Barbara Fassett
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Barbara Fassett, who has lived in Michigan nearly her entire life. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Ever since I was a young girl, my dad taught me the importance of voting. He considered it a civic duty, and I do, too. All six of my siblings and I registered to vote as soon as we were able and I've voted in every election since, from county or national races.
My household was conservative and I tend to vote Republican, but I never stick to the party for the sake of consistency. Instead, I follow my late father's advice and examine candidates' policies and records. This election, though, I'm also considering age.
I've spent nearly all of my 82 years in Michigan. I've seen the state change politically, watching it go from blue to red as I went from childhood, to adulthood, to old age. And though I'm as engaged as ever, reading the newspaper far more than other residents at my retirement home, I know that an octogenarian is generally not up for the job of president.
I, for one, cannot imagine being the country's Commander in Chief. The job demands that you're constantly alert and up-to-date, moving at a clip that's difficult even for a young person to maintain. There are some days where I can't even read past a certain time, depending on how hot it is or how busy I've been. Being the president, you can't count on a full eight or nine hours of rest each night. What if someone attacks American ships, or there are urgent updates abroad?
Biden may be well-informed about the issues, but he doesn't seem quick in interviews or on his feet. We're all forgetful at this age, and the title of "President" doesn't protect you against the realities of time. The debate was troubling, but my concerns predated that night. President Biden was, quite frankly, too old four years ago, and he'll certainly be too old four years from now.
And despite my conservative leanings, I've never voted for Trump. I never will. I don't trust him or his morals. He couldn't tell the truth if his soul depended on it. Beyond that, he's overweight and barely younger than Biden himself.
If my dad was alive, he'd likely think the same way. He died at 68, but even at that age he knew that there comes a time to let younger people lead. They have more energy. They have more of their futures at stake. As far as my dad was concerned, anyone beyond Medicare age, which Biden and Trump have long surpassed, should be passing the torch.
Few of my friends keep up with politics. I only know four others at my nursing home who read the paper out of 90 residents. Most didn't even know the debate was happening, let alone watched. I've already cast my absentee ballot for Michigan's August 6 primary, but I doubt many of them will do the same, even though our tax dollars cover the postage. If there were more young people in politics, my friends might be more excited by the elections.
If the candidates were to drop out, younger leaders could learn from their wisdom and benefit from their vast experience. Then, age truly would be an asset. But power is addictive, especially for Trump. Power is hard to relinquish once you've held it in your own two hands.
This election, I'll probably write in Tim Scott's name or vote for the libertarian candidate — I just can't trust either of the older options. I've been thinking about politics longer than both Biden and Trump; I've got them beat by one and four years respectively. I wish they'd listen to their elders and know that it's time to step aside.
