Dear Editor,

I am writing to discuss something that affects not only every student at Diablo Valley College, but every person currently living in America: the rising age of our congress members.

In grade school, we are taught about the functions of our government. We are told that we have the power to elect individuals that best represent us to fight for beneficial legislation on the congressional floor.

Unfortunately, this statement is no longer accurate. The people’s needs have changed with the coming of the information age, but our congress members have largely stayed the same. Corporation-backed incumbents with outdated opinions and declining cognitive abilities have clogged the system, limiting the opportunity for fresh voices in Congress, and discouraging the younger generation from going into politics in the first place.

24 members of congress are 80 or older. Simply put, someone who is on the verge of dementia cannot possibly be the best decision-maker for an entire country. Limiting the age of congress members is possible, and it falls on the younger generations to do so.

I encourage The Inquirer to spread awareness on this issue, and continue to inform students on how they can make their voices heard in politics.

Sincerely,

Alexandra Smart

Hayward, CA