America respects its older people. My Britain does not.

[billyskank]

I cannot say that this article is untrue.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/feb/10/longtermcare.liberaldemocrats

[KG]

1. my imppression is the opposite. considering how many elderly are warehoused

in extend care facilities, clearly america views its older people as a burden.


replicans like mccain because he is a rightwing wacko who's ready to bomb anyone, anytime, for any reason.

[EstimatedProphet]

2. We respect them so much we let them live on cat food.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

3. We don't respect our older people.

Wherever did you get an idea like that?
Duckie

[laylah]

4. You are kidding,

right, billy? I didn't read the article but your assumption caught my eye. This country does anything BUT respect its' older people! Trust me...not enough coffee in my bloodstream to go into details but I am sure other loungers will offer their thoughts.

On a happier note, I have that drawing you made of my kaghime a year or so ago, as my screen saver. Just found it again the other day so put it up. I can see her prettymous face every morning when I sign on. You did such a remarkable job. :hug:

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. The title comes from the article

It starts off by observing that Menzies Campbell, the ex-leader of the Lib Dems in the UK, was widely ridiculed as being too old at 66 (and was replaced by a 40 year old) - while McCain looks certain to be the Repub candidate at 71.

[graywarrior]

6. No way!

Old people are hated. I know. I live in Florida. I hate them. And I'm on the cusp of being one.

[Crazy Dave]

7. Not so sure about that

From my own personal experience in taking care of an elderly relative of mine there are almost punitive reasons for doing so as far as not having any tax breaks and considering their social security as part of my wife and I's combined household income.
Thankfully I know it's just the right thing to do and don't need or want any assistance. But for others who would prefer to take care of their aging parents rather than put them away it can be a financial problem and you cannot count on any help from the state or the feds. Like I mentioned above, you are literally punished for it.

[supernova]

8. I think it has to do with wealth

if you are wealthy, regardless of age, you can buy respect, the Presidency even, if you are old.

If you are not wealthy in this country or of some means, you are a nonentity. Sadly, too many elderly are poor. Less so than before Social Security was enacted, but still.

The only reason movie theatres and other buildings accommodate wheelchairs is because of the ADA. Now it's ingrained to a certain degree. No one thinks of building a public building anymore without thinking of ADA compliance.

edit: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

edit2: Menzies Campbell is only 66? Man, he looks older than dirt. I thought, watching him in PMQs, he looked like he was about 80. I'd be mad if I were in his shoes.

[Book Lover]

9. Only occasionally

After reading the whole article, I note that nearly all examples shown are actors. And sorry, but nobody I know, and that ranges from tenured academics to pimply teen fanboys, respects Harrison Ford, Sly Stone or Jack Nicholson per se. The columnist overreaches to make his point.

[Flaxbee]

10. horseshit

I haven't read the article; am not in the mood to be depressed even further as I struggle daily with my parent's care - but the premise is horseshit. The hoops we have to jump through to maintain my mother's benefits, plus a roof over her head, are ridiculous. My dad has a decent amount of social security $$ coming in, but the 'senior apartments' where he lives continue to jack up their rent, as if the majority of the tenants don't live on a fixed income. If you don't have financial resources in this country, whether young or old, you're kind of fucked. And those who suffer the most are the children and the elderly. Perhaps the US once spent money on helping its citizens, rich or poor, young and old, but nowadays the only place money is spent is the miliary, because those guys at Lockheed really need another multi-billion dollar contract.

[Zoigal]

11. Sorry, Billy

But i respectfully disagree with the article. And i am in the "old" category.
You definitely wouldn't want to be a poor elder person in the US. Fortunately
i have a wonderful family. z