In this age of political correctness (an inhibition of the truth) and multiple accusations of discrimination, there was a curious event that happened a few years ago.

My office was near Lewiston High School and I usually hired a high school person to come after school to help with filing and other office duties. When I tried to advertise for a high school person to apply for the job, I was informed by the Sun Journal that the ad was age-discriminatory and it was illegal to print it with that qualification.

My thoughts now come to our laws and Constitution (with tongue in cheek).

Is it age discriminatory to require a person to be 16 to have a driver’s license, to be 18 to vote, to be 21 to buy alcohol, to be 25 to be a representative in Congress, to be 30 to be a U.S. senator, or to be 35 to be president?

Is our Constitution unconstitutional with all of this age discrimination?

These age limits have worked reasonably well, and I do not propose to change them. However, there seems to be an inconsistency in the laws when the  Constitution and laws can name qualifying ages and private citizens cannot.

Thomas F. Shields, Auburn

Editor’s note: The Sun Journal does not list age-specific advertisements upon the advice and recommended guidelines of the Maine Department of Labor.