I propose that the minimum starting age of the American Presidency be raised to 55 and capped at 70, thus making the American Presidency more competitive against the Chinese Presidency.
1. The U.S. Constitution
Below is an excerpt from the U.S. Constitution (Article II, Section 1, Clause 5).
How should we interpret it?
Below is an excerpt from The Heritage Guide to the Constitution – Presidential Eligibility.
2. Life expectancy
What was America’s life expectancy in 1789 when George Washington was elected the first President?
From 1750 to 1800, it was 36 (www.legacy.com/life-and-death/the-liberty-era.html).
What is America’s life expectancy today?
Around 78 (U.S. Life Expectancy 1950-2025).
Two basic questions:
- Why is it that our life expectancy has more than doubled since 1789, but the minimum age for the American Presidency remains unchanged at 35?
- At what age is a person more likely to have better “judgment and civic virtue” today: 35 or 55?
Age matters – There is no substitute for experience. Judgment and civic virtue come from experience, which cannot be gained without the necessary investment in time.
Unfortunately for America, we can no longer afford a “learn as you go” President. Yet, that is exactly what we have been getting, at least over the past two decades. The damage to America by our inexperienced Presidents is becoming existential threat to our future.
Now, let us look at China, our chief competitor …
3. The Chinese Presidency
Below is a highlight from Earned emperorship in China:
- The starting age range for a Chinese President is 45-68. For example, both President Xi and his predecessor Hu took office at age 60.
- All recent Chinese Presidents have served as state governors and the Vice President before ascending to the top job in China.
4. Applying the Chinese system to America
Applying the Chinese system to America, there would have been neither President Obama (too young & too inexperienced) nor Presidents Trump and Biden (too old).
Wouldn’t we have been better off, had they all been ineligible?
Now, you might argue: what about two recent “great” Presidents – JFK (too young & too inexperienced – not being a governor) and Ronald Reagan (too old)?
Both were war (i.e., Cold War) Presidents, and neither faced a real formidable economic and political competitor like China – Times have changed.
Finally, you might argue: “how about President Lincoln (too inexperienced)?”
Lincoln served one term in the U.S. House, lost two elections for the U.S. Senate, and was managing his three-person law office before becoming the President.
My answer is the same: “times have changed.” More openly, let us accept President Lincoln as an exception, not the rule.
5. Discussion
In America, an inexperienced President with re-election in mind equals a total disaster, especially in today’s competitive world. Yes, Presidents Bush II, Obama, Trump (45), and Biden are all proven disasters for America!
Are we just experiencing bad luck to have had at least four bad Presidents in a row?
No, “it is the political system, stupid!”
The world has dramatically changed over the past three decades, at least, but our political system has stagnated for 200 years, spiraling toward failure.
In other words, unless our political system is fundamentally changed for the better, the streak of bad Presidents will continue.
Here is a popular argument: “experience is important, but age is not.”
Experience is not quantifiable, but age is. Therefore, it makes sense to require a minimum age of 55 for the American Presidency, without exception. After all, isn’t age 55 today like age 35 200 years ago in terms of the life expectancy? In fact, age 55 becomes even more reasonable when it is combined with a one-term limit (e.g., six years).
Why six years?
Because that is more comparable to the successful Chinese Presidency, which is an earned kingship for 10 years at least.
Why is the minimum age for the Chinese Presidency 45?
The Chinese looked at our minimum age of 35 and thought it was too low.
Why should we set the starting age range for the American Presidency to be 55-70?
Because we need to improve further on the Chinese age range of 45-68.
Finally, here is another big problem for America: we end up with a big club of former Presidents, who continue to enrich themselves long after their bad Presidencies. Three examples:
- Bill Clinton raked in $100M in speeches over last decade.
- George W. Bush charged wounded vets group $100K for speech. Even Donald Trump got this one right (Donald Trump Blasts George W. Bush, Jeb For Former President Being Paid $100K To Speak To Veterans In 2012).
- Barack Obama’s Net Worth Surges After Leaving the White House, Thanks to Wall Street.
Now, look at this:
Sad for America: from Harry Truman to Joe Biden, times have indeed changed, for the worse.
In contrast, look at this:
Still wondering why China’s astronomical comeback coincides with America’s steep decline over the past few decades?
Wonder not – “It is the political system, stupid!”
6. President Trump (47)
Will he be another exception like President Lincoln?
I sincerely hope so.
For more, read: Donald Trump vs. Deng Xiaoping.
7. Closing
America, it is time to change the starting age of the American President to 55 (from 35), and cap it at 70!
America, reform our failing political system, as I have suggested (History 2.0 – China’s Comeback vs. America’s Decline), or become a fiddle, second to China!
