How old is too old to be president? The constitution clearly states that the president must be a natural-born U.S. citizen who is at least 35 years old. There is however no maximum age given. Many debate if the position should have an age cap or even required mental and physical testing.
74% of the United States presidents have been under 60 at the time of their inauguration.Our current president, Joe Biden, is 81. America’s last president, Donald Trump, was 74 while in office. To put this in perspective, U.S. Presidents have historically been in their 50’s. Famous presidents such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were 57 and 52 respectively. Having presidents these ages is a new trend. This raises the question: are presidents in their 80’s or even upper 70’s mentally and physically fit to be president?
Studies show “Around 10 percent of people over 70 years of age have some form of dementia. The risk increases with each passing year.” This concerns many because it is vital that someone with so much responsibility be very sharp. An additional concern is that: as people age they are more susceptible to diseases, and are also more likely to have sudden health changes.
On the other side, people argue that each case is different because all 80 year olds have different cognitive abilities. They also note the age minimum is there to ensure a level of experience and wisdom that older presidents have. Plus when the Constitution was drafted, a 60 year old was expected to live another 15 years. In 2020, men that age are expected to live another 22 years.
Personally, I think there should be an age limit for the president. If they are allowed to have an age minimum to ensure the president has certain qualities, they should also have an age limit for those same reasons. I also think younger presidents think more about the future of their decisions because they will affect them for more years.
https://potus.com/presidential-facts/age-at-inauguration/
Do you think there should be an age limit for the president?
Do you think mental and physical testing should be required?
What would be a good age limit and why?
Replies
I agree, that could be a good limit but then it would also have to depend on their specific mental and physical state becuase some 80 yearolds aren't fit to be president.
There should be a maximum age set on who can become president. To me, it doesn't make sense to have someone so old as our president, because younger generations are the people who will be running the world soon, if that makes sense. Why appeal to older people with an older president when you should be appealing to younger generations with a younger president.
I agree, the president should represent our country well and it is important to represent the young generations who are the present and future of the US.
I do think that there should be an age limit for the president. I don't know exactly what age I would say it should be, but there should be a limit. I think mental and physical testing should be required. If you aren't physically or mentally fit to run the country you shouldn't.
I agree at the very least the person running our country should be physically and mentally fit to. A lot of thought would have to go into a decision of an offical age limit.
I think that there should be an age limit to run for president. The office of president is a symbol to americans of our country. This position is one, if not the most well known person in the united states all year round. If this person is not able to function without the help of many others, it looks bad for our country.
I agree, the president we do not want someone who does not represent our country well to lead. Having an old president could make us seem week or like the younger population is not relaible.
I think that if you could pass certain test you don't really need to worry about a age limit for the presidents of America. I do think that we should have an age limit just so we don't lose a president to age problems in a bad situation. I think the age limit should be 80 years old.
It is true that testing would eliminate worry over age. There could be young people who are less sharp than a 70 year old. It is important we don't loose a president to age.
I think there should be some age limit for being president. Mental and physical testing should be required. If you're too old, being a president would be hard, you wouldn't have the mental or physical capacity for that. I think that 35-65 is a decent age limit. It just depends on the person.
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