New Seniors

Based on the current rhetoric, Medicare has become “Mediscare,” but neither political party seems to let the truth get in the way of their agendas. Those of us 65+ have a vested interest in the effects of health care reform, as do citizens of all ages. The problem is Medicare has already been targeted cuts of $500 billion, which few talk about.

It’s been a long 235 years since a group of early American’s risked their livelihoods, their possessions and their very lives when the Founding Fathers signed The Declaration of Independence. These were our first heroes and we learned about their courage through American History lessons beginning in the elementary grades all the way through high school. They put everything on the line for freedom. Have we become so blasé that freedom no longer has the meaning it once had?

The latest cause the environmentalists are trying to foist on the American public is to ban fireworks displays on July 4th. There was a suit brought to court in San Diego recently seeking to accomplish this, but a judge ordered a reprieve. So the people of that city will be able to enjoy fireworks, at least for this year. Will such efforts succeed in this city and throughout the country next year?

The talk these days is concentrated on Medicare and Social Security and how changes will affect the New Seniors population. We must not forget the other end of the age spectrum: our youngsters. They have no voice in the political debate and no dollars in the game, but what we are doing to them will have long lasting consequences.

While the United States government is willing to forgive foreign countries from billions of dollars in debts and continue to barrow money from China or print more in order to loan money to Middle East nations, more and more Americans are slipping into financial despair. One can’t help but wonder if the politicians have their priorities mixed up.

We learned from our parents that, “money doesn’t grow on trees.” That’s because those of us born between 1930 and 1945 were raised during the Great Depression followed by a period of sacrifice during WWII. Along with the baby boomers now turning 65, we were taught that America never had to endure such dire times again as long as we worked hard and “saved for a rainy day.” The clichés seem old now, but their messages remain true.

Did you hear about the impetuous high school senior who hung his invitation to attend the prom on the school wall and got in trouble? The girl said yes to the date, and the principal said no to the prom but later reversed her decision. There is a lesson we can learn from this story that has been boosted by media and social network publicity.

Mark Twain once said, “Everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it.” A recent poll indicates that most Americans (51%) attribute weather conditions to long-term planetary trends while only 19% point the finger to human activity. But you can bet this won’t stop the debate about who really is to blame.

A project funded by the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) is photographing student lunch trays before and after kids eat to determine how many calories each child consumes. Will this be a big help that leads to healthier children or is it a step toward more big brother involvement in the lives of all Americans?

Dreams, seeded with a dose of reality begrudgingly gained through life’s experiences, eventually lead to the establishment of goals that drove this man’s life throughout the years. Now, a few months away from my 75th birthday, I can step back and evaluate what I’ve accomplished and what is yet to be achieved.