Late 2023, former Dutch PM Mark Rutte (b.1967) acknowledged the criticism that he overstayed his position, while adding that “you notice your decreasing effectiveness when you stay too long” (AD, translation by LO). Hence, Joe Biden (b.1942) must know this as well.
The criticism by Dilan Yesilgöz (the new leader of the liberal party) included an interesting unite vs divide element: “You cannot expect from someone to keep the country together by removing differences, and then boosting the party by stressing such differences” (AD, translation by LO).
Actually, a lack of ideology was long viewed as a key strength of Mark Rutte. It probably (also) explains his imminent new job as Secretary-General of NATO. Slowly, his behaviour was viewed as flip-flopping during various political crises. Subsequently, it became his weakness.
Since about 2022, Joe Biden has urged NATO members that Mark Rutte should succeed Jens Stoltenberg. Joe Biden and Mark Rutte are both pragmatists. Both share a lack of ideology. Mark Rutte might inform Joe Biden that overstaying your welcome is a bad idea.
During my American vacations in the 1980s, I noticed (very) senior citizens working in supermarkets. Back then, I felt embarrassed that their only task was putting my groceries in plastic bags. Today, I suppose they felt relieved by earning money and surviving their high cost of living.
Age in USA is a very different issue compared to Europe. Dutch labor contracts are automatically terminated by reaching legal retirement at 67 (was 65 until 2010). Renewing such contracts is difficult. The common solution is becoming an independent contractor.
Many European social benefits are missing in USA, like healthcare, sick days, state pension, unemployment, vacation allowance and vacation days. I suppose this explains the many senior citizens who are still working to a very late age.
In 2020, then-SCOTUS justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (b.1933) died at the (working) age of 87. I suppose she is one of the reasons why Joe Biden (b.1942) is still unwilling to retire, despite staggering amounts of criticism.
“A conversation or story that goes on too long always ends badly. Overstaying you’re welcome, Boring people with your presence, is the deepest failing: you should leave them wanting more of you, not less.”
A quote from The 33 Strategies of War (2006) by Robert Greene (b.1959), an American author
Overstayed Your Welcome (2019) by BATTS
artist, Facebook, lyrics, video, Wiki-2023 Australian music awards
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.
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