Marx and Engels said "The ideas of the ruling class are, in any age, the ruling ideas" and that holds. I want term limits, an end to gerrymandering, and strict campaign finance rules and limits.
“While my elders were talking to me about the perfection of America, I did not know then of the lack of opportunity, the lack of education, the lack of many of the essential needs of civilization which existed among millions of our people who lived not alone in the slums of the great cities and in the forgotten corners of rural America but even under the very noses of those who had the advantages and the power of Government of those days.
I say from my heart that no man of my generation has any business to address youth unless he comes to that task not in a spirit of exultation, but in a spirit of humility. I cannot expect you of a newer generation to believe me, of an older generation, if I do not frankly acknowledge that had the generation that brought you into the world been wiser and more provident and more unselfish, you would have been saved from needless difficult problems and needless pain and suffering. We may not have failed you in good intentions but we have certainly not been adequate in results. Your task, therefore, is not only to maintain the best in your heritage, but to labor to lift from the shoulders of the American people some of the burdens that the mistakes of a past generation have placed there.”
FDR was FIFTY THREE years old when he said these words. FIFTY THREE.
Senator Feinstein had just celebrated her 2nd b-day in 1935 -- but I'm not sure if quoting FDR (the US president who made the 22nd Amendment necessary) is the ideal messenger, even though this message definitely resonates.
"The reality is, that at its heart, the true problem with gerontocracy is that the people in power remember an America that simply no longer exists."
This is the core issue, and it's often more pronounced at the local/state level. I live in the edge case/hellscape that is Wisconsin, but even in my cobalt blue little suburb the mayor/board are extremely out of touch with reality.
For me, the town council where I’m from didn’t really think things through. For example during the pandemic they were considering buying up this new ventilation system to reopen schools until a preschool teacher asked about what happened when one kid gave another a wet willy. Needless to say, they had not accounted for children acting out.
As a first step they should not be allowed to block committee replacements. That way MAYBE we could get Feinstein out of there. This is just shameful and sad. I’m all for age limits. I’m old and I don’t want to be represented by these folks either
So if our current theory is that Mitch McConnell is in fact a Terminator whose software hasn’t been updated in some time, is it plausible that Elon Musk is a Terminator whose programming has bugged out beyond repair?
I've got to admit that this week's column was an "ouch" for me. I'm a 72-year old white cisgen male, running my own mediation and coaching biz. I like to think that, despite my advantage age, I'm capable of enjoying and keeping up with the times and emerging trends. I, for one, don't long for the "good old days" since, for me, they mostly weren't that good. I'm happy where I'm at in my life right now and expect to continue evolving on mulitiple levels (I've just begun using psychedelics again after a nearly 50 year respite), until I'm finally planted in my compost pile where I can continue my gardening.
I think it's a little disingenuous to take this personally. It's a newsletter about Mitch McConnell and leaders who are clearly not doing America a service...a newsletter, where I specifically say, I am not even discussing mental fitness so I can avoid ageism and ableism. It's not about you.
Ok, fair enough. I was just commenting on how it landed with me. Probably some shadow work in there about the fear and sadness I feel about being in this later stage of life and coming to terms with what’s looming on the horizon for me. However, I don’t see how my comment was disingenuous. If you’d care to elaborate, I would appreciate it.
For me, Lyz indicated that the problem with gerontocracy wasn’t advanced age, but rather people in power getting caught up in nostalgia for an America that isn’t there anymore, and acting based on that view. That flaw isn’t restricted to those of advanced age either. There are plenty of young and middle aged people who long for the “good old days”, even though those times weren’t good for everyone. From what I’ve read, you definitely don’t have that problem.
I think helping people find direction and peace and focus is amazing work for someone of your age to be doing. I don’t think that Lyz is saying someone Mitch’s age (except Mitch himself) has nothing worthy to offer.
I shall warrant, granddaughters exist to remind geriatrics that the America they remember no longer exists. Mayhap I'm just fortunate, but that's what I aver.
Nice article again. Don’t ever give up on Dingus of the Week, these idiots are too important to let hide in the dark. One factual error: Mandatory retirement age for airline pilots is 65 (I am one) and has been for 10 or 12 years. There is talk of raising it to 67 but no action yet. I am one of these old white men (70 this year) and my constant mantra when talking politics with anyone is STOP voting for old white men and incumbents. I don’t care how good your elected person is, if they are an incumbent they are part of the problem. Everyone says they want term limits but they keep reelecting the same idiots.
you made so many good points today, lyz! thank you again for being so insightful and, at the same time, hilariously funny. as for me, i am 74 and would i want myself to be running the country? heck, no. i forget stuff all the time, run out of energy by noon and am in my jammies by 7:30. which isn't all bad, actually.
I prefer age limits to term limits. Term limits could kick someone great out at 45. Age limits could also kick someone great out but at least your point about people from different generations not understanding what it's like for most people would hold. Term limits also result in more power for lobbyists and bureaucrats who don't have those limits and become the institutional powers.
It's random since I don't know how much these audiences overlap, but Craig Calcaterra's Cup of Coffee substack has a great explanation today of the failure of term limits in Ohio, which he is very familiar with for many reasons that are explained in the piece.
Marx and Engels said "The ideas of the ruling class are, in any age, the ruling ideas" and that holds. I want term limits, an end to gerrymandering, and strict campaign finance rules and limits.
I want that too!
YES PLEASE to ending gerrymandering.
We need that so badly
Here is a selection from a speech FDR delivered in 1935 to the Young Democratic Clubs of America:
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/radio-address-the-young-democratic-clubs-america-0
“While my elders were talking to me about the perfection of America, I did not know then of the lack of opportunity, the lack of education, the lack of many of the essential needs of civilization which existed among millions of our people who lived not alone in the slums of the great cities and in the forgotten corners of rural America but even under the very noses of those who had the advantages and the power of Government of those days.
I say from my heart that no man of my generation has any business to address youth unless he comes to that task not in a spirit of exultation, but in a spirit of humility. I cannot expect you of a newer generation to believe me, of an older generation, if I do not frankly acknowledge that had the generation that brought you into the world been wiser and more provident and more unselfish, you would have been saved from needless difficult problems and needless pain and suffering. We may not have failed you in good intentions but we have certainly not been adequate in results. Your task, therefore, is not only to maintain the best in your heritage, but to labor to lift from the shoulders of the American people some of the burdens that the mistakes of a past generation have placed there.”
FDR was FIFTY THREE years old when he said these words. FIFTY THREE.
When FDR gave that speech, his supporter, and fellow Democrat, Strom Thurmund was still 20 years from first being elected to the Senate!
Senator Feinstein had just celebrated her 2nd b-day in 1935 -- but I'm not sure if quoting FDR (the US president who made the 22nd Amendment necessary) is the ideal messenger, even though this message definitely resonates.
You make Fridays better Lyz and for that we thank you.
AMEN. Mondays too.
You “might” be right about the Christmas decoration...who can remember at my advanced age!🤣❤️🥰
"The reality is, that at its heart, the true problem with gerontocracy is that the people in power remember an America that simply no longer exists."
This is the core issue, and it's often more pronounced at the local/state level. I live in the edge case/hellscape that is Wisconsin, but even in my cobalt blue little suburb the mayor/board are extremely out of touch with reality.
Even worse, people in power often remember an America that, as Lyz said, simply *never* existed.
For me, the town council where I’m from didn’t really think things through. For example during the pandemic they were considering buying up this new ventilation system to reopen schools until a preschool teacher asked about what happened when one kid gave another a wet willy. Needless to say, they had not accounted for children acting out.
How about the aides, handlers and family that are allowing MM to continue on in this truly pathetic state. He froze for 30 seconds while
asked IF HE WOULD RUN FOR REELECTION! And he said YES! We are through the looking glass here folks.
Honestly, I get the feeling it’s gone into sunk cost fallacy at this point, and the outdated software isn’t helping
I heard that whenever Mitch McConnell freezes, it means that another horcrux has been destroyed.
I wish I could lay claim to that gem, but...
Well he still has a nose, so we’ve probably got 1-3 left at this point.
As a first step they should not be allowed to block committee replacements. That way MAYBE we could get Feinstein out of there. This is just shameful and sad. I’m all for age limits. I’m old and I don’t want to be represented by these folks either
So if our current theory is that Mitch McConnell is in fact a Terminator whose software hasn’t been updated in some time, is it plausible that Elon Musk is a Terminator whose programming has bugged out beyond repair?
What?! No monkey paw?!
I thought we agreed it was a dead horse, but I can bring it back if you want
I've got to admit that this week's column was an "ouch" for me. I'm a 72-year old white cisgen male, running my own mediation and coaching biz. I like to think that, despite my advantage age, I'm capable of enjoying and keeping up with the times and emerging trends. I, for one, don't long for the "good old days" since, for me, they mostly weren't that good. I'm happy where I'm at in my life right now and expect to continue evolving on mulitiple levels (I've just begun using psychedelics again after a nearly 50 year respite), until I'm finally planted in my compost pile where I can continue my gardening.
I think it's a little disingenuous to take this personally. It's a newsletter about Mitch McConnell and leaders who are clearly not doing America a service...a newsletter, where I specifically say, I am not even discussing mental fitness so I can avoid ageism and ableism. It's not about you.
Ok, fair enough. I was just commenting on how it landed with me. Probably some shadow work in there about the fear and sadness I feel about being in this later stage of life and coming to terms with what’s looming on the horizon for me. However, I don’t see how my comment was disingenuous. If you’d care to elaborate, I would appreciate it.
For me, Lyz indicated that the problem with gerontocracy wasn’t advanced age, but rather people in power getting caught up in nostalgia for an America that isn’t there anymore, and acting based on that view. That flaw isn’t restricted to those of advanced age either. There are plenty of young and middle aged people who long for the “good old days”, even though those times weren’t good for everyone. From what I’ve read, you definitely don’t have that problem.
I think helping people find direction and peace and focus is amazing work for someone of your age to be doing. I don’t think that Lyz is saying someone Mitch’s age (except Mitch himself) has nothing worthy to offer.
I shall warrant, granddaughters exist to remind geriatrics that the America they remember no longer exists. Mayhap I'm just fortunate, but that's what I aver.
My daughters have not always made as much headway with the grandfather as they would like.
Nice article again. Don’t ever give up on Dingus of the Week, these idiots are too important to let hide in the dark. One factual error: Mandatory retirement age for airline pilots is 65 (I am one) and has been for 10 or 12 years. There is talk of raising it to 67 but no action yet. I am one of these old white men (70 this year) and my constant mantra when talking politics with anyone is STOP voting for old white men and incumbents. I don’t care how good your elected person is, if they are an incumbent they are part of the problem. Everyone says they want term limits but they keep reelecting the same idiots.
Omg Lyz, I was laughing out loud at work while reading and my co-worker wondered why with an side glance... love your stuff! 🥰
Lyz: Indeed providing $ for employees who are trans or who have trans children relocation money
Me:: trots over to Indeed and posts my CV.
This is amazing.
you made so many good points today, lyz! thank you again for being so insightful and, at the same time, hilariously funny. as for me, i am 74 and would i want myself to be running the country? heck, no. i forget stuff all the time, run out of energy by noon and am in my jammies by 7:30. which isn't all bad, actually.
I prefer age limits to term limits. Term limits could kick someone great out at 45. Age limits could also kick someone great out but at least your point about people from different generations not understanding what it's like for most people would hold. Term limits also result in more power for lobbyists and bureaucrats who don't have those limits and become the institutional powers.
It's random since I don't know how much these audiences overlap, but Craig Calcaterra's Cup of Coffee substack has a great explanation today of the failure of term limits in Ohio, which he is very familiar with for many reasons that are explained in the piece.
Not going to cut and paste his work out of respect for another paid Substack.
Thom Hartmann, in his Hartmann Report substack this morning, makes the point about term limits encouraging lobbyists, and goes into great detail.