Every one of us will face aging, and if lucky, we will have many years past our prime. We are unique individuals and age differently. Some of us may have physical challenges, while others may decline more quickly with mental capacities. Some may be blessed with no significant challenges and a long life.
We have an aging government primarily because so many members of Congress made D.C. a lifelong career rather than a short-term calling.
- Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) – 89
- Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) – 89
- Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) – 81
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) – 81
- Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) – 79
- Sen. James “Jim” Risch (R-ID) – 79
- Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA-31) – 86
- Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-9) – 86
- Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY-5) – 85
- Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) – 84
- Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD-5) – 83
Two members have drawn attention to the challenge of staying involved yet serving their constituents. Sen. Feinstein has not been in session since February. Her office says the Senator is recovering from Shingles. Democrat lawmakers are trying to replace her temporarily so that they can maximize the effectiveness of her vote. That temporary fix is meeting opposition from Republicans.
Conversely, Mitch McConnell has recently returned to work in the Senate. McConnell suffers from Muscular Dystrophy, but that is not what kept him away from his duties. He had fallen and sustained a concussion, and his recovery prevented him from participating. These maladies could happen at any age, but the fact that both Senators are octogenarians focused more on their recovery and absence. Of this group, only Feinstein has announced her retirement.
Age has become a significant concern with Joe Biden and his decision to seek re-election or not. We have been watching Biden decline, which is concerning for most of us, while others blindly deny any drop off in the President’s acuity. These deniers are more hopeful than realists. Joe Biden was in Ireland last week, and much of the video broadcast was alarming. The President’s walk shows stiffness and trepidation, while he had difficulty understanding simple questions posed to him. Most of the video clips showed the President accompanied by his son, Hunter, who was helping him navigate and was heard clarifying questions for his Father. This image was not a good look for the strength of our Leader. Upon returning to the States, his schedule indicated he was not adjusting quickly to the time change. A lid was in place early, and his agenda was weak for a few days suggesting the President was not at work.
Joe Biden recently turned 80 and will be 82 at the time of his second inaugural. With his current rate of decline and his potential issues with Hunter, the Democrats are ready to look to alternatives. Robert Kennedy Jr. jumped into the race on Wednesday and is already polling at 14%. Biden has yet to commit to running in 2024, but the only fact widely accepted is Biden is a weak candidate. Heck, by 2024, Biden might not remember being President, let alone campaigning for re-election.
How can the Democrats not see what we do when we watch Biden? They do. Biden is part of the plan. They have a feckless aging man in the Oval with a more feckless woman somewhere. Does anyone know where Kamala is from day to day, or really care? They are puppets, a smokescreen for the people running this country. John Kerry, Samantha Powers, Susan Rice? Take your pick. It could be any or all of them, but until we find a way to legitimately take back the White House, this cabal will continue its mission to destroy this country without ever firing a shot.
