Our seniors are our county’s greatest asset. The tragedy is that many young people do not see them for the treasure that they are.
Our older generation is the wisdom of our nation. They have worked, built business, immigrated from other lands, married, had kids, had grand kids and watched the world change around them. There is no greater earthly source of wisdom than experience.
To those who are in their retirement years, let me say: please speak up. We need the stories you tell and the lessons you learned. We need to know what you saw that worked, what did not work, and why. Please take the mantle of the responsibility of sharing your wisdom.
To those in their middle years, show your parents respect and your kids will respect them as well.
And to the younger generation (am I still in that group at 33?), you may think that you know, and your passion is essential for life, but make sure that you ask questions of those who have done it before you. They have learned more than a thing or two. If you don’t have a senior role model in your life, find one: an aunt or uncle, neighbor or friend of the family. We need their voice of experience.
Our seniors are so precious that I cringe at the idea of some on the far, far left that believe that lives have a monetary value, and seniors and babies are at the bottom of that list. Seniors often cost too much to keep alive and babies require many years of investment before they start producing in society. You can read all about the “Complete Lives System” here. It’s scary stuff. First of all, every human life is priceless. Second of all, the idea that a person’s value is based on their productivity is disgusting. But what happens, the authors argue, when there is a shortage of healthcare or funding for healthcare and care has to be rationed? Who do we pick to get the care?
I know, that’s just crazy “death panels” stuff, I am not saying that is what the Democrats want, only some loons.
What’s more disturbing is a college student that I saw interviewed during the education cuts protests here in Los Angeles. The student was asked what the government should cut to pay for education and he responded that the government should cut Medicare or Social Security because the seniors “had their turn” and it is the younger generation’s turn now.
Protect our seniors, they have the most to lose if the economy worsens and severe cuts must be made. We owe them the promises that were made. Younger generation, you may have to make some sacrifices to honor our commitments to our seniors. I am not counting on any of the $80,000 in SSI money I have paid over the years. I must take responsibility for my own retirement. But I can leave my children and my grandchildren a better, more free, more prosperous America, because that’s the sacrifice that the “greatest generation”, the WWII era, did for their kids and grandkids. That is a legacy: something that you leave on to future generations. Our seniors’ wisdom is their legacy. Let’s make sure we inherit it.
Jamie Bryant
Chris Perez
Where Red and Blue Americans Find Common Ground 
Great post Jamie. Unfortunately, OUR generation will not have a legacy to past on the next generation except for look how we screwed each other over self-entitlements. Unless we do somethings to change our current government by changes ourselves through God's help, America will become like the legend of Atlantis: A mythical place that thought to have once existed.
In many eastern countries, the seniors, also called elders are the most respected in society. "Their turn" comes in their later years when they are being taken care of by their children in a loving home and not by nursing staff in senior homes. Their wisdom is imparted to each succeeding generation and that is how many of these countries, communities or tribes preserve their culture. Unfortunately, in the West we do not feel the same about our elders and sadly it has helped lead us into a 'me culture' which in my opinion is a culture without integrity.Yes, we do have a lot to learn from our seniors who have seen it all (if they are willing to tell us about it) and we also have a lot to learn from other countries and cultures (good and bad). There's always something new to learn from somewhere and we must never stop because knowlege is power and power is one thing we don't want to be short of when facing our opposition.
You make a great point Milley. America can learn a lot from our immigrants too – and hopefully adopt those parts thier cultures that make them strong into out melting pot.
Waitwaitwait. I thought you were against socialism. Social Security and Medicare are the biggest ticket social spending programs we have. http://goo.gl/9uyjI thought that your social spending plan was to cut it from the Federal budget and have individuals fund it out of a sense of charity.I know I'm missing something. Can you explain what that is?
I was very inspired by this blog. Mostly because I must have done something right to have a daughter with sooo much wisdom! LOL (JEANNE. Jamie's MOM)
John – said that we made promises to our seniors and those nearing retirement that we have to keep. That's doesn't mean that entitlement programs aren't unsustainable as they are and don't need to be reformed for long term viability. We also as individuals have to make sure that we take care of our elders. As my friend pointed out above, many other cultures believe that their elders are cherished and should be well taken care of by their younger family members. We need that same mentality.
Ok, so … you _do_ want to reduce the benefits those programs pay out, or you don't?
To reiterate, we have a commitment to those relying on the programs in place. We must honor that. We have to protect those receiving or about to receive those promises. But the unsustainability of the programs as they stand has to be addressed for future generations. And it needs to be done yesterday. This is case of sticking our heads in the sand being the worst thing that we can do. And we have known that this day is coming for a long time.
And again, I'm unclear what position you're advocating. Keeping commitments while "addressing the unsustainability of the program" is vague. Are you talking about raising contributions? Raising retirement ages? Lowering benefits to those currently working, without lowering the tax?
Nothing yet? I don't blame you. It's a tough to be pragmatic and idealistic at the same time.
No need to be snarky. I have just been really busy (working 2 jobs now). Anyway, I don't have a detailed entitlement austerity plan. I don't have the time or expertise to be an expert in all the facets of possible solutions. But I have heard a lot of ideas thrown around like some of the ones that you mentioned, partial privitaization, etc. What I am saying is that we need to start having the courage to have the discussions, look at possible solutions and be honest about the fact that we have to make changes. One thing that nobody can argue is that the current plan is sustainable.