Senator Max Baucus[/caption]President Barack Obama's choice of Ambassador to China, Montana Senator Max Baucus, has received criticism from some of the public and the media that Senator Baucus is too old for the job. He is 72 years old. But is that age a serious barrier to his ability to serve in the capacity of Ambassador to China, even in the face of the smog conditions that exist in the country?
Age is one of the barriers not just in politics but in the arts and business too. Age 65 has been the usual and customary retirement age for individuals in the United States, with some of the European countries having even earlier periods for retirement. Yet age continues to be one the principal barriers to gaining positions in politics, the arts, business and even in social arenas.
Nelson Mandela was 75 when he was elected President of South Africa. Ronald Reagan was just two weeks short of his 70th birthday when he was elected President of the United States. Colonel Sanders was 65+ when he started the Kentucky Fried Chicken business with only his secret chicken recipe and Social Security check to support him at the outset. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed to the Court at age 51 and served a quarter of a century to age 75, when she left her position on the Court to be available for her husband's care.
There are many more examples of people in their 60's, 70's and 80's working or volunteering around the world, even under difficult conditions. Yet age remains a barrier in many arenas, leaving seniors with limited choices when they reach a certain age. In music, most of the reality shows focus on youth. American Idol has a restriction for those who wish to appear on that show. Other reality shows, such as The Voice, seldom, if ever, have a performer over the age of 50. Business places people on retirement status at that certain age of 65, while those same businesses will advertise for senior volunteers they don't have to pay. Ageism remains a concern to those healthy and able seniors. In the case of the appointment of Senator Max Baucus, other criteria, such as whether he has relevant experience in Asian affairs remains reasonable; but the fact of his age as a barrier reveals the misconceptions about the elderly that continues to drive much of the culture around the world.
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