(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
 . . . . . . . . . .



Aging in America. [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2023-08-04  

I’m one of the old men in Florida. Several folks have recently expressed interest in what’s happening in the Sunshine State and, for some reason, attention has focused on the elders.

Something that looks like fascism or “semi-fascism” is developing in the Sunshine State. Resistance movements have appeared in different places. Old people are involved.

Yesterday (August 3) was Maggie Kuhn’s birthday. She was one of the founders of the Gray Panthers back in the 1970s. Maggie died in 1995 but her vision continues in a new century. In part, because the baby boomers have moved into their senior years. Aging hippies, with veterans of the anti-racism and LGBTQ plus movements, plus senior feminists, disability rights activists, and others, are active in different projects. They’ve been joined by elders who are new to politics.

What’s the message? Maggie Kuhn said: “We want everybody to look forward to aging.” For some people, aging is delightful, and you’ll see some of these old folks in television commercials. For others, aging can be a terrifying experience. Despite some reports, the COVID problem continues, especially in nursing homes and in other places where fragile people are crowded together. Old people are on the frontlines for the COVID crisis. Senior citizens are also on the frontlines for climate change. Most of the hospitalizations and deaths during extreme weather are for people past the age of sixty. And there are some other problems that should be mentioned.

Aging isn’t a problem. The problem is fascism and dog-eat-dog economics.

For fascists, individuals have “worth” that’s measured by productivity and by consumer spending. If you’re rich, or if you can work in the marketplace, you have "”worth.” If you don’t have a job, and if you’re not spending lots of money, and if career opportunities are closed, the corporate state will tell you that you’re a “problem.” You’ll be told that you’re a burden on the national economy.

In Congress, politicians are trying to destroy Social Security and programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The government-supported food assistance programs that help elders are under attack. In Florida and in other states, voter suppression efforts hurt older Americans and young adults with disabilities. Voter registration has become more difficult (the digital divide is part of the problem) and there are new barriers that cause difficulties on Election Day.

Still, in some ways, Florida is ahead of many states. In Florida, most people understand that the population is aging. The “graying of America” is acknowledged. In some of the “progressive” and “hip” cities in the North, the aging of America is seldom mentioned. Maybe it’s an embarrassment. "”Liberals” tell the old folks to move to Arizona or Florida. Expect some surprises when you get to the Sunbelt states. Old saying in the Conch Republic: “In this place, you’ve got to resist if you want to exist.” Same wisdom for old birds in every region.

[END]
---
[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/8/4/2185158/-Aging-in-America

Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.

via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/