New Seniors

If you’re one of those people who think we have elections too often in this country and think the system is a creation of the modern political parties, think again. The basis for the government and how we elect our representatives was conceived by our Founding Fathers. They wanted to be sure their could be a peaceful people’s revolution every two years. And, it’s worked pretty well for over two centuries.

Attending something as simple as a football game can help you forget about your troubles and provide a feeling of connection, if only for a few hours. Joining with other fans in supporting a common cause works wonders for whatever worries might be on your mind. Sure a movie is a way to escape and showing up at a political rally can be exciting. But for no-questions-asked acceptance by people you don’t even know, it’s hard to beat being part of the community of fans.

Armistice Day celebrated the end of World War I in 1918 and was the predecessor to Veterans Day. The fighting on the Western Front ended at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. This peace was ratified in the Treaty of Versailles the following year. The day was set aside to honor those who fought in “the war to end all wars,” particularly those who died.

No matter who voted for whom, there’s plenty of work to do for you and the entire New Seniors community in the weeks and months ahead. Getting the country’s attitude back on track and allowing cooler heads to prevail is the job of everyone, not just the politicians. Unity, civility and an appreciation for the values that made America great are necessary ingredients to ignite our rebound.

Americans consider themselves more informed compared to 10 years ago. According to a recent Rasmussen Poll, that’s how 67% of respondents feel. Although, as might be expected, the source for news and information varies greatly by age as well as other demographics. What does this mean now and in the future?

First, few people know the definition of pre-boomers. It is those of us born between 1930 and 1945, from the beginning of the Great Depression through the end of World War II. Second, no one seems to know how many pre-boomers there are. The latest estimate is more than 30 million, which is three times more than the rest of those over 65. And last, what’s unique about the pre-boomers? As a sandwich generation, we are the bridge between the so-called Greatest Generation to the Baby Boomers.

The closer it gets to the midterm elections, the more it appears as if the representatives in Washington are paying less attention to what’s good for the people of this nation and placing greater emphasis on holding on to their jobs, and ultimately their power. Otherwise, these professional politicians will have to resort to finding a real job or become a lobbyist, after the legal waiting period, so they can influence those taking their place. That’s the way the system works.

Political labels may play a bigger role in the upcoming midterm elections than party affiliations. Many people have put those running for political office under the proverbial magnifying glass to determine what the politicians stand for rather than what party banner they may carry. Will this kind of scrutiny affect the way people actually vote or in the end is having a “D” or “R” behind the candidate’s name still the deciding factor?

The news just came that my next door neighbor has passed away. He was ill for only a short time; and, I’m told, the end came quickly and peacefully. We have been living near to each other for a number of years, but we were not close – just neighbors. A friendly hello when we bumped into each other, a casual wave as our cars passed each other on the street and a phone call to the other one whenever we planned to be away on vacation was the extent of our contact. Yet we had a mutual concern and responsibility to be sure everything was okay with each other. I’d call that neighborly.

The Greatest Generation is leaving us at an ever increasing rate. So, even if we’re not totally prepared, the torch is being passed to the Pre-boomers (those born between 1930 and 1945) – now known as New Seniors. Beginning next year, boomers turning 65 will be big news. With this passage to New Senior status comes a new responsibility: to be of service.