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Certainly not a new topic, but the latest article on the sobering reality facing many older Americans and those about to join that demographic in the future.
Our country doesn't value old age, instead it considers them washed up and left to fend for themselves in favor of youth.
Richard Dever had swabbed the campground shower stalls and emptied 20 garbage cans, and now he climbed slowly onto a John Deere mower to cut a couple acres of grass.
“I’m going to work until I die, if I can, because I need the money,” said Dever, 74, who drove 1,400 miles to this Maine campground from his home in Indiana to take a temporary job that pays $10 an hour.
You got that right. But that isn't the real problem, because let's face it, older people cannot do what younger people can do (typically). At least not physically. I think the problem is deeper than "doesn't value." The real problem is that people do not even respect old age--they are often almost repulsed by it. They generally are callous and hostile to older folks, especially those who are not physically able to do what they used to. The only little tidbit of revenge is karma: one day they will be in the exact same boat (if they don't die young). Then they will live with the ghosts of their past behaviors.
There is so much caterwauling these days about "-isms." Racism, sexism, etc. All the while, the elderly are probably the most abused segment of the population.
I don't see ever retiring. Between high and ever increasing property taxes and worries about health care expenses... how can anyone ever save enough for retirement?
The guy drove 1400 miles for a temporary $10 an hour job? That doesn't make any sense and the daily commute must be killing him..?
There are cases where older people want to keep working and there are cases where they have to.
I know older people that lost a bundle in the recession and they are still working. I know others that work because they cannot afford health insurance.
Still there are others who made terrible choices throughout their lives and they have nothing to fall back on in their old age so they have to keep working.
There is a real problem in this country that people are ignoring, there are too many people and not enough jobs but we continue to support and embrace illegal aliens by the millions. What is going to happen to that guy cleaning up the campground for $10 an hour when a illegal alien that was just given amnesty comes along and is willing to do the work for $9 ?
What could possibly go wrong ?
He had a whole lifetime to save for retirement. No sympathy here.
How long have you known this guy? How do you know he didn't do the best he could. Not everyone was born into privilege and not everyone is overpaid. And if everyone " got more education" then MORE would be skilled and suddenly your overpaid job doesn't overpay you anymore. Try actually earning your pay before spouting platitudes!
The guy drove 1400 miles for a temporary $10 an hour job? That doesn't make any sense and the daily commute must be killing him..?
He's probably living for free at the campground, and saving by not having to pay rent in Indiana or... he normally lives with one of his adult children, so they get a vacation from him staying with them during his time working in Maine.
Actually, I would also be bored to death retiring completely. And it's not as if I would be taking a job away from a younger person. At my current job, I am still one of the top performers. None of the younger people can hold a candle to what I do... they don't have my work ethic and don't care about the quality of their work.
The elderly tend to vote Republican. They brought it on themselves.
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