Power, leadership, old age and a presidential debate

I turned on my TV to watch the presidential debate for a few minutes and decided it was the right thing to do; I did not watch it all, as politics these days has a tendency to disrupt the calm I seek.

But as I watched this debate, I couldn’t help but think of a few interesting comments made by others previously on power, leadership and old age.

I first thought of Abe Lincoln’s observation: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” I applied that "character" element to those debating candidates as I attempted to evaluate each one.

And then I remembered a good definition of a leader; a good leader should have integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion and resilience. I examined each candidate’s leadership credentials on this definition as well.

I also pondered Lord Acton’s axiom that power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely; this concept suggests that having power corrupts a man, or lessens his morality, and the more power a man has, the more corrupted he will become.

When it comes to power, some folk even suggest that powerful people experience many things and privileges not afforded to poor people; and they often can buy their way out of trouble.

More Pete: Can’t every day be like Christmas?

Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher and writer, once suggested that a true leader is one who sets the example for others to follow, rather than relying on their position of power to command.

As I studied the two debating candidates, I came to realize that one was 78 years old while the other was 81. Two men competing for the most important position in the world while aging as they compete to do so; what lies ahead, one must wonder?

Mark Twain has been accused of saying that old age is a privilege denied to many, and factually, I suspect he was right.

But growing old is not without a few impediments. At Benny’s Pub one evening, I engaged in a conversation with another fellow who apparently knew me quite well. For the life of me I couldn’t remember his name. After speaking to him for several minutes I finally asked him — who are you?

“Pete, I’ve been doing your taxes for the last 30 years;” we both laughed, and I chose to blame it on the libation as opposed to my memory.

But let us ponder some other examples of aging.

Tim Rowland: 'Classy' restaurants have been pushing the envelope for too long

Consider that Ronald Reagan was 69 years old when he became president in 1981; he served as president from 1981-89.

In a National Public Radio report by Mark Memmott in Jan. 14, 2011, he was reviewing a book, "My Father at 100," written by Ron Reagan, the president’s son.

Memmott’s report shared several "blog" reports written by Ron Reagan in regard to his dad’s mental status:

“Three years into his first term as president ... I was feeling the first shivers of concern.”

“Watching the first of his two debates with 1984 Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale, I began to experience the nausea of a bad dream coming true ... My heart sank as he floundered his way through his responses.”

In 1994, Nancy Reagan told the nation of her husband’s dementia.

Old age, for sure, has its diminishing factors to consider. At almost 76, I’m beginning to experience some of them with names and places. I am not as sharp mentally as I once was.

Signs of dementia, however, are a little different; consider these symptoms from Bridget Howes, a Blue Cross Consumer Advisor:

1. Forgetting important information — forgetting names of friends and love ones

2. Difficulty with simple tasks — a hard time remembering to pay bills, pick up spouses/children or carry out normal hygiene procedures

3. Difficulty in familiar settings — forgetting how to get home, or cannot remember which room is the bedroom, or which way to go

4. Difficulty in new settings — another common symptom of dementia is the tendency to become disoriented in a new environment

5. Frequently forgetting words — it is not normal to forget words altogether; forgetting simple words, slurs words or forgets important information, it is time to seek help

6. Difficulty making decisions — if a person is having a hard time making simple decisions like what to eat or where to go or if they become frustrated over simple issues, it is likely that this is dementia

So many important factors above to consider in selecting one effective and prepared candidate to lead our country.

More: Hey Rudolph, make way for a piebald buddy

The future lies awaiting in anxious anticipation.

Are you a bit anxious as well?

Me too!

Pete Waters is a Sharpsburg resident who writes for The Herald-Mail.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Power, leadership, old age and a presidential debate