America’s respect for older people a lesson for Australia

The age of potential US presidential candidates is a recognition of their experience and it’s one that Australia could well learn from, writes Sarah Blake.

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A lot of Australians are surprised at the age of the potential presidential talent pool here in America.

With the retirement from the field of potential Democratic candidates Mike Bloomberg, 78, and Elizabeth Warren, 70, the remaining hopefuls are Joe Biden, 77, Bernie Sanders, 78, and Tulsi Gabbard, 38.

Ms Gabbard is an Iraq War vet who could only kindly be referred to as an outside chance, given she’s polling under the margin of error.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is aged 77. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

She is most likely still running until after her home state of Hawaii votes next week.

It could also be because, a) she is an expert troll, or b) she actually is the mischief-making Russian asset that Hillary Clinton has controversially accused her of being.

But as the reliably folksy Mr Biden would say: here’s the thing.

While Ms Gabbard is just three years above the threshold to run for presidential office, there is no upper age limit.

At 72, Hillary Clinton has not been ruled out of a last minute Hail Mary run if the Democratic race ends up in a contested mess later this year.

Tulsi Gabbard from Hawaii is the youngest Democratic candidate at 38. Picture: AFP

Having been raised in youth-centric Australia, where the other side of 50 is considered the downward slope, it’s interesting to get your head around the American appetite to embrace senior citizens as leaders and key contributors, from pretty much all sectors of society.

Bernie Sanders’ biggest supporter group are young people. Many love him.

Our 18-year-son explains it this way: “He’s morally consistent and everyone is worried about how they’re going to pay for college and health care. We just want things to be different and he’s that.”

Who cares about his white hair and bald patch when his morals are so vibrant?”

Ms Gabbard has not been able to capture this sort of youth sentiment.

Former democratic presidential candidate and former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg is 78. Picture: AFP

Similarly unsuccessful were ‘Mayor Pete’ Buttigieg, 38, and one-time Democratic poster boy Beto O’Rourke, 47.

Age really is just a number here, at least in this race.

US President Donald Trump is 73 but prances around like a 40-year-old. (He also dishes schoolyard insults like he’s just out of kindergarten and tweets like a nasty tween, but that’s another column).

The oldest Australian to be elected to office was Billy McMahon, at the age of 63.

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Senator Bernie Sanders is 78. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

In fact nobody over the age of 60, save for Malcolm Turnbull by a few short months, has led this country in nearly 50 years.

The American broadcast media is peppered by people with white hair, a silver fox is an asset in a workplace and several Fortune 500 CEOs are in their 80s.

Go to a diner and you’re likely to be served by someone who went to Woodstock, and some of the best Manhattan martinis I’ve had were shaken by slick and very professional over 50s.

Senator Elizabeth Warren is 70. Picture: AFP

There is a quite lovely recognition here that America values older people and their experience, and perhaps even their more gentle pace and rhythm.

And yes, the counter argument is that things are so messed up that Americans have to keep working right up until the day they fall into the grave.

But even though our safety net may be wider and many of us have the buffer of superannuation, I’d argue that’s not so far from the future reality for many Australians.

There is a lot wrong in America, and it must be said Mr Biden’s age has definitely showed itself, and not in a good way, on the campaign trail.

But the fact that older people are valued and respected is an admirable trait, and one that Australia could well learn from.

Originally published as America’s respect for older people a lesson for Australia