At the Ripe Age of 55!

Written by Frank Li

Fifty-five years ago today (July 30, 1959), I was born in Hangzhou, China.

Today, I am a happy man, largely because My American Dream Has Come True! For example, my two sons are doing well on their own (Parenting in America: Twenty-Five Years Back and Twenty-Five Years Ahead); my business is also doing well; and I am, hopefully, becoming a better writer week by week.

Because I have strong opinions on the subject of age and politics (American Presidency: Raising the Minimum Age to 55!), I’d like to make a correlation between my age and politics with four milestones:

1. When I turned 18: the minimum age to vote in America.

2. When I turned 35: the minimum age for the American Presidency.

3. When I turned 45: the minimum age for the Chinese Presidency.

4. Today I am 55: the minimum age for the American Presidency, as I have proposed.

Now, let me elaborate on each.

1. When I turned 18

It was July 30, 1977. What was I doing then? I was busily preparing for the college exam, as it was then a once-in-more-than-a-decade opportunity for a Chinese and the only way out of misery! For more, read: 1977 Exam Opened Escape Route into China’s Elite.

As for politics, it was not an issue for me! But if I could have voted, I would have voted for someone who would possibly give me a good prospect of a good job.

2. When I turned 35

It was July 30, 1994. What was I doing then? Personally, I was very busy with parenting. Professionally, I was working at a top consulting firm in the U.S. (and globally), trying to have a career beyond a job.

Politically, although I did not become a U.S. citizen until 1996, I was paying attention to American politics, leaning strongly towards the Democratic Party. As for voting for someone of my age to be the American President, it was extremely unlikely! Why? Because I knew that no one of my age was truly capable of leading anything that big!

3. When I turned 45

It was July 30, 2004. What was I doing then? Personally, I was still very busy with parenting. Professionally, I was between jobs, wondering whether and how to start my own business, as it appeared that I would never be happy working for anyone! My biggest concern was that I had never been a salesman, which I knew was essential to have any success in my own business …

Politically, I became more interested in American politics, leaning more and more towards the Republican Party for one key reason: I was being taxed too heavily!

4. Today, I am 55

I have been successfully running my own business over the past nine years. Here are my three big conclusions:

1. Few can truly live the American Dream, without having successfully run their own business first! Why? Freedom in general and financial freedom in specific!

2. No man is complete, or even very good, without being a good salesman first! Why? You learn so much in sales that you will inevitably become a better person by becoming more flexible, adaptable, humble, and result-oriented!

3. It was impossible for me to really understand America without having my own business! Over the past nine years, I have met many small business owners, who are truly the engine of the American economy: they work hard; they create jobs; and they pay taxes!

Politically, I consider myself a compassionate Conservative today. Furthermore, I intend to change the world for the better, with my pen!

5. Discussion

As human beings, we all should appreciate the old adage: “with age comes wisdom.”

As a nation, we should appreciate this adage as well. Unfortunately, the U.S. has not been doing very well in that regard. Specifically, the Constitutional requirement for the minimum age of the American Presidency remains at 35, unchanged for more than 200 years!

Age matters! Experience matters! Leadership matters!

Any doubt? Compare the three “kings” of the Three New Kingdoms in terms of experience and accomplishments!

Here is the bottom line: both President Xi and President Putin have proven to be extremely good for their respective countries, while President Obama’s favorability rating has been consistently below 50% in the U.S. for a long time!

Why such a big difference in accomplishment? Among other things, “with age comes wisdom” and real leadership!

6. Closing

At 55, I believe I am wiser than ever. I also believe I am peaking in leadership, both mentally and physically. The same should apply to others as well.

America, it’s time to raise the minimum age of the American Presidency to 55! For more, read: American Presidency: Raising the Minimum Age to 55!