Forget About That Rocking Chair
by JIM BEAM - The American Press (excerpt)

State Rep. Rickey Hardy is the one who needs to be “sitting in a rocking chair, kicking back” — not me. The Lafayette Democrat has filed a bill for the upcoming legislative session that would prohibit anyone 70 or older from running for public office in Louisiana. What an insult to those of us who fit that category who happen to think these are some of our most productive years.

Don Kingery, a colleague of mine, is in his 80s, and he turns out more copy than anyone half his age. He has published a number of Timeline books and has a tremendous following among our readers. They enjoy the weekly personal columns he has been writing for years. Most of you know people 70 and older who are making valuable contributions to their communities. Some societies hold their elders in high esteem. Not Hardy. “Pass the baton to someone young,” he said. “You become stagnant. You’re taking up a seat. You’re no longer energized.” It’s discrimination!

If Hardy were a wiser man — he’s only in his 50s — he would know that age discrimination has become un-American. And he would realize that older Americans have a lot to offer — politically and otherwise.