Comments on: Voters get older while participants get younger

By: John Bennetts

John Bennetts — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:40:36 +0000

Richard, you have given it away.

67!

here am I, only young and 60, so of course I forgive you your not bonding with Natasha Stott WhatsHerName.

Besides which, she married a conservative.

Please remind me… what was inflating?

By: Wombat

Wombat — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:13:42 +0000

Richard, I normally agree with a lot you have to say. But the very concept of needing MORE people aged 50+ running this country makes me absolutely f**king furious. Perhaps it is you that needs to grow up a bit? “Experience of life” indeed. Just goes to show that every ageing lefty ends up a conservative.

By: Richard Farmer

Richard Farmer — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:04:24 +0000

Kirk - I fear I am talking my own age - 67 on All Saints Day!
More seriously, though, I worry about people with no experience of life at all having important roles in running the country.

By: John Bennetts

John Bennetts — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:56:49 +0000

Remember the Doc Martin’s?

The age of the wearer is no indication of the fit of the shoe.

Natasha was smart from the start and never lost it. Pity she gave up, really. What this country needs is smart, quick-witted, honourable and multi-skilled politicians of whatever age.

Note that Wilson Tucky is not what I have in mind. Nor yet another lawyer. Or party hack.

By: Kirk Broadhurst

Kirk Broadhurst — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:22:47 +0000

Beg to disagree, Richard.

Although Costello and Nelson are not so old that they are due to retire - like too many other sitting MPs - they are, at over 50 years of age, too old to be entering politics. Enter at 52 or 53, take a few years to get your footing, and all of a sudden they are 60 years old.

I would much rather have my public officers at 40 years of age than 60 years of age. There is some ‘experience’ that is gained with age, but the older individual lacks the energy, vigour, and relevance (i.e. being ‘in touch’) of the younger.

Experience is important, which is why the public prefer those at 40 years over those at 20 years. But quite simply I prefer not to empower a 60+ year old with making important decisions on my behalf.