What about the too-young?

Why are US politicians so old? | Perspective, Nov. 12

I often wonder why politicians in their golden years would continue working and not retire in order to spend time with their families and loved ones. As they say, nobody wishes they would have spent more time at the office, upon contemplating their long lives. An equally important and relevant question regarding politicians is the trend of young people in their 20s in government. Many, if not most of those elected, are social media savvy and have done well in school. Yet, they are way too young to have the wisdom necessary to act on bills and issues that affect us. There is no app for common sense, earned by experiencing life. Will these trends of older and younger politicians end? I sure hope so as we need both people with open minds and a cache of experience as they influence our lives.

Rand S. Moorhead, St. Petersburg

Energy, not age

Why are US politicians so old? | Perspective, Nov. 12

When we talk about President Joe Biden’s age and compare him to former President Donald Trump, who is but a few years removed in age from the current office holder, it might not be just the actual numbers that need review. Part of seeing someone as “old” has to do with how one carries their age. It’s about the image that they project. Trump seems to me to project, to a degree, more energy and clarity than Biden does, but no one is ever going to mistake either of these two fellas for being young and energetic. It’s all about perception.

Dean S. Robinson, Tampa

Drain the swamp

Why are US politicians so old? | Perspective, Nov. 12

I’m sorry if my generation had anything to do with where our country is today. With the far right and the far left digging into the soul of our country, I do not see a bright future in bipartisan congressional action anytime soon. With members of Congress spending too much time raising funds for their party or themselves and the rest of their time bickering or not even in session, little is accomplished. We need different kinds of people in Congress. If there were term and age limits, I believe we could begin to clean out the do-nothing, I-just-want-to-stay-in-Congress types. It is time to drain the swamp. Use your vote next year to elect someone who is willing to work with the other side to benefit all of us.

E. Seward, Odessa

His time is up

Oldsters are doing their best work | Column, Nov. 13

I totally disagree with columnist Melinda Henneberger’s reasoning. How is it possible to conclude that President Joe Biden, because of his experience, but despite his age, is “prepared for this moment.” No one knows to what degree his age has affected his cognitive and physical skills, but we all have eyes and ears. We all can see the decline. And things will get even more questionable over the next five years. No matter what you think of Donald Trump, that is not the issue. Biden has served his country for around 50 years. His time is up. It is not ageism to recognize that Biden is no longer able to handle the most important and demanding job in the world.

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Doug Hardin, Dade City

Don’t give it to them

The wildest ride | Nov. 12

My fervent hope is that every decent person and professed animal lover, after reading the gruesome statistics associated with horse racing in the Nov. 12 lead story, “The wildest ride,” will never again bet on or watch a horse race. Spending your dollars at the track, and glorifying races like the Triple Crown, encourages more breeding, abusing and the eventual slaughter of these majestic creatures for our entertainment and owners’ pocketbooks. It’s all done for your money. Don’t give it to them.

Terri Benincasa, Palm Harbor

For the love of rainbows

In Hillsborough, a book box is yanked. What happened? | Column, Nov. 12

So, someone didn’t like a Little Free Library box painted in the colors of the LGBTQ+ community. Didn’t like the content of the books either. What about all the children’s books that have rainbows? Are we going to try and remove all those books from Florida? What about crayon boxes? Children could use those to draw actual rainbows if left unsupervised! Are we going to forbid children from going outside if there is a rainbow in the sky? Where does this fear of, and prejudice against, rainbows end?

Russ A. Johnson, Hudson

Babies can’t vote

Abortion may drive voters to ballot box | Nov. 12

Sadly to me from apparently now the minority side, abortion is driving voters to the ballot box. From the pro-life side, let me speculate that abortion is legal only because babies cannot vote. The pro-abortion side has won the battle of verbiage in that now, to me at least, murder is now labeled as “health care” and “reproductive rights.” How proudly voters celebrated in Ohio recently when the issue allowing abortion right up to the time of viability passed by a wide margin. As the late President Ronald Reagan once astutely noted, those who are in favor of abortion have already been born.

Kenn Sidorewich, Oldsmar