Which is why I said what makes more sense is a test for the individual on cognitive readiness and understanding of the law/constitution. Sure, some could make great leaders, but the overwhelming majority will not be ready. When you’re talking about old age, those numbers are a lot closer to 50/50, which is the definition of a false equivalency. You cannot equate something that affects almost everyone similarly to something that may or may not affect people in the future. They just aren’t the same.

It really isn’t a good argument though, considering we sell guns to 18 year olds who then go to shoot up schools and 14 year olds can’t consent to marrying 30 year olds. There is a big difference between being too young for something and too old for something. Cognitive decline does not happen with all elderly, but there is scientific proof that developing brains can be harmed by substances and our brains aren’t fully formed before a certain age. What you are arguing is the pinnacle of a false equivalency

Because THAT is discrimination. Saying someone is too old for something is very different than saying someone is too young for something. Minimum age limits are to protect peoples health, their well being and their safety. Maximum age limits disenfranchise a lot of potentially well adjusted people who could be fit for the job of president. With age usually comes wisdom.

Yeah that makes sense. Most individuals are still developing as adults into their 30s. 35 is a nice number for the overwhelming majority of people to be cognitively ready for governance over an entire country. Besides, the drinking age and age of consent aren’t ageist or discriminatory.

How do we discriminate youth?

That’s pretty ageist, don’t you think? I think if you take it on a case by case basis, we can disqualify certain candidates and allow others. I’d much rather see either a cognitive test to pass or at the bare minimum a test to see your knowledge of the constitution. You can make the argument that Trump and Biden are too old, but Bernie I don’t think is too old. And he probably has a better understanding of the constitution.