2007-02-20 01:03:06 · 7 answers · asked by Liz S 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
That's what happens in a socialist welfare state. When the government steps in an replaces family, then people start disregarding the elderly.
We saw that in France when tens of thousands of elderly died in one of the worst heat waves to hit in modern times. Most of the people were off on holiday, because everybody is off in August. They just assumed the government would take care of it, that it was government's job to care for the elderly.
This is why government should never replace family, nor should it act in the stead of family. Welfare makes family expendable. This is not a good thing.
2007-02-20 01:23:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I’m one of the writers for Gilbert Guide, the foremost resource for everything senior care, and I have to say, you bring up a great question. While many people have answered that elderly people are disrespected because they can no longer work, I’m going to challenge that assessment. (I actually think the opposite might be true; people sometimes think they need to be busy to be worthy but secretly resent the correlation.) People now retire at later ages because life expectancy is higher, and retirement funding is oftentimes not enough. No, I don’t think seniors are disrespected for producing less because this isn’t true across the board. I think it’s deeper than that.
We are a society fixated on image—even news anchor-women are airbrushed in magazines. The truth is: we all age. There’s no denying it (unless you’re Joan Rivers). No amount of botox or plastic surgery can prevent gravity from having at least some effect on the body. And this scares people. By categorizing seniors, with their declining health and physical deterioration, in a separate category, we as a society are able to separate ourselves from that reality.
2007-02-20 14:34:55 · answer #2 · answered by gilbert_guide 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Society is so cynical that the elderly are seen as a liability because they can no longer work. They are forced to retire even though many of them are healthy enough to carry on working because life expectancy and general health levels in advanced industrial countries have increased. Even so there is shameful underinvestment in dealing with the kind of health problems the elderly face.
Underlying this is the profit drive which means that anyone who can't work for reasons of health, old age or whatever is marginalised.
The elderly are forgotten, yet they worked for most of their lives, risked their lives fighting wars, raised children and made many other contributions to the world we live in today.
It seems this attitude is deeply embedded in our culture. It is that which needs to change.
2007-02-20 10:25:39 · answer #3 · answered by squeaky guinea pig 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good answer Java Jive! I totally agree. It's the money. This country only wants the healthy and the wealthy. "We the people" DO need to run our country again!
2007-02-20 09:13:38 · answer #4 · answered by Red Ant 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Come to Sun City AZ & see for yourself Can they drive? NO but they do anyway Some are just plain rude in stores & Restaurants Young folks hate them We are 53 & hope we won't be like that soon
2007-02-20 09:14:32 · answer #5 · answered by hobo 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
exactly, like i told you. this country is all about greed, money and power! everyone else has to scrap to survive that is the way it is. we need to get these rich politicians out of power and start voting in those from the middle to lower class. we need real people governing this country. "We the people....."
2007-02-20 09:08:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
OUTSTANDING QUESTION!
2007-02-20 09:14:18 · answer #7 · answered by Timothy B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋