It’s a new year. How about some new faces in US politics?

I’m guessing that we can all agree 2021 was no better than 2020 in most regards. We started off with an assault on our democracy and ended with a whole new COVID-19 variant. What could possibly be worse than that? Well, hold on to your hats, folks, because President Joe Biden announced he will run for president in 2024 in a breathless rematch between him and the former president, whose name I shudder to mention. Yep, that’s right. For America’s next presidential election, we will likely be seeing a rematch two of the oldest, whitest men in America. What could be more frightening?

It is nearly three years away from the election, and we already have two people who have thrown their hats into the ring. Well, maybe not thrown their hats. Neither seems capable of throwing. Maybe they just carefully walked their hats into the ring. And if the ring had any slant to it, at least one of these men would need assistance getting to and from it. And then the game is on.

If that is not one of the most depressing things you have ever heard, you haven’t lived in America long enough to know just how depressing it is.

There was a time my generation wanted the “Greatest Generation” to get out of the way so we could take over and show how wonderful the Boomers were. That led to the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush presidencies. It was just embarrassing. And now the Millennials would like the Boomers to get out of the way so they can take their turn at fixing America. But we refuse to leave. So we take two of the oldest politicians we have and watch them campaign on 20th-century ideas while we are firmly in the 21st century.

For a generation whose original motto was, “Never trust anyone over 30,” we sure are embarrassing ourselves.

Whether you like either man’s politics or not, the reality is that the age when wise old men ruled the world seems to be over in most advanced societies. All over the world, the Boomers are giving up the seats of power to the next generation. All over the world except, apparently, in America.

Before I die — and as a Boomer, how far off can that be — I’d like to see what a Millennial or Gen Xer could do in a position of real power. I’d like to see what a woman would do as an American president. I’d like to see what someone could do who wasn’t 80-something and still listening to bubblegum rock. (If you don’t know what that is, check with my friend Benny in Utqiagvik. He has the entire collection.) I can’t imagine either Joe Biden or Donald Trump dancing to hip hop. The only reason they would be hopping on their hip was if they needed one replaced.

The question, of course, is where do we find this new talent and how hard will it be to push Biden and Trump off the stage so the next generation can get air time? Because you know once a campaign starts in which these men are running, that will be the only thing the media focuses on. Anyone else will be lucky to get passing mention.

Here in Alaska, we have the honor of having the last of the Greatest Generation representing us in Congress. Yep, Don Young. He keeps getting elected because he’s Republican, and that seems to be pretty much the only requirement in Alaska to win statewide office. He’s so old he doesn’t even have to pretend he represents all Alaskans anymore. He has made it very clear that he only represents those Alaskans who voted for him. Think of him like you would your great-granddad. What’s the chance you can convince him of the realities of the 21st century? That’s our Don. And now I get the distinct impression that he is trying to be the first congressman to reach age 100 in office. And I get an even bigger impression that Alaskans are happy to help him achieve that goal.

So all you Millennials and Gen-Xers, relax and go back to your video games or whatever amuses you. We Boomers plan to stay in power until the last shovelful of dirt hits our grave.

Elise Patkotak is an Alaska columnist and author. Her book “Coming Into the City” is available at AlaskaBooksandCalendars.com and at local bookstores.

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