I'm 63 and I'm Tired

ksech

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This is one of those email things. I don't normally post these types of things, but this one kind of reached out and made some sense...

"I'm 63 and I'm Tired"
by Robert A. Hall



I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked hard since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.


I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.


I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought McMansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.


I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe , the freedom of the press of China , the crime and violence of Mexico , the tolerance for Christian people of Iran , and the freedom of speech of Venezuela ....


I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.

I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.

I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government. Like Bill Cosby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's fabulous and everything he says makes sense! Why doesn't someone convince HIM to run!

I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America , while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay, but I #@*# sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.

I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"? And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those are the citizens we need.

I'm tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.

I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois , where the " Illinois Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years. Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.

Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.

I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.

Yes, I'm tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.


Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate. Robert A. Hall is the actor who plays the coroner on CSI if you watch that show.


I did like his comment about Bill Cosby...
 
cue up bbkpoker for his/her retaliation to this letter.....Im sure its coming - anything against liberalism/socialism on this board has been combatted by him/her.
 
The trouble is some 'lazy people' are living off the earnings from the hardworking class. Taxes are paid by some but many unashamedly dont work and seek welfare assistance. We have had these people using social assistance to go on lavish vacations. I dont usually work hard (only 8 hours daily) but really put my mind into action when the going gets tough and get hopping mad with people who dont do their share of work. In fact, just had a row with a colleague yesterday.

Meanwhile is '63' somewhat related to a song I listened to when I was young ie 'Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I am 64'. Please enlighten me.
 
Regardless whoever actually wrote that e-mail, the different points being made within should be obvious to most that live in the United States. Yet, we should also remember that all these different issues took decades to develop. It also took several different presidents, along with all the different elected politicians throughout the past years that eventually directed this country into its present condition.

It doesn’t matter which politicians had a bigger part in this wrong direction, as long as we take action for corrections by learning from our past mistakes.

What frightens me more then the facts in that e-mail is the actual amount of registered voters (who actually vote) that refuse to recognize these issues and for some unknown phenomenon think everything is fine.

I also believe the crux of the whole problem is the actual candidates we seem to be limited to vote for, being forced to choose and settle for whoever decides to showcase.

Great leaders are far and few between, and we are certainly suffering a serious drought. We better find one soon since we’re running out of time. As it is, if we immediately started to do things right we would still need a good decade just to get back on track.

With the different political parties, along with all the different media’s that actually endlessly argue the complete opposite confusing anyone that’s listening is another scary thing. I understand how a democracy works, and arguments with different and valid points are necessary for a successful democracy. But our government has been in complete chaos for a long time and when next year comes the only thing we could count on is it’ll be worse then this year.

We need a special leader and I certainly don’t see one on the list for the next election. Since we have to settle for whoever is in the pool we all better hope we don’t get mislead and screw up again.

We’re running out of time…
 
Regardless whoever actually wrote that e-mail, the different points being made within should be obvious to most that live in the United States. Yet, we should also remember that all these different issues took decades to develop. It also took several different presidents, along with all the different elected politicians throughout the past years that eventually directed this country into its present condition.

It doesn’t matter which politicians had a bigger part in this wrong direction, as long as we take action for corrections by learning from our past mistakes.

What frightens me more then the facts in that e-mail is the actual amount of registered voters (who actually vote) that refuse to recognize these issues and for some unknown phenomenon think everything is fine.

I also believe the crux of the whole problem is the actual candidates we seem to be limited to vote for, being forced to choose and settle for whoever decides to showcase.

Great leaders are far and few between, and we are certainly suffering a serious drought. We better find one soon since we’re running out of time. As it is, if we immediately started to do things right we would still need a good decade just to get back on track.

With the different political parties, along with all the different media’s that actually endlessly argue the complete opposite confusing anyone that’s listening is another scary thing. I understand how a democracy works, and arguments with different and valid points are necessary for a successful democracy. But our government has been in complete chaos for a long time and when next year comes the only thing we could count on is it’ll be worse then this year.

We need a special leader and I certainly don’t see one on the list for the next election. Since we have to settle for whoever is in the pool we all better hope we don’t get mislead and screw up again.

We’re running out of time…

Very good post.
 
Good post, 4oaks!

For what it's worth I don't believe this is a problem confined to the United States - government overspending and too much intrusion into the private lives of citizens appears to have grown everywhere. The ordinary taxpayer increasingly besieged by political profligacy is having to work longer before enjoying the privelege of retirement...and even then those who have been responsible by preparing for the supposedly golden years are being hammered by the taxman.

Inspired and accountable political leadership is a commodity in short supply almost everywhere, it appears to me. And as 4oaks points out in his bipartisan post, this is not a weakness confined to any particular party - the international political establishment in general often appears lacking in morals and wisdom, and concerned more with re-election than real governance.

Thankfully in a democracy that can be changed, but the party political system serves up limited choices these days.

Just a reminder - this is the attic, where CM members are permitted to exchange often opposing views and concerns on just about anything provided it's all kept cool and civil - you don't have to frequent the place or read particular threads if you're "tired" of the subject matter:D
 
I'm a big fan of the daily show.. and I do like to read.

I find it strange that liberals are the left wing of the US, and the right wing in my country..
To me as a foreigner the republicans seem completely mental, and if I try to understand why people would still vote for them it probably must be cause they only have 2 choices.
I just can't understand why people allow the taxes to be this low for the rich and at the same time have the whole country go to $%#@
 
I'm a big fan of the daily show.. and I do like to read.

I find it strange that liberals are the left wing of the US, and the right wing in my country..
To me as a foreigner the republicans seem completely mental, and if I try to understand why people would still vote for them it probably must be cause they only have 2 choices.
I just can't understand why people allow the taxes to be this low for the rich and at the same time have the whole country go to $%#@

The Rich in America pay most of the taxes. How is it low? 50% of the population pay zero net taxes. The top 1% pay more than the bottom 90% combined.

What is absolutely amazing is that people think that if you earn money you should have to give it to everyone else. What is even more amazing is that people keep voting for the politicians that promise to spend more and have even bigger govt.....Govt isn't the solution to anything. It is the problem of most everything. Lower govt. spending and interference is what is needed yet many sheeple continue to vote for the politician that promises to steal from one person and give it to them. It is absurd. Hence, we have the issues that are plaguing us during this current administration.
 
bigger government? ehm how about lowering your debts..
the tax level for the richest is much lower than most countries, even those who don't have debts..
and lol, I think your last administration added the most to your debts. Added the most and lowered the revenue the most..
sigh... republicans, tax cuts for the rich and start wars, while blaming poor people for their lavish vacations :what:
 
bigger government? ehm how about lowering your debts..
the tax level for the richest is much lower than most countries, even those who don't have debts..
and lol, I think your last administration added the most to your debts. Added the most and lowered the revenue the most..
sigh... republicans, tax cuts for the rich and start wars, while blaming poor people for their lavish vacations :what:

The problem isnt revenue... its spending. If govt. would be just a little bit reserved and cut the ridiculous social spending that the writer of this email loathed then we wouldn't have need for more "revenue" as you put it.

Revenue is another word for taking a man's money. You want to increase revenue for the spending? How about cutting spending to fit your revenue??? Thats what needs done and i am not talking about obvious spending like defense and such, I am talking about social programs that take from one man forcefully and gives to another. Roadways, defense and that sort of thing benefit everyone. social spending is redistribution of wealth and vote buying. It is harmful and creates a class of people that are totally dependent and leach off of others earnings.... tax "CUTS" for the rich??? They are already paying more than their fair share.
 
The problem isnt revenue... its spending. If govt. would be just a little bit reserved and cut the ridiculous social spending that the writer of this email loathed then we wouldn't have need for more "revenue" as you put it.

Revenue is another word for taking a man's money. You want to increase revenue for the spending? How about cutting spending to fit your revenue??? Thats what needs done and i am not talking about obvious spending like defense and such, I am talking about social programs that take from one man forcefully and gives to another. Roadways, defense and that sort of thing benefit everyone. social spending is redistribution of wealth and vote buying. It is harmful and creates a class of people that are totally dependent and leach off of others earnings.... tax "CUTS" for the rich??? They are already paying more than their fair share.

Most of your posts on this topic have a central theme revolving around your resentment of anyone else deriving benefit from your money, and hence you advocate cutting social spending.

You're obviously entitled to your opinion, but I feel you generalize way too much about people who are supported by such programs. Not all of them are lazy no-hopers who buy plasma TVs and eat take away every night along with copious amounts of cigarettes and alcohol. Many people are desperately in need through no fault of their own.

My questions for you are:

1. Why do you think defence spending a higher priority than caring for a population?

2. People living on the edge currently will be pushed over that edge by your proposed cuts. What are these people to do?

3. What is your idea of a fair tax system?

4. Do you think if the US concentrated on running one country instead of three as it pretty much does currently, it would not be in the mess it is now?
 
"How about cutting spending to fit your revenue???" Greasemonkey asks, and I concur.

That's what the poor bloody taxpayer has to do; in other words governments need to cut their cloth to suit their purse and reduce borrowing.

Politicians almost everywhere have amassed truly frightening levels of national debt, but seem unfazed by the consequences.

Hiking taxes has become almost a knee jerk reaction, continually hammering people who in general work long and hard for their money.
 
Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate. Robert A. Hall is the actor who plays the coroner on CSI if you watch that show.

The author is most probably not the actor, this is what I found at
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"Analysis: This viral op-ed piece was authored by retired U.S. Marine and former Massachusetts state senator Robert A. Hall, who published it on his blog on Feb. 19, 2009.

The forwarded text incorrectly identifies Sen. Hall as the actor who plays the coroner on the CBS television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. That actor's name is Robert David Hall."
 
Thank you janek12:thumbsup: I stand corrected, as I said it was sent in and email, and I don't normally post this type of thing...

On a personal level, I recently had to swallow my pride and make a visit to my local Social Services department to see if I could get some type of help (food stamps, HEAP (helps with electric bill) or whatever was available) since I have only been able to work 2 days a week since May. No work from the end of February to the end of May (when I had my stroke). I've exhausted all of my savings and have closed out both of my retirement plans. I'm taking home about $128/week, but I can't receive any social service help because I am making too much money for a single person. I've never collected any disability (but have paid in for 32 years), but I'm not eligible for that either because I'm currently trying to work 2 days a week. So, please tell me where the system works?

My hard earned tax dollars aren't helping me in my time of need, but some lazy 20 year old something with 2 kids who has never worked a day in her life gets ALL the creature comforts. WTF is wrong with this picture!!!!
 
Most of your posts on this topic have a central theme revolving around your resentment of anyone else deriving benefit from your money, and hence you advocate cutting social spending.

Many people are desperately in need through no fault of their own.
For ANYONE desperately in need there has seemingly ALWAYS been homeless shelters, soup kitchens, Women's shelters, family shelters....etc. Of course, that is my definition of DESPERATELY. Desperately is if you are hungry and need food/shelter and possibly clothing to get by. If your definition of DESPERATELY is perhaps that your mcmansion may be foreclosed or you cannot afford your car payment or even if it is that you will have to do without air conditioning or cable TV or cell phone usage then we have a big difference of opinion. Those things are not desperation, they are luxuries that are not needed. Most "POOR" in America have some or all of these things. I didn't have them when I was young and certainly wasn't DESPERATE. Nor are they.

My questions for you are:

1. Why do you think defence spending a higher priority than caring for a population?

This seems like a nonsenical question. If you cannot protect your borders or your population than how could you possibly "care for them" in the first place??? They must be safe from foreign threat first. Secondly, what is it that you mean by "care for them"? If it is cradle to grave entitelments then that is not caring for them, that is appeasing them. Making them worse than if you just gave them the freedom to succeed or fail on their own accord. I am not against basic safety nets. I am against entitlements. I am against living as comfortably and nicely as the person that is being extorted in order for you to live that way. I don't want anyone starving but I also don't see how they could have luxuries in their lives that they are not gaining by their own efforts but by having it stolen from another citizen. SURE, give food and shelter but just the basics. We go way overboard. We have obese poor people. The definition of poor keeps changing and it has become absurd.

2. People living on the edge currently will be pushed over that edge by your proposed cuts. What are these people to do?

Please verify your statement. What people? Which edge? Your scenario needs direct numbers/circumstances. Currently, unless you are mentally disabled it is almost impossible to starve or go without shelter here.

3. What is your idea of a fair tax system?

A fair tax system would be one that doesn't punish success nor punish prudent decisions. Like the marriage penalty, or being taxed more because you have less children or being rewarded for having more children....et al.
What would be most fair is for there to just be a consumption tax with no exceptions or loopholes. EVERYTHING purchased is taxed. From a loaf of bread to a yacht. A consumption tax is totally fair and the "rich" would still pay the lions share. More money would be taxable as people like drug dealers would actually be taxed every time they bought something. It would allow the govt to cut the IRS staff dramatically. It would stop the average citizen from having to hire a professional just to file taxes. It would not allow any loop hole to any person or company and would be FAIR. It would be totally taxing consumption and not production. No more punishing success directly.


4. Do you think if the US concentrated on running one country instead of three as it pretty much does currently, it would not be in the mess it is now?
This is a silly question. A similar question would be something like "Do you think if you stopped beating your wife now as you pretty much currently do that she may forgive you"? You have to give a direct question. Give an example, name the country and what affairs you believe the USA to be sticking their nose in.. etc. You cannot simply set a parameter in your question and expect it to be accepted as fact to base an answer on.


A few questions for you:

1. Do you think that governments should base their spending on how much taxes are brought in or do you think that the government should determine how much taxes are needed based on their spending?

2. Do you believe all humans should have an equal opportunity to succeed or fail based on their individual ability, intellect and work ethic? Or, do you believe all humans should have equal outcomes regardless of their ability, intellect or work ethic, and the government should redistribute the wealth of those who succeed to those who don’t in order to level the playing field? Please explain why you feel the way you do.

3. Do you believe that every person should be naturally born with rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Or, do you believe our rights come from government?

4. Do you believe the money you earn from your job or business belongs to you, as well as the property you buy with the money you earn? Or, do you believe the government has the right to your money and property?

5. Do you believe that as long as you earn your money honestly and break no laws, there should be no limit on the amount of money you make? Or, do you believe like our President (Obama) who said, “at some point, you’ve made enough money?” . If so what amount would you set the limit at? Would you punish the person by taking higher and higher % of the income the more they made? What do you suppose would be the motivation of the person to continue to grow their business and create jobs if you kept confiscating more and more as they made more?
 
bigger government? ehm how about lowering your debts..
the tax level for the richest is much lower than most countries, even those who don't have debts..
and lol, I think your last administration added the most to your debts. Added the most and lowered the revenue the most..
sigh... republicans, tax cuts for the rich and start wars, while blaming poor people for their lavish vacations :what:

I have to agree with this one. The root of all evil is greed, of course, but it's in everyone of us, republicans and democrats alike. But the financial crisis has most definitely not been caused by 'poor people and their lavish vacations' (from welfare). This is Greed with a capital G from those in key positions, bankers, CEOs, and the little man has to pay for it, big time. That's what makes me tired.
 
I have to agree with this one. The root of all evil is greed, of course, but it's in everyone of us, republicans and democrats alike. But the financial crisis has most definitely not been caused by 'poor people and their lavish vacations' (from welfare). This is Greed with a capital G from those in key positions, bankers, CEOs, and the little man has to pay for it, big time. That's what makes me tired.


This is interesting. I have not heard this side of it really.
How so does the little man have to pay for it?
How have wealthy people created it? (some have surely contributed no doubt, especially in the banking industry but was that the CAUSE of it?)
Are you sure that Government spending and borrowing isn't the cause of it?
Poor people directly did not cause it of course, but don't you think perhaps that the massive govt. social spending HAS caused it to a large degree? Don't you think if we cut some of this spending rather than raised taxes it would help immensely to alleviate our debt problem? don't you think less spending is the best way out of debt rather than more spending and more taxes?
 

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