brain affect the capabilities of elderly politicians? Can they be trusted to make the most important decisions affecting the country? I, and many others believe that elderly politicians should not be allowed to serve at an age where their brain has changed so drastically. They are unable to control the words they say, and do not make decisions the way they were once able to, making them unfit for office.

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Another vital question must be asked when debating the impact of elderly politicians. How do their opinions change as they age, if at all? Are older politicians truly able to reflect the values of modern society, or are they stuck in the past? This question has two answers, and is completely dependent on the politician being discussed. Many older politicians have no need to change their “outdated” views, because people continue to believe them today. In this way, the views are not truly outdated. As new generations grow up, they often take on the opinions of their parents, or the adults surrounding them, effectively passing political views through generations. Therefore, no political opinions are ever truly “outdated” because they are passed down, and always present. These politicians have no need to modernize their views, because there will always be an audience to support them.
The United States is not the first country to question the age of politicians and its effect on the country. Other countries have taken steps to address the question of age limits on politicians. One example is Uganda. In the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, chapter 102 “Qualifications of the President '' states the president of Uganda may not be younger than 35 years old, and not older than 75. This rule continued until 2018 when president Yoweri Museveni signed a bill that allowed the then 73 year old to continue to rule.
In the United States it has been reported that three in four Americans believe there should be an age limit placed on politicians. Similarly, politicians themselves believe there should be an age limit. Former US president Jimmy Carter was 52 years old when he was sworn into office. Carter believes he would not be able to effectively run the country at age 80 saying “[I] don't believe I could undertake the duties I experienced when president.”
At the end of the day, President Carter is correct. The job of the President of the United States is extremely strenuous. It involves long hours, lots of travel, and most importantly, making decisions that will affect millions of peoples lives, for better or for worse. It is not a job that should be taken lightly, and not one that can be done easily. The president must be able to keep up with the physical demands of the job, as well as the mental demands. I may sound insensitive saying this but scientifically, being able to keep up becomes more and more difficult as a person ages. It is of my belief, as well as the majority of Americans, that this post, as well as all other political positions should have an age limit placed on them. The age limit has many benefits, including ensuring that everybody representing civilians of the country are fit to perform the job to the best of their ability.
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