It isn’t the ages of Donald Trump and Joe Biden that concern this voter. It is the age of their ideas. Trump wants to return to the 1850s - the age of oppression. Biden wants to return to the 1950s - the age of FDR coalitions.

When Trump declares that our politicians are corrupt and dumb, he is correct. Trump himself, with his 34 felony convictions and other legal troubles, is proof. How dumb is it to have sex with a porn star then cover it up, or to illegally keep classified nuclear weapon documents as if they were his?

Biden’s faults are equally perplexing. Biden works for student loan cancellation, making fools of those who worked hard to pay off their loans over a long period of personal sacrifice. Also, Biden imposes tariffs on foreign goods to protect the few remaining American union workers. Remember North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) and the giant sucking sound that Ross Perot predicted we would hear as free trade agreements allowed manufacturing to move offshore?

Democrats have a deep bench of candidates versed in modern era issues, as do Republicans, but they are inhibited to run for office by our current political parties. God help America if either candidate wins, as the winner will divide us.

Walter Ludkte, Salem

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.