Looking for Connections

I always look for connections. I inherited that curiousity from my mother. From an early age, I have found the world a fascinating puzzle and the people in it, players in an intriguing game. As a result, I keep alert to connections...almost as if discovering information from many different sources illuminates pressing concerns, hidden agendas, and important issues that must not be ignored.

Interestingly, two articles have surfaced in the past few days that tie political agenda to the issues facing 50 plus...and the issues that create the backdrop for the services developed by Gen Plus.

The first article, published today, June 12, 2005 in the NY Times, and written by ROBIN TONER and DAVID E. ROSENBAUM talks about boomer retirement as the political "white elephant" and challenges AARP's defense of senior workers in North America. In fact, it is quite clear that it will be much easier for the politicians to come up with ridiculous formulas to take themselves off the political hook -- formulas to address social security challenges, without addressing the true financial concerns and needs of our aging population. Follow the link for the full article.

The second article, an editorial, published on June 11, 2005 in the LA Times, hits the aging issue from an immigration approach. That as boomer teachers retire, not only will there be an employment crisis in teaching, but that the Hispanic immigrant population will fill the void. Follow the link for the full article.

Now, in my personal life, my 5 1/2 year old has just graduated from Nursery School. Teachers in private nursery earn somewhere between $20 - 35,000 per year depending upon their longevity. The teachers at this nursery, are bright, dedicated, loving and determined to educate our children with as many resources as possible to give them a good head start. I have had many conversations with the school's director. She firmly believes that contrary to the political positions, that the best workers...the teachers that she will be looking to hire, will be those 50 and older. For many reasons -- dedication, integrity, higher level of education, willingness to work for less money in a second/retirement career.

So, as far as connections go? Well, it is clear to me, from the many articles and discussions rising up over the past several months, that the politicians do not know what to do. And more importantly, they don't have their finger on the pulse. A huge percentage of the population in the 50 - 75 age bracket will want to work...will need to work. Our government is not prepared to address this challenge. Boomers and seniors are staring at themselves in the mirror and recognizing the white elephant reflecting back at them.