i so disagree
with this article.
okay, not all of it: i do believe we shouldn’t sneer at people, even politicians, because of their age. and i know the older and the disabled get a bum deal in many ways, such as wheelchair access, which is still awful almost everywhere you go.
but america as some kind of nirvana for the elderly? i don’t buy it. i spent two weeks there in november, and the large number of over-70s i saw working really hard in the service industries (i doubt for the joy of it; most likely so they could eat) was really eye-opening, and a little bit heart-breaking, to me.
and, in other news, i have some problems with the probable end of the writers’ strike. am I the only one disappointed? the paltry DVD figure is unchanged and there’s no info about shows bought for iPods etc. the internet agreement is a step in the right direction, but worth calling an end to the strike for just that? it seems to me that the studios will still think they have won…
February 13, 2008
Di,
As for Nirvana for the elderly, you probably saw a very skewed sample in New York City…very expensive to live there (and vacation there, as you noted). A lot of of it depends on early income. Middle and upper class seem to have rather nice retirements, in my opinion.
NYC had the worst wheelchair access I have ever experienced. I could not believe they could get away with it but I think you can get away with anything in Manhattan.
February 13, 2008
I was also in Florida for a week, Suz, and it was almost as much of an issue there. One of the hotel workers was about 80, none of her own teeth, face sunk in, stooped over, very slow, etc. I’m *sure* she just likes working…
I’m sorry but the US healthcare system and the way the elderly are treated pisses me off! Grr. I’m not saying we’re heaps better but the most vulnerable do suffer. (& as someone with no ability to work through most of my 20s, I guess I’m quite sensitive about it…)
I could have done with a wheelchair in NY, so at least I know there’s no point regretting not having one I guess! You’re right, the attitude there is ‘You’re in New York - what more d’ya want?’ LOL.
February 14, 2008
Di, you have a good point there. Hotels are a good example of large groups of people who have long, extended working lives.
And, no, the healthcare system isn’t working, even for the young and disabled. My nephew is suffering from severe depression and can’t get the help he needs unless my brother bankrupts…what does that say? Jud’s father is getting “primo” treatment at Mayo in Phoenix and it has not been very good.
I imagine you have seen “Sicko.” Well done. True.
Most of my friends are for a health care system like yours. I wonder if it will happen in our lifetime.
Nice things were said about you on the Baker Board yesterday…