Smokin' Joe wrote:
"I won't accept that there is a specific age at the top end,any more than I like the idea of limiting responsible and capable young people using an arbitrary number."
I disagree, Joe.
The Constitution specifically includes "age discrimination" for the offices of Representative (25), Senator (30), and President (35). It's right there, on paper, baked-in, straight from The Founders to you.
For the same reasons, there should be age limits "at the other end" as well.
I would mandate a retirement age for federal judges and Supreme Court justices. Let's make that 72 years of age. On your 72nd birthday, you go "on pension".
For elected offices, I would qualify such positions to wit, that as part of the qualifications for such office a person must not be older than, say, 70 years of age at the date of being sworn in.
And, to get it passed, exempt any judge or elected officeholder from such requirements as of the time such rules become effective. "Grandfather" them in, so to speak. You got to do, what you got to do.