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Mar 20, 2004 Or maybe it is. It’s Friday, My friend Fred and I were having our weekly lunch at Kate’s Korner Kafe. Seated in the next booth were two couples discussing the ills of old age. They were comparing the cost of drugs purchased at Costco verses Sam’s Club. The conversation went on to the poor services available at the Local Senior Citizens Club. How social security wasn’t fulfilling their needs. There was a lot of talk about their health or lack of it. Do you realize how embarrassing it is to have to admit you’re not on any medication and you’ve never had an operation, we do. The whole thing sounded pretty miserable to us. My friend Fred and I are at an age when we should be thinking about old age. We’re not there yet but we know it’s coming. Fred’s 69, I’m 73, next month. We wondered why some older people are so miserable while others are so energized. Chronologically we probably belonged in the booth with those people. Mentally we belong in Panama City Florida with the kids at Spring Break. I have a friend who turns 69 this year. She’s a ball of fire, she’s always on the go. This women wears her teenage grandchildren out. I dare you to tell Christa she’s getting old. Most of our friends are much younger than we are. I suppose that’s not a good idea, we’re not preparing ourselves for the eventuality of old age. I’m sure when we get there we’ll have a major problem adjusting. Or maybe we won’t go. I don’t think there’s a law that says someone has to act old. My Uncle Frank, [ He was my Cowboy Uncle] still rode horses at age 90. I knew a fellow who was CEO of a National consumer products company, died in his office at his desk at age 94. I saw a PhD on TV still doing research at age 102. Makes you wonder doesn’t it. There’re people out there working who are in their 80’s and 90’s. They probably don’t bother to cash their social security checks. There are others who complain because they insist on retiring at 62 and have to take reduced benefits. For the past 70 years politicians have instilled in the publics mind the Government will take care of us. They gave us social security, Medicare, Housing assist, Free bus service. Discounts at retail business, Counseling etc. etc. There is no end to the services politicians will heap on senior citizens. Do you realize some politicians have actually become senior citizens while lobbying on behalf of senior citizens. There were politicians who made it a career saving social security from the day the original bill was signed. The likes of Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd come to mind. I know a lot of senior citizens are going to hate me for this. I wonder why it’s necessary to provide so much for them. I can think of other American who get less and gave a great deal more [Native Americans] What qualifies anyone to expect they have a right to be cared for by people they don’t even know. Why should the young couple down the street be required to support some old folks they never meet? I know some will say they worked hard all their lives and now they deserve something in return. They didn’t work any harder than that young couple down the street who will have to take care of themselves when they get old because the senior citizens of today spent it all. I’m not against social security I just happen to feel it’s been raided for political gain. The original intent has been decimated by political gimmy’s This isn’t really germane but it embarrasses me to ask for a seniors discount even at the movies. Politicians have been playing mind games with the public for years. They’ve convinced many they have an inherent right to government handouts. I’m not blaming the public. If you tell a cat he’s a dog long enough pretty soon he’ll start barking. I blame a political system that continually plays on the fears of the voters. The fear of war, the fear of old age, The fear of failure, The fear of living. The last politician I heard say “ YOU CAN DO IT “ was Ronald Reagan. The last Democrat I heard challenge the publics efforts was JFK when he said “ ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, RATHER WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY ” It seems America has lost men with these qualities. Perhaps even the world has lost them. Say Goodnight Gracie. ------------ About the Author: Ken Hughes is a retired businessman. A political junkie who's passion is the re-education of Liberals and Term Limits for Congress. He has had very little sucess at either. Email Ken Hughes: uncleken@sbcglobal.net Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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