When it comes to age on the ballot, Texas didn’t wait until 2024 to weigh in.

Asked to let judges stay on the bench until they’re 79 years old — a year younger than President Joe Biden — Texas voters soundly rejected the proposal in Tuesday’s elections, a defeat that drew new attention to issues of age and fitness for office in the U.S.

“Age is front of mind for American voters in a way that it has not traditionally been and they are nervous about it,” said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University.

Others cautioned against broader takeaways. At least four other states have rejected similar proposals over the last decade, according to the National Center for State Courts. And states that have passed the measures have mostly done so in close votes.

    • Joe-Blow240@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Not in the slightest. Trump is a prime example of what happened to the brains of kids who ate lead paint chips.

    • HuddaBudda@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      The problem with these guys isn’t that they are old, it is that their way of dealing with problems is outdated.

      • They thought that $400 was enough to cover people for months of lost Covid wages.

      • They still think oil is “the most perfect energy in the world”

      • They think college is still $1200 for the experience

      • They think $7.50 is more then enough to cover housing, car, essentials.

      • No reality on global warming. Because it isn’t going to effect them.

      • agent_flounder@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Only one of those things is partially due to age. The rest of it is because they’re beholden to corporations. A geriatric progressive / social democrat / actual leftie would have very different views.

      • lolcatnip@reddthat.com
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        1 year ago

        If you think they’re trying to do the right thing but just don’t know any better, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.

        • HuddaBudda@kbin.social
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          1 year ago

          I think they’re both. I don’t treat my politicians like Good vs. Evil.

          But as smart evil vs. dumb evil.

          Some of these guys have failed upwards so long just by doing the same cost cutting measures they always had. It’s the only strategy that has worked for them for 75+ years.

          Only this time it isn’t working.

          Rather then change their mindset, they will let America Rot and the rest of the world will outpace us in our hubris. I consider this a dumb evil situation.

          • burntbutterbiscuits@sh.itjust.works
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            1 year ago

            It’s pretty evil. Unless the politician in question openly refuses corporate PAC money, you can be sure they take open bribes that affect their decisions to betray the will and values of the American people.

            I hate to break it to you, but Biden is definitely a corporate hack.

            • HuddaBudda@kbin.social
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              1 year ago

              I hate to break it to you, but Biden is definitely a corporate hack.

              For sure, but that is my fault for not adding context.

              I wasn’t referencing a political party, but a mindset any political leader. I would hope that most leaders would make smart decisions.

              But my personal belief is that most governments operate on a sense of Narcissism or Egoism.

              Which can still be useful, but not if for every dumb evil choice (Roe V Wade) that is made, 50 dumb evil problems are created.

              Who can respect that?

                • HuddaBudda@kbin.social
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                  1 year ago

                  I think humans lie to themselves the most. We can convince ourselves to believe the prettiest of lies even if the reality is vile.

                  I think Hitler convinced himself he was right for what he did, but I do believe he knew what he was doing was evil.

                  That’s Just my speculation.

    • jennwiththesea@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      The party that would vote for Trump is also older, though. The Democratic party needs to attract the younger folks, so it’s more of a concern for us than for the MAGA crowd.