Dear friends,
Yesterday, I facilitated a conversation group with my English language learners on a topic they suggested: why doesn’t the US have more young leaders?
As I was preparing for the discussion, Mitt Romney made his announcement that he will not seek reelection in 2024.
“At the end of another term, I’d be in my mid-80s,” Romney, who is 76, said. “Frankly, it’s time for a new generation of leaders. They’re the ones that need to make the decisions that will shape the world they will be living in.”
And then I found this Romney cartoon from 2015. It shows a hunched and white-haired Romney standing with a walker before a crowd, saying
If at first you don’t succeed, . . .
A skeptical audience faces him. Behind him, in enormous blue letters across waving stripes of red and white, the wall reads: ROMNEY 2036.
How ironic that it is Mitt Romney who came forth in 2023 to say what needs saying.
My inbox contained an issue of the Intercept yesterday with the headline:
Pentagon-funded study warns dementia among US Officials poses national security threat
I write all this as a person who hopes to be thinking and writing coherently for another few decades. I also no longer work full time. We know there is natural variation, and that some people retain tremendous capacity into their 80s and even their 90s. And we know that lots of people do not.
One of my dear friends cares for her mom at home, in her little one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment. She has been doing this alone, while working full time, with no assistance. Her mom was hospitalized recently and is finally coming home. My friend needs to hire home care workers because her mom cannot stay on her own anymore.
If you have leads on great home care workers in Brooklyn, please text me at 929-313-3713.
NYS has the worst shortage of home care workers in the nation.
Low wages paired with challenging day-to-day tasks on the job creates a labor market with shortages and high turn-over, resulting in a constant need for recruitment and unmet needs of older adults and people with disabilities.
Tell Governor Hochul to make Fair Pay for Home Care a priority in NYS!
Maybe we don’t have young leaders because they’re sandwiched between childcare and eldercare responsibilities in a society that leaves everyone to work this out on their own.
We have to shape the world with science fiction vision and reality-based policy.
Biden’s aides are heading to Detroit to assist with contract negotiations for auto workers in the EV industry today. As the UAW leader noted:
The electric vehicle transition must be as much about workers’ rights as it is about fighting the climate crisis.
You can admire Biden and still come out and demand that the Administration stop federal approvals for new fossil fuel projects, phase out drilling on public lands, declare a climate emergency, and provide a just transition for workers as the economy shifts.
Meet up with other wiffijistas in the small plaza at the southwest corner of Central Park, right where it hits Columbus Circle at the bottom of Central Park West at 12:30-12:45 on Sunday.
Here’s our spot. Bring your signs, your drums, water, and snacks. You’ll see Extinction Rebellion nearby. Even if you can’t join us in the streets, do this:
Tell the President again to declare a climate emergency. It’s updated.
Whenever I have ageist thoughts, I’m reminded of the extraordinary climate work from the good people at Th!rd Act. These “experienced Americans” are wise enough to follow the lead of young people. It’s a good way to shape the world.
Take action with Th!rd Act to tell California’s governor to sign two climate disclosure bills. You can act from anywhere.
I’ll see you in the streets!
with love,
L