When You Realize People Never Grow Up
I’m 67 years old and have seen a lot happen in our world. As a fifth-generation American — assuming the average generation spans about 50 years since our country’s founding — I’ve had a front-row seat to many changes. And in this age of fast, free-flowing information, I find myself deeply disappointed in how people behave.
Far too many people in the political sphere act like children. Our president resorts to name-calling, and many other politicians — on both sides of the aisle — behave just as immaturely. Imagine a group of adults elected to lead the country who resort to schoolyard insults and tantrums. It’s embarrassing. The behavior of the Democrats, the current opposition party, has become so juvenile that I sometimes wonder how they even got elected. But not long ago, the Republicans were doing the exact same thing. I live in California, and watching our governor’s recent behavior has been just as frustrating.
This immaturity isn’t limited to politicians — it’s rampant in the media as well. News anchors and talk show hosts throw tantrums when things don’t go their way. These are supposed to be educated, successful people — individuals we once looked to as trusted voices. But now? Many of them act more like entitled children than responsible professionals.
Even the recent protests across the country highlight this same behavior. People are attacking ICE agents and police officers, having public meltdowns on holidays like the 4th of July, simply because they’re not getting what they want.
When I was growing up, my parents taught me that life isn’t fair and that being an adult means accepting that. I didn’t get everything I wanted. I worked hard and still do — even at 67, I work part-time. Why? Because the so-called leaders of our country, for the past four decades, have spent more money than they’ve taken in, causing massive inflation and national debt. I was raised believing Social Security would provide for me in retirement, enough to live comfortably. But we all know that promise has fallen short. I’m not working because I’m broke — I’m working because I’m not ready to dip into our nest egg (savings, 401k, home equity, etc.) when the people in charge can’t seem to act like grown-ups.
I don’t know how many years I have left, but I do know that if we had adults running things, our country would be in a much better place.
Sadly, this problem isn’t unique to America. Around the world, nations are in conflict because their leaders are acting like children who can’t accept compromise. Russia, China, and Iran behave like schoolyard bullies — only these bullies have weapons, and they use them to kill people they disagree with.
It’s disheartening to live in a world where so many people never grow up. Our leaders are insolent, tantrum-throwing children, and many of us — the adults — are left feeling embarrassed and powerless to make meaningful change.
When I was younger, there were real grown-ups in leadership. America had strong, respectable figures — even in the media — that we could trust. Those days seem long gone. I often wonder if any of our modern presidents have truly been adults in the room. But history shows us that real leaders once stood tall. Reagan, Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Adams — they acted like adults and accomplished great things.
There were also business leaders who changed the world. Did they all act like adults? No. So clearly, intelligence alone doesn’t guarantee maturity.
As someone who loves this country deeply, I sometimes wish I weren’t so in tune with what’s happening. From my twenties to my mid-fifties, I was busy working hard and living the American Dream. I didn’t pay much attention to politics or the state of our leadership. Maybe I didn’t have time, or maybe I didn’t care. But as I moved into partial retirement, I started to pay attention. What I found was disheartening: our country — and the world — is being run by babies and bullies.
I hope that changes. Maybe my children will live to see a time when adults are once again in charge.