Ageism Or wisdom
While aging starts at conception and ends with death, our society leans toward ageism, discriminating against older people because of negative and inaccurate stereotypes.
Capitalism tends to objectify people and things. Many think that acquiring more and more is better, preferring a fake billionaire who wears orange makeup, inherited many millions, and went bankrupt seven times,— over an incumbent president, labeled “old” though only three years older.
The inability to value and recognize wisdom and care about President Biden’s actual accomplishments as acclaimed by serious historians, is problematic.
Ignoring Trump’s and GOP’s ongoing efforts to stop the government, trample on the Constitution and rule of law and kill needed bills, cut and corporatize meager social safety net programs, including Social Security – is ruining this country and destroying our democracy. It denies addressing even the climate crisis!
How tragic that the world is watching this ongoing drama, understanding more than many here, the importance that our powerful and influential nation Get It Right.
They see the “writing on the wall”, that the American experiment with democracy – is on the line and in great peril.
Too many among us want the strongman macho imagery even though truly great men are seldom that type.
Trump’s 91 felony charges, his constant lying, his encouragement for the vile and violent insurrection, his big-time grifting, huge tax breaks for the already wealthy, and cuts to kill vital programs – may not be telling enough for truth and fact-free people.
His alignment with Putin, overt admiration for North Korean, Saudi Arabian heads of state, Hitler, Mussolini and other bloodthirsty leaders, Neo Nazis and militias – may tell us something, do ya think?
Shall we forget about politics, avoid getting informed and voting, DENY history’s lessons on tyranny and what happens when fascism’s strongman rules?
Past generations valued elders more than in technological times when we may throw away the old to get a newer model. Antiques gain value with age but not so much with people.
In a recent comprehensive interview, 83-year-old Sen. Bernie Sanders’ sharp wisdom, wit and empathy for regular Americans, including the more vulnerable among us, low incomes, seniors, the disabled, and children – shines as bright and clear as ever.
President Biden’s caring heart along with Vice President Kamala Harris, his passion for furthering efforts in a second term to lift more people up, focus on our rights, work with the GOP and move us forward – should encourage us to joyously resist ageism and value wisdom, truth and experience.