Retirement Talk
WHAT to do with the rest of your life? |
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Episode 098 “We are here to help you.”
The day before Mother’s Day; five-thirty in the afternoon
and our doorbell rang. It was our mail carrier, Eddie. He had a package in his
hands. “I thought you might want this before tomorrow,” he said. “I got done with my route and was all the way
downtown and then I found this in one of the bins - hiding. I thought;
“Brenda’s going to be so disappointed tomorrow if she doesn’t get this that I
had better go back.” His route was done. His day was done. His week was done.
He turned around and brought her the expected mother’s day gift. He’s a
government worker. And, he helps us.
This is Retirement Talk. I’m Del Lowery.
Most of us retired people know that the government helps us
every day. We get our social security checks monthly and we carry a Medicare
card everywhere we go. I’m trying to think of what life would be like without
either one. I envision a life that
doesn’t look nearly as good as the one we have. We retired folks are not
children. We know that none of us are so independent we don’t need help now and
then. We can admit to this. In days gone by we could depend on our children who
lived all around us. But in this day and age, they’re living from coast to
coast. Education and jobs demand mobility. The extended family has fragmented
and we take long plane rides to see our grandchildren.
The reason this is on my mind is because of an oft heard
assumption concerning the government and its relationship to each and every one
of us. There is a common assumption about government being a help to citizens
and it is all negative. Remember Ronald Regan’s famous words:
"The nine most terrifying words in the English
language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
Many people accepted it as true. And we have been paying the
price ever since.
My father-in-law died a few years ago at age 86. He
considered himself a ‘Roosevelt Democrat”. He had lived through the depression
on a farm in
Iowa
.
He always believed that the government had indeed helped him and every working
man in
America
.
He believed that the government had come to the rescue of the common man with
public works programs and social security. He always said that he didn’t know
what corporations had ever done for him. Their goal was always the same –
profits. If they ever helped the common man it was spinoff as they searched for
ways to maximize profits.
My experience has been similar. As a teacher, and government
employee, I tried to help students. Other teachers I knew did the same. The
budgets were always tight. Money was not wasted and the tax payer always got
more than what they were paying for. I’m sure some teachers worked harder than
others. I’m sure some were better at their profession than others. But, these
government workers did come to work and they did try to help.
Just two nights ago I attended a county council meeting that
was filled to overflowing with citizens. It looked like a long meeting. The
parks director was there because of three issues on the agenda. I took one look
at the crowd and decided I would go home and enjoy the evening. The following
day I called the parks director’s office at 9 in the morning. He was at his
desk. He had gotten home from the previous nights meeting at 11:45. That’s a
long day. I have been on several community committees involved in parks and
recreation at the city and county level; government workers. I have never seen
money wasted. I have never seen people who did not try to help. I'm always
amazed at the level of care, effort and good intentions that individuals have
extended.
I’m sure there are examples of when the government came and
didn’t help; Katrina is a case in point. Invading
Iraq
or torturing prisoners might
be two others. I can think of many things our government is doing right now
that I don’t believe help me. But for every single example of places where I
think government goes wrong I can think of many where government does indeed,
help. Just pause and imagine us without a government. Brute strength would
decide all issues. I’m not sure I’m strong enough to enjoy that. Not at my age.
We need government alright. It is just a matter of what kind
of government. It can help. Regan’s words turn the truth on its head. In fact,
the most terrifying words we could hear would be: “There is no government.
You’re on your own.”
This is Retirement Talk.
A resource from a listener: Best Free Online Degrees for Seniors guide is designed to assist seniors who aspire to enhance their intellect or consider starting a new career path. It features an overview of the top online degrees for seniors, emphasizing their numerous advantages, and a broad range of subjects to choose from.
A friend's website: Terra Firma Designs: Fine Furniture, Stained Glass and woodworking workshops.
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