Ageism and the Quest for Civility in Government
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By Richard F. Keevey
April 22, 2024
Politics in the United States can be a difficult and dirty business. Most often, policy differences are the source of the disagreements among politicians, and between the public and politicians. However, on occasion, personal characteristics, especially race and gender, are among the factors discussed in assessing the suitability of various policies, candidates and political leaders. Thanks in significant part to today’s media (including both print and electronic), which initially captures, distributes and perpetuates these spewings of hatred, we can add another category to the many prejudices and bigotry that are increasingly evident in our country’s political inclinations today: ageism.
For example, these days we frequently hear about how President Biden misspoke, stumbled or forgot something or someone’s name, and all because “…he is too old.” Similarly, we hear claims that former president Trump is “too old” because he forgot his wife’s name or was confused about which countries are in Europe; or that Senator Tuberville is “too old” when he chooses to hold critical military appointments hostage because of an unrelated policy stance. Aren’t there many other explanations to explain these occurrences, other than the age of the individual(s)?
One can always wonder whether Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein, Simone de Beauvoir, Charles Darwin and Ben Franklin (to name only a few) were ever considered too old when they went on to accomplish the many great things they accomplished throughout their lives. Indeed, in today’s environment, some elder statesmen have shepherded though significant legislation and other initiatives helpful to the nation.
Are these contributions any less significant because of the age of these individuals when they were made? Still, it is worth noting that the gifts of governance and wisdom, compassion and moral behavior and good judgement and leadership are not given to everyone, and certainly not to people who espouse violence, bigotry, lying, deception and mockery of others based on personal characteristics, such as race, gender and (increasingly) age.
Here, one of the classics in world literature may provide useful insights in putting the current surge in age-related prejudice and bigotry into proper context. For example, Dante’s Divine Comedy places certain individuals in the eighth and worse circle of Inferno (Hell,) which is reserved for those who commit fraud and malice toward others, and where they are afflicted by various diseases and plagues—they are also tormented by demons, who tear them apart with claws and hooks. Dante encounters these liars and malcontents from both church and state in this place of condemnation.
Now the Divine Comedy is not a theological treatise, although it is often used as such. Rather, it is a political and cultural work that captures the imagination. More specifically, it offers many metaphors for living righteously, respecting the rights and individuality of others and encouraging us that one day the political genre (including politicians, other political leaders and their legion of supporters) will learn to listen, disagree and govern with respect, especially those who differ in both policy and various physical characteristics. Dante is basically suggesting that all of us need to treat everyone (regardless of age, sexual orientation, religion or country of origin, etc.) equally and with respect, abandoning all name calling, misrepresentations and false judgments. For those who fail to heed Dante’s advice, the eighth circle of Hell may await you.
Author: Rich is the former Budget Director for the state of New Jersey, where he was appointed by two governors, one from each political party. He was also appointed by the President as the Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer at HUD (with Senate confirmation) and the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Finance. He is presently a Senior Policy Fellow at Rutgers University.
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Ageism and the Quest for Civility in Government
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By Richard F. Keevey
April 22, 2024
Politics in the United States can be a difficult and dirty business. Most often, policy differences are the source of the disagreements among politicians, and between the public and politicians. However, on occasion, personal characteristics, especially race and gender, are among the factors discussed in assessing the suitability of various policies, candidates and political leaders. Thanks in significant part to today’s media (including both print and electronic), which initially captures, distributes and perpetuates these spewings of hatred, we can add another category to the many prejudices and bigotry that are increasingly evident in our country’s political inclinations today: ageism.
For example, these days we frequently hear about how President Biden misspoke, stumbled or forgot something or someone’s name, and all because “…he is too old.” Similarly, we hear claims that former president Trump is “too old” because he forgot his wife’s name or was confused about which countries are in Europe; or that Senator Tuberville is “too old” when he chooses to hold critical military appointments hostage because of an unrelated policy stance. Aren’t there many other explanations to explain these occurrences, other than the age of the individual(s)?
One can always wonder whether Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein, Simone de Beauvoir, Charles Darwin and Ben Franklin (to name only a few) were ever considered too old when they went on to accomplish the many great things they accomplished throughout their lives. Indeed, in today’s environment, some elder statesmen have shepherded though significant legislation and other initiatives helpful to the nation.
Are these contributions any less significant because of the age of these individuals when they were made? Still, it is worth noting that the gifts of governance and wisdom, compassion and moral behavior and good judgement and leadership are not given to everyone, and certainly not to people who espouse violence, bigotry, lying, deception and mockery of others based on personal characteristics, such as race, gender and (increasingly) age.
Here, one of the classics in world literature may provide useful insights in putting the current surge in age-related prejudice and bigotry into proper context. For example, Dante’s Divine Comedy places certain individuals in the eighth and worse circle of Inferno (Hell,) which is reserved for those who commit fraud and malice toward others, and where they are afflicted by various diseases and plagues—they are also tormented by demons, who tear them apart with claws and hooks. Dante encounters these liars and malcontents from both church and state in this place of condemnation.
Now the Divine Comedy is not a theological treatise, although it is often used as such. Rather, it is a political and cultural work that captures the imagination. More specifically, it offers many metaphors for living righteously, respecting the rights and individuality of others and encouraging us that one day the political genre (including politicians, other political leaders and their legion of supporters) will learn to listen, disagree and govern with respect, especially those who differ in both policy and various physical characteristics. Dante is basically suggesting that all of us need to treat everyone (regardless of age, sexual orientation, religion or country of origin, etc.) equally and with respect, abandoning all name calling, misrepresentations and false judgments. For those who fail to heed Dante’s advice, the eighth circle of Hell may await you.
Author: Rich is the former Budget Director for the state of New Jersey, where he was appointed by two governors, one from each political party. He was also appointed by the President as the Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer at HUD (with Senate confirmation) and the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Finance. He is presently a Senior Policy Fellow at Rutgers University.
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