Image Credit: CFJC Today

By James Peters

Two & Out

PETERS: Ageism alive and well in the U.S. presidential race

Mar 8, 2024 | 12:30 PM

I’M NOT SURE WHAT President Joe Biden ingested before this week’s State of the Union address — and perhaps I don’t want to know.

Sleepy Joe has been one of the more effective barbs thrown the president’s way throughout his term, but he was anything but sleepy Thursday night, despite starting the speech well past bedtime on the east coast.

Biden was as spirited as ever, and didn’t seem to be bothered in the least by MAGA senators trying to shout him down for a little precious face time.

It’s an election year and many Americans will be less than inspired by the two choices.

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On one hand, the Republicans are putting up Donald Trump, the 45th president who only has the support of a fraction of his own party.

Trump has spent the four years since he lost the 2020 election on a comprehensive tour of U.S. courtrooms.

On the other side, it’s the incumbent Biden.

The worst criticism seemingly anyone can throw at Biden is that he’s old.

And it’s true. The 81-year-old Democrat first ran for senate before my parents even met.

But Biden can’t help his age, just like he can’t help his gender, race or where he was born.

Few of his critics take aim at his ideas or record. Instead, if they’re not fixated on his son’s legal issues, they’re making fun of the fact that he’s a little stiffer and slower than he used to be.

It’s another example of ageism being the only acceptable form of discrimination in 2024.

We are far too quick to discount and demean seniors and elders for no other reason than their age.

Treating older people with dignity is something nearly every other society does better than mainstream North America.

You’ll hear a lot about age during this election cycle, when it will be the 81-year-old Biden against the 78-year-old Trump.

Put that aside and judge them on their records, their platforms and their personal character rather than the numbers on their birth certificates.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.