Retirement Rant

One of the ads that just pisses me off is the ad where the “financial advisor” talks to the woman and asks ‘when do you want to retire?’ and she says ‘I don’t know, 78?’  Are you kidding me?  Who actually wants to work until they are 78 (unless you are in Congress and you hold on to your office with all the ferocity of a 2 year old with a candy bar)? 

Wouldn’t it make sense that as older workers retire, middle aged people move into those jobs, and leave the entry level jobs available for younger workers who are looking to gain experience and support themselves? 

We continually look for things to “fix” the problems faced by our youth.  The age when people can actually move out of their parents homes and support themselves keeps going up.  30 is the new 20 we are told.  So we send these new high school graduates to college, saddle them with huge debt, and then put them in a world where there are no jobs that will actually provide them a way to make a living and actually pay back that huge college debt.  So they are forced into living at home and delay their independence.  Do we really think they just enjoy living at home?  No I don’t think so.

Meanwhile we continue to move the retirement age, steal money from the social security system and keep these older workers in jobs that they really don’t want.  We stifle innovation because these older workers (and I am quickly becoming one) do not adapt to change as quickly as they once did.  So they try to hang on to status quo.  And if the company does move forward with changes and the older workers can’t keep up – they are quickly laid off and now are 55+ looking for a new job.  Most companies do not want to invest in an older worker, especially technology centric workforces.  So now these people who used to make $90K+ are looking for customer service jobs, entry level jobs that historically went to young people trying to gain experience and move up the ladder.  Do you see a problem here? 

It makes more sense to me to have workers retire at a better age while they are healthier and able to enjoy the retirement.  They can travel (spend $$), remodel their home (spend $$), buy a new car (spend $$) basically still live a life, and contribute to our national economy in a way other than just putting money into their medical bills.  

The younger crowd now has jobs to move into and start making more money which will contribute to the social security system and help keep it solvent.  And since they will now be making money they can move out of their parent’s homes, start families, and generally be moving forward instead of stuck in low paying service jobs.  And these jobs can now go back to what they have historically been – jobs for high school kids who are trying to make money.  People keep saying that we shouldn’t raise the minimum wage because these jobs aren’t meant to be permanent – but that is exactly what they have become.  There are people who work their whole careers in fast food places, because there are no other jobs.  Or they are back to working in fast food places because they are over 50 and can’t get a job in their field anymore due to age discrimination. 

Just my two cents. 

Musings

I know it's only 9AM but this is already where I'm at today.  Flu has me knocked off my game.  Had some coffee and that may not have been a great idea.  I really hate feeling so miserable, but then that kinda is the definition of the word miserable.


Turned on Morning Joe for a few minutes and now watching Stephanie Ruhle regarding the FB / Russia information.  And I'm surprised (but I guess I shouldn't be) by the people who seem to think this is new information.  Did people really think that it all just stopped after Trump got elected?    It wasn't that Russia wanted Trump - it was that they wanted the USA in chaos.  He was only one piece of the puzzle.  Think of it as a giant game of Jenga...yes Trump put a great big hole in the stability but all of the disinformation around him - and sowing all of the real "fake" news stories is what will finally destabilize us and bring us down. 


For a long time I've said that dystopian futures are closer everyday to happening.  And in all honesty I don't like to feel that way.  By nature I try to stay upbeat, centered, grounded.   I like to see the good in people, the beauty in the world.  I want to put on a beautiful piece of music and read a book, or sit and crochet while watching a good classic movie.  Go to a play, have a glass of wine with friends.  Watch videos of my beautiful grandchild as he learns about the world around him.


But I can't put my head in the sand and pretend that the things going on around us aren't really there.   Unfortunately not enough people are there yet.  People want to live in their little thought bubble and just imagine the world is just the way they want to see it.  We are in a week where the POTUS kicked a reporter out of a press event because he didn't like the questions she asked.   Where is the outrage among the public?  


Oh well - another day.   Maybe I'll write more musings later.

Wasted day

Today I have been down with the flu - really not feeling well.  I tried to watch a movie, watch some useless tv, do some laundry, even my go to activity and try to crochet.  But nothing helped - I really hate these wasted days.  I feel like you only have so many days to do things in your life and days like this, where I don't even want to get out of bed are just sad.

Sigh

Today is a ramble: 




Some days it just seems darker than other days.  I am trying to have hope that as a country we will find our way out of the woods that we seem to be lost in. 


Being kind and compassionate seems to have disappeared.  I can put blame on our countries leaders because they seem to have lost their ability to talk, compromise, be nice to each other.  But when I really get down to the bottom of it - it's all of our faults for accepting this behavior.  It's a slippery slope - someone runs a red light we let it go, when someone says something snarky we walk away.  And each time it's worse and worse until we get to the point that it's so very bad we start pushing back but as the pendulum swings wide we push back on anything and everything.   So now everything offends someone.   And everyone jumps on anyone who says anything because they can get away with calling it offensive and they feel very empowered to do so.  Even if the punishment doesn't fit the crime. 


What we have yet to learn as a society is that sometimes when people wish for things to go back to the good old days - it isn't about putting women back in the kitchen, or putting people of color at the back of the bus.  Sometimes its just about going back to being nice to each other,  putting down your cell phone and having a conversation.  Get out of your influence bubble and actually engage with others.  Women aren't returning to the kitchen, people of color aren't going to go away.  Their rights are just the same as your rights.  You cannot impose your will on them, and they cannot impose theirs on you. 


We have to be able to come to an understanding that people are equals - and that your beliefs may not be the same as someone else's.  But they are entitled to their beliefs the same as you are entitled to yours.  You can have a conversation with people who are different than you - you don't have to shout.  You may not change their minds and they may not change yours...but you may have a better understanding of why they think the way they do. 


Smile at someone today...do something nice for someone today.  Have a conversation with someone different than you.   We only have one planet. 

Wild?

I posted this image on FaceBook earlier today because I loved the sentiment it presented.  I've always been a little bit of a free spirit and more than a little stubborn.  I'm not sure I qualify outwardly as "wild" anymore.   But there is definitely still a wild child somewhere inside me.  Age and arthritis have tempered it somewhat. 

Political Rant ahead:  I saw an article online today about our Attorney General smiling and laughing at a young leadership convention where the kids all started chanting "Lock Her Up".  It made me absolutely sick - and I don't mean metaphorically.  I actually felt sick to my stomach and my head started hurting.  I wondered about the people in Germany who were watching their country descend into madness and wondered how powerless did they feel while they watched?  These are children - and they have been indoctrinated - you will never convince me that the Trump regime (his word not mine) is not a cult.  His "base" could just as easily be called his "followers" or his "bretheren".  They believe anything that comes out of his mouth even when presented with facts.  And that is horrible if you are an adult but FFS these are CHILDREN!   This should be listed as abuse just the same as any other mental abuse. 

I think I need to go sit somewhere quiet and just try and meditate - it's been so hard to find peace since this administration. 



Reboot

Let's try this again:

When you last heard from me things were very different.  I've moved three times - changed jobs twice, made new friends, lost some old friends.

Ranted about politics - felt helpless.   Marched and protested - felt empowered.

I am going to try and work from a place of empowerment.

A friend recently was musing about starting a blog and it made me realize how long I had neglected mine.  I can give all kinds of excuses, I was in a bad place emotionally (true), I was lazy (also true), I was too busy (very true). 

But this blog is more of a way for me to blast out my emotions, my thoughts, my ravings - sometimes it is funny, sometimes it's not.  But it helps me clear my head and show me the way to go forward.

If you read it I hope you enjoy it.  If you don't how would I even know?

:)

Maybe I will put a reminder on my calendar so I can update this more often.  hmmm?  it's a start.

What I am thankful for...2013 version.

So as Thanksgiving approaches I take the time like most Americans to reflect on what I am thankful for.

 I am thankful for my family, and will again miss Jeffrey and Jessica very much.   But I know they are healthy and safe and will have good Thanksgivings where they are.

We have had quite a year; some health issues with family members but those things seem to have been taken care of, or are being taken care of and this makes us all very thankful.

We got to do some travelling this year; in March we went to Chicago to see Jeffrey’s graduation from basic training.  This was especially wonderful (other than the cold and snow!) because it was the first time in a couple that I got to see all my kids at the same time.  And we were very lucky because Dad came over from Iowa to join us too.  It was wonderful, very proud of him.   In May I got to fly up and spend a week with Dad, and then again August, Shelli and I went up and spent a week with Dad (Picked up Jayson), and then another quick impromptu trip in September when Dad had gallbladder surgery.   (So glad he came through that relatively unscathed  J )  In October we went on a cruise with Jay and Shelli – 8 wonderful days in the Caribbean.  I warned everyone at work that I may just find an island and stay, it was a distinct possibility!

I’m very thankful that as parents we seem to have raised wonderful, well balanced, accepting kids who are adults that make us proud.   At breakfast with Jay and Shelli the other day the comment was made that we have raised our children correctly, and I believe this is true.  They are all moving forward in their lives toward their goals.  While sometimes they may have questions, they still go take chances.  We welcomed Pablo officially into the family this year with his and Mandi’s marriage!  HOORAY!  Looking forward to Jess and Adam’s wedding which will be here quicker than we can imagine.  Cameron’s college is progressing well it’s fun to hear the geekspeak every so often in our house.  And even though he was born last he certainly isn’t least – Jayson is growing into a fun young adult that I enjoy talking to and spending time with. 

This year when Shelli and I went to Iowa for our visit we were so very lucky to get there in time for the Price family reunion!  We got to see our Aunt and Uncles and so very many of our cousins…it has been YEARS since we got to spend time together and it was wonderful, so very much fun.  Great memories and I hope it won’t be so long next time. 

I can’t even begin to express my thankfulness for my friends; they are all such a big part of my life.  I cannot imagine not being able to share my sarcasm with them.   I love them all they make my family a big beautiful world.  This year brought weddings, parties, visits, whispered conversations, tears, fears, and laughter,  LOTS of laughter.   I am grateful that I can lean on them all and that when I am needed I can be the one leaned on.

And I am so very thankful that I live in a country that I can feel free to state my opinions without fear of my government’s repercussion. That I am working and have a roof over my head and that all of my family is also clothed, housed, and fed. I am thankful that when we sit down to our Thanksgiving feast I know the food will be wonderful and plentiful. And I wish that everyone could also have this joy.

 And finally I am happy if any of my friends or family took the time to read my long, self serving ramblings of what I am thankful for this year.

 Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I love you all!