General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Is arguing that older elected officials should make way for younger ones "Identity Politics?" [View all]Maeve
(42,270 posts)Liberals used to be good at it...(not picking on you, Effie, just noting how fallen our current discourse becomes...)
Older officials WILL make way for the younger; it is the nature of reality. But the younger need to learn from their elders as well, or they will make the same damn mistakes we did. As I move out of middle age, I see myself slowing down. I know my body and my brain don't work as they once did. But I also know more about how the world works than I did when I was younger. Lots of things change, but human nature hasn't. And the only way to govern all is to listen to all--but choose wisely which advice you will follow.
"Identity Politics" is a catch-phrase popular now. But it is just people pursuing their own group's interests, something that has been around forever. It fails when it refuses to look at the bigger picture, when it focuses on "me and mine" and ignores "you and yours" and "them and theirs" when trying to come up with solutions for "all of us". It was created to bring the neglected and downtrodden into the circle of power and for that, it is important. But we need to get back to politics as interaction and compromise, to what works for more of us, rather than what works for "just us".
I've reached an age where I won't vote for many people older than I am anymore--they need to teach the young and then step aside. Be mentors and sages; sit under their own fig trees. (Note: I didn't say I wouldn't vote for anyone older than me; there are always exceptions to any rule. And I want RBG to stay on as long as she can manage!)