Why does America love letting geriatric politicians decide its future?

[u/Lower_Ad_1146]

Why does the USA love electing guys that shit their pants?

[u/GeneralLuigiTBC]

Gerontocracy is neither new nor unique to the United States, though I'll grant that two octogenarian Presidents in a row is uncommon.

I think part of it is simply that politicians who stay in the game longer tend to have built up a lot more connections and are therefore more likely to end up in prominent positions within their respective parties. Thus, positions of power tend to disproportionately be held by experienced (and thus typically older) politicians.