Misc. Mental Musings

Government Gerontocracy

S. G. Lacey

  

Geriatric Gathering:

All is quiet here at the rest home, as the grandfather clock in the corner of the living space dispenses 9 guttural chimes.  It’s still light out during summer here in the Mid-Atlantic, but it’s been a long day for everyone. 

 

The issues started bright and early, with a heated debate breaking out in the breakfast buffet line.  While one group battled over the validity of plant-based sausage, from both a taste and product standpoint, another passionate cohort dove deep into the recent supply chain failures associated with chicken eggs.  Next time, the chef knows to serve up breakfast burritos, allowing the various food elements to be safely hidden within the tortilla.

 

It’s important to get the old folks out for some exercise, to avoid muscular atrophy.  Safely, of course.  Today’s morning stroll around the local lake was a short one, on account of the heat.  The shortness of breath experienced by many elder participants didn’t stop them from spouting off their thoughts on the cause of this warm wave, ranging from climate change conspiracies to global emissions mitigation efforts. 

 

Another encumbrance was the coarse gravel path, which proved difficult for the array of thick foam shoes, rubber tipped canes, awkwardly shuffling walkers, and even a few electric scooters with small, slick wheels.  After the troupe passed, it looked like an incapacitated demolition derby car had been dragged down the trail.

 

There are frequently random accidents that happen, usually on account of the general clumsiness associated with most this facility’s occupants.  Today was no exception. 

 

During lunch, one of the more prominent participants spilled some tomato sauce on their bleached white shirt.  Perpetually preoccupied with their presentation, this character uttered a few guttural curses, then quickly headed up to their room for a wardrobe change. 

 

In a haste to return to the table for dessert, this individual was not able to safely navigate the 15 short steps to the 2nd floor.  Or even the first 3 risers for that matter.  The stumble resulted in a chipped tooth and a black eye, which make the aesthetic issues from a small stain on the breast pocket seem irrelevant.  The incident really riled up the rest of the ancient diners, who are generally dismissive of this vain gentleman.

 

Confidence is a challenge for many folks living at the rest home, as their mental and physical traits degrade from those of peak adult functionality.  But there are a few boisterous, arrogant, self-aggrandizing souls in the collective.  In recent years, a single character has dominated the spotlight at this entire facility. 

 

Indiscriminately yelling at the staff, often incoherently.  Perpetually obsessing over visual appearance, despite a complete lack of attractive qualities.  Conversing with others, even if they have no interest in engaging.  Making irrational demands, then getting frustrated when these items don’t manifest. 

 

Such actions are characteristic of a self-centered egomaniac.  Unfortunately, there’s one in every crowd.  In fact, the god complex is evident with many of the privileged peoples housed here. 

 

Content to sit inside during the hottest part of the day, many members of the large contingent amass in the spacious lounge area.  As happens every day, the main challenge was finding a show which everyone could agree on. 

 

Another perpetual point of contention are seating arrangements.  Some participants have such poor hearing that they crowd up close to the flatscreen television mounted on the wall, while far sighted folks with thick glasses must be situated at the back of the room, just to have any chance of accurately interpreting the displayed images. 

 

The savvy ones just occupy the comfortable chairs, located at a normal human viewing distance, and settle in for their afternoon nap.  A wise decision, since there’s no content of substance or value being pedaled by any of the national news media outlets during daytime broadcasts anyways.  

 

A few of the more with-it characters often eschew this TV distraction for a more productive pursuit.  Playing cards, a mentally stimulating endeavor which can keep the math and memory skills sharp.

 

Unfortunately, during this afternoon’s bridge game, things really fell apart.  After a successful run in the tournament, one of the participants completely lost it.  Not in a bout of anger, which is surprisingly common in this community, but instead by essentially blacking out. 

 

Stokes are unfortunately a frequent occurrence here, given the advanced age of the residents.  However, most of these seizures are of the micro variety, happening in the middle of the night, almost indetectable aside from the mandated electronic bodily monitoring, and typically not influencing physical function long term.  A few times since these halls were established, catastrophic corporeal shutdown has happened, with the predictable deadly outcome.  Not surprising, considering this aged cohort.

 

This scenario was different.  Mid hand, in North dealer position, with a 4 Spades bid in the balance, at a key point in the match, the player in question simply stopped functioning for over a minute.  No protocols were in place of such an occurrence, so the tournament was simply halted.  New clauses will undoubtably be written into the bylaws moving forward, considering the confused contention from other players around the table.

 

Credit needs to be given to those members who are still able to play cards.  Cognitive function is not strong for many in this complex. 

 

One of the funniest, and most frustrating, jobs here at the rest home is working in the technology support department.  This service desk is only open for 2 hours per day, with appointments required for any request aside from a true emergency.  Otherwise, the poor sap manning this station would be perpetually inundated with menial tasks.

 

Finding the correct cellphone power charging cord.  Making updates to someone’s disjointed social media profile.  Getting a tablet computer connected to the internet.  Executing a video call with estranged relatives who don’t want to be contacted.  Uploading and editing pictures which are way too revealing.      

 

Sometimes, it takes several minutes just to understand what the actual support need is.  Not surprisingly, there are frequently terminology disconnects.  That’s what happens when a 27-year-old and a 72-year-old have an in-person conversation about technology.  These challenges don’t just happen here at the local help desk, but across society as a whole, anywhere that the old and young accidently comingle.

 

At dinner, served promptly at 5 PM, the usually polarizing topics bubble to the surface.  These perennial societal equality discussions happen in numerous forums across the country, but there’s a decided to irony to this specific group conversing on the subject.

 

Financial inequity abounds here amongst this collection of retirees, as it does across all segments of Americans.  Amusingly, these stratifications dictate many aspects of life here in the home, from the rooms, to the amenities, to the influence, to the perks.  Dinner seating and service is no exception.

 

At the far end of the long table, located closest to the kitchen, and framed by the broad glass windows, sit the most privileged inhabitants.  Meanwhile, the near side, with low light, closely spaced chairs, and most importantly, difficult bathroom access, is where the underprivileged folks are relegated to take their meals. 

 

It’s not hard to guess which contingent is gloating about stock portfolios and real estate holdings, with the others fretting about their bank account balances and lack of family visits.  Wealth breads wealth, especially when insider information and beneficial legislation is factored in.

 

As the meal drags on, conversation inevitably deteriorates to unintelligible chaos, fatigue and irrationality conspiring to spiral any rational discussion out of control.  Some yell loudly, bold proclamations interspersed with vulgar outbursts of swear words.  Other launch into lengthy diatribes, droning on in a low, monotone cadence with oft-repeated thoughts.  A few remain passively seated; it’s unclear if they are even comprehending what is going on around them, or are awake for that matter.

 

After a final sweet treat, and generous doses of warm milk, the elders are helped to their chambers.  The fatigued and chastised staff is finally able to relax in peace, at least for a few hours, until the string of midnight bathroom summons begin.

 

At last, the sun sets, and the grandfather clock goes quiet for the night after its 10 PM announcement, programmed not to reawake until 6 AM.  If only the aged residents would stay calm and quiet until morning.

 

This daily scene in Washington, DC plays out, not at a fancy senior complex along the Potomac River, but rather within the U.S. Capital Building, where both branches of the U.S. Congress meet.  Most housed there is old, tired, and borderline senile. 

 

General Groundwork:

Gerontocracy = A form of oligarchical rule in which an entity is governed by leaders who are significantly older than most of the adult population.  [REF]

 

Throughout history, the older members of society have held a majority of the power.  This doesn’t always occur through formal leadership roles, but often hierarchal structures based on genealogy, starting with patriarchal males guiding small groups of homo sapiens who lived in caves and survived off the land.

 

This authority method was first acknowledged in Ancient Greece, where the city state of Sparta was ruled by a Gerousia, hence the word origin.  This format consisted of a council of elders, all over 60 years of age, who stayed in their privileged role for life.

 

The principle of senior leadership is not tied just to formal governance structures.  In fact, the roots of this approach date back much further than the Ancient Greeks.  Primeval tribal societies worldwide, including African Clans, American Indians, and Australian Aboriginals, all relied on traditional elder figures to pass down stories and provide supervision.  When growing up in the wilderness, simply being able to live a long time was a testament to knowledge of beneficial survival skills.   

 

Also, theocratic states of various religious leaning, from Islamic countries across the Middle East, to Christianity amongst the Latter-day Saints and Vatican collectives, all have their beliefs preached by aged and inspirational leadership figures.

 

In more recent country governance renditions, the Chinese Communist Party during the 1980 to 2000 era of the 8 Immortals, including Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, and the heads of Soviet Union Warsaw Pact countries prior failure of the U.S.S.R., most notably Leonid Brezhnev and Nikolai Tikhonov, both used aggressive forms of gerontocracy, with all key leaders in their 80’s.

 

In general, authoritarian countries are more prone to elder statesmen due to their lack of a free election processes, which results in dictators staying in power until they die or are ousted through political revolt.

These days however, it seems the concept of gerontocracy is moving into democratic voting structures as well.  The United States top governmental leadership over the past few presidential cycles has gotten increasingly older.  There are several reasons for this aging trend.

 

American politics are now somewhat incestuous, as older officials tend to promote those who they have collaborated, or more accurately colluded, with over time. 

 

Just since the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, individuals over 70 years of age have stepped into Attorneys General, Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and Treasury posts, plus both House and Senate Majority and Minority Leader gigs.  Also, Congressional representatives are living longer, running longer, and staying in power longer, mainly due to the perks provided by spending decades atop the highest elected office in the land.

 

One needs only to examine some relevant word entomology to understand how engrained some of these patriarchal tendencies are.  The word “senate” is derived from the Latin term “senex”, which literally translates to “old man”.  This terminology is a testament to the wisdom and knowledge which the Ancient Romans ascribed to their elders.

 

Ironically, the modern word “gerontocracy” stems from the Ancient Greek version of the exact same “old man” definition, “geron” in this original language.  While some strides have been made to get more women representation within the American governmental system, the “old” term is still trending in the wrong direction.

 

Getting Germane:

In this era of political correctness, everything has become polarized.  Especially the topic of retirement mandates, which is intimately tied to employment, the economy, and most importantly, governance control.

 

Actually, there are numerous professions which have age restrictions.  These occur at both the upper and lower bounds, primarily for safety and humanitarian reasons.  Think child labor law restrictions and upper limits for being drafted into the military.

 

In 1978, then again in 1986, Congress amended the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, originally passed in 1967, eliminating the provision of mandatory retirement for most Americans at age 65.  Ironically, this second adjustment was signed into law by President Reagan, who was 75 years old at the time, thus already violating the bill, if only in spirit.

 

The reasons for, and effects of, forced retirement have shifted over the years.  Throughout the 19th century, normal American citizens, like most individuals globally, simply worked until they died.  This approach makes end-of-life financial planning pretty straightforward.

 

The increased prevalence of corporate pensions in the private sector, led by the railroad industry, along with the initiation of Social Security in 1940, spawned a golden age for retirees.  And a complete change in the meaning of the word. 

 

The original French root, “retirer”, meant to withdraw from society.  Increasingly younger and financially buoyed old folks leaving the work force in the middle of the 20th century were doing exactly the opposite: taking vacations, eating out, and generally enjoying a life of leisure.   

 

This trend changed in the 1980s, directly correlating with the legislative changes to the ADEA.  Combined with the shift from defined benefit, like pensions and annuities, to defined contribution, like 401ks and IRAs, retirement plans, individual workers are now required to build up a sufficient nest egg to support their lifelong needs.  Which means toiling longer in many cases. 

 

In the few industries where they still exist, corporate pensions kick in after a fixed tenure, usually 20 years or more of service, helping to facilitate employees’ smooth transition out of the workforce.  The United States military complex, along with a few major unionized groups, like teachers, healthcare personnel, teamsters, and autoworkers, all have the size and leverage to maintain functional pension programs.  Many other professions are not as lucky. 

 

Amazingly, the percentage of Americans over 65 years of age who are still in the workforce is higher now than it was 40 years ago, especially amongst women.

 

Despite current Federal mandates, there are several occupations which still have defined age guardrails dictating retirement.  Often for good reasons. 

 

Federal law enforcement, park rangers, and firefighters (57).  Individuals in the aviation arena, from commercial pilots (65), to air traffic controllers (56).  Even judges (70) in some states, from Florida to Minnesota to New Jersey. 

 

Generally, all these professions are associated with actions which put the lives of others in the balance.  While not as overt, the same arguments could be made about the decisions top legislators in America make daily, which can have a drastic impact on their constituency.

 

There is one element of the United States governance structure which the Founding Fathers through was important enough to suggest an endless term.  The Supreme Court, where individuals are appointed as opposed to elected, and serve a lifetime post.  As a result, there have only been 116 Justices ever on this elite 9-person judicial panel, over the two and half centuries of this great nation. 

 

However, the length of tenure has change drastically in recent decades; while pre-1970 participants averaged around 15 years at this high post, modern judges are now logging nearly twice this duration before retirement, or more commonly, death. 

 

The drafters of the Constitution probably weren’t too worried about this outcome, as the average life expectancy for an American in 1775 was just 35 years old.  Now, many Supreme Court justices are exceeding this duration just sitting on the bench.  How times have changed.

 

Generational Gaps:

As with many situations where gerontocracy leadership has taken hold, demographics are a major factor.

The current animosity between age cohorts in the clearly un-United States is impossible to ignore, with the creation of memes like “OK Boomer” by “Privileged Millennials”. 

 

These generational divides are frequent in times of society change, but this era seems a little more polarized than past cultural transitions.  Just remember those fun, free love, hippies of the 1960’s are now uptight, rich, corporate executives.

 

It’s hard to blame the young voters in America today for feeling like they aren’t being accurately represented by politicians.  Per the most recent 2020 U.S. census, the median age of 51 for all citizens over 25 years old, the minimum required to be elected to the House of Representatives, was a full decade lower than the assemblage in Congress at that time.   

 

It’s well known that the Baby Boomer generation is the largest, most engaged, U.S. voting bloc.  A powerful contingent with clearly defined policy stances on topics like maintaining Social Security payments and Medicare benefits.  

 

Thus, is it any surprise that aged candidates are so successful at ballot box?  Are we surprised that reelection rates are at their highest levels in history, regardless of what incumbent lawmakers actually get done? 

 

As the demographic pig spurred by the birth surge after World War II works its way through the generational python, the make-up of Congress will inevitable get younger, as will the American public as a whole.  New electees in both elite legislative halls, and even more noticeably at the local level, are often substantially junior to stayed incumbents, and starting to achieve voting victories. 

 

The only questions are how long this political transition takes, and, more importantly, if the phase out happens through natural or forced means.

 

While the current clan of lawmaking elders are well past their prime, old folks occupying key posts within the American governmental complex is not new.  Granted, most these scenarios ended up poorly, even if the individuals in question don’t remember.

 

Most notably, Ronald Reagan, once he hit his 80’s, just after completing his presidential duties, became afflicted with Alzheimer’s, which rendered him unable to recognize close friends or make simple decisions, within the span of just a few short years.  At least he spent some time outside the governmental black hole earlier in his career, unlike many elderly modern politicians.  Unfortunately, those learned acting skills couldn’t make up for the failing faculties at the end for President Reagan.

 

Another delicate topic related to the budding governmental gerontocracy is ageism.  In these modern times of absolute equality for all, to even talk about an individual’s faculties degrading as they get old is blasphemy.  However, every person who has cared for an aging family member knows how much irreparable damage the harsh drumbeat of time inflicts. 

 

In that vein, how many members of the United States Senate have their driver’s license?  This query is surprisingly difficult to ascertain through online searching. 

 

For anyone who have taken a ride in the car with their grandparents at the helm, hopefully not many, considering the age and eyesight of these characters.  Plus, most of these privileged politicians are wealthy enough to be driven around by chauffeurs.  This is yet another microcosm highlighting the current societal inequity in America.

 

Granted, there’s a distinct difference between physical and mental acuity.  Unfortunately, many members of Congress, especially those on the older end of the spectrum, seem adversely afflicted in both regards.

 

Goofy Guff:

In the 118th U.S. Congressional elections, which occurred in November 2022, the youngest first-time electee was Maxwell Alejandro Frost, a Democrat from Florida, who was just a year beyond the mandatory minimum age of 25 when winning his post.  In contrast, another new Democrat, Peter Welch of Vermont, earned his inaugural Senate post at 75. 

 

There’s some definite symbolism associated with a 3X lifespan disparity between incoming associates.  There are not many professions where newly hired individuals have a 50-year age gap.  Except for the fast-food industry, especially in recent years, as supplementing income during retirement becomes increasingly necessary for many elderly Americans.

 

It’s difficult to grasp how old the current U.S. Senate cohort is.  Maybe a few simple comparisons can help paint a picture of this ancient assemblage. 

 

10 members of the Senate have already exceeded the 76.4-year life expectancy of the average American, and are still going to work on a daily basis.  8 Senators have been in their same role for more than 25 years; this is the age cut-off for the youngest individuals to be defined as Millennials. 

 

The oldest pair of Senators were both born in 1933, the same year that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated for his first term as president.  FDR’s unprecedented 11-year stint as POTUS, necessitated by the global tumult of World War II, is simply the average tenure for a Senator these days.   

 

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had polio as a child, walks with a limp to this day because of that adolescent ailment, and has fallen on several occasions recently.  The polio vaccine was developed in 1955, nearly 70 years ago, by the now infamous Dr. Jonas E. Salk.

 

In a similar vein, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein recently recovered from 2-month job absence due to a bout of shingles, an illness with an approved inoculation protocol for folks over the age of 50 back in 2005.  Unfortunately, this series of shots are not recommended for those over 80 years old.  Feinstein, who just turned 90, is suffering from memory loss, has repeatedly appeared confused on the legislative floor, and recently ceded power of attorney to her daughter, while still remaining an acting U.S. Senator.

 

Aged politicians are not a new thing in U.S. politics.  There have been some true outliers over the course of Congressional history. 

 

Octogenarian status seems lame relative to a few of legends of the Senate chamber.  Granted, physical bodily presence is a far cry from functional legislative activity. 

 

Notable is Robert Byrd, who died in 2010 at the ripe old age of 92, during his 9th Senate term, logging 51 years in the same West Virginia seat, and most relevantly, funneling an estimated $10 billion to his constituents, read cronies, in the corporate lobbyist ranks. 

 

Not to be outdone, South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond made it all the way to the century mark, 100 fully lived years, before retiring after 48 annual cycles in the Senate.  Thurmond’s voting actions and political knowledge were highly debatable as his time wound down; heavily supported by a fleet of staffers, he survived just 6 months after resigning his post.

 

What about looking at aging Hollywood personalities to see how the current trend of older politicians might play out.

 

Why did the latest Indiana Jones movie, or anything else with Harrison Ford, who recently turned 81, in it over the past decade, flop?  Was Mr. Schwarzenegger career ark, from an elite weightlifter (33), to a productive actor (57), to a menial politician (64), to a plant-based meat advocate (76), based on improving physical prowess?  Do we need to be sending our beloved Star Trek enterprise captains of yore back into the film studio, or literally into space, for that matter?  For reference, Stewart is 83 and Shatner is 92. 

 

Granted, the Golden Girls television show is an outlier.  Still, aside from Sophia, who was 85 on the last day of filming, the other 3 leading ladies, Dorothy, Rose, and Blanche, all called it quits on that sit-com project in their early 60’s.  Sure, the aggressive lifestyles of Hollywood’s elite may be a little more damaging than a professional Washington legislator. 

 

One would hope, though based on social media profiles, both cohorts are partying with comparable boldness.

 

The history of politicians not understanding technology is a long one. 

 

In this modern era of laptop computers, cell phones, online connectivity, and social media, innovation is moving at a rapid rate.  Allowing this modern generation of sage savants has taken their ineptitude to a whole new level.  It doesn’t help that their entire charade on Capital Hill is now broadcast in live for all around the world to see and hear. 

 

The same powerful internet which Senator Ted Stevens described as “a series of tubes”, a much maligned but not entirely inaccurate statement, way back in 2006, is now coming back to haunt these continually aging politicians. 

 

The most recent, and relevant, comedy of errors was during the 2018 Congressional hearings on content filtering and data privacy, where the CEOs of Facebook, Google, Twitter, and other prominent tech companies were dragged in front of elite legislators, who were resolved to ask tough questions, get to the root of the issue, and amend laws to protect the naïve commoners. 

 

After a week’s worth of testimony, it became quite clear who was naïve, and borderline negligent.  At least the interviewees were able to demonstrate their fanboy tendencies of tech elites, fail to grasp how free online platforms can be immensely profitable, blame online search for all manner of false discrimination practices, and repeatedly confuse product offerings from key players in the digital media space. 

 

These senior citizens are definitely who we want leading us into the fast paced, cutthroat, rapidly evolving, global information age.  As soon as they get done with their afternoon nap, of course.

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Great Graphs: