jimcee wrote:categorise the elderly as being cautionary, the young are rash, and neither are the qualities needed to run a country........................................................... medical science is keeping the older generation alive beyond their allotted span (myself included). and an economic falling birth rate will not redress the balance.
Leaving Independence aside for the moment.
The young are rash but we aren't allowing the 16-18 yr olds to vote, even although it's their future that's up for grabs and they're in full control of their cognitive faculties.
The elderly are cautious but a significant unfortunate percentage have become 'doolally' but they are allowed to continue to vote.
If you are correct and medical progress is extending lifespan but by default increasing the prevalence of dementia we may have a problem.
Should we remove the franchise with the issue of a pension book for example or God forbid the Bus Pass?...... or is all this a bit too '1984'
Although if I was a young-un, the calibre of those deciding my future may well worry me.
Oops, sorry this wasn't about independence!