One Hundred? I Don't Think So

-
There's a report out that polled a bunch of people asking them if they'd like to live to be a hundred years old. Eight percent of those polled said yes - count me among the other 92%.

And not that I don't enjoy living from time-to-time. There would be a great number of benefits to living such a long life, like seeing my kids live their entire lives, and watching the Yankees run their World Series wins up to about 40, and listening to Bruce for 50 + more years, and eating and drinking and hanging out.

Yet looking at my body now and adding another 56 years on it - uh...no. It won't work - how bald and fat can I get? And the back isn't going to be feeling any better by that point, right?

Yet the discussion didn't center around reaching the age of 100 just so that we can all think about crapping our pants again and letting the kids change us - it was a serious discussion about the cost of health care.

We're living longer - we want to treat illnesses aggressively whether it be for ourselves or a loved one - and with the advancements in medicine and the fact that a lot of the population is going to be old by the year 2020 - we may have a real problem on our hands.

First of all, we all would like to retire by 64 - or 67 at the latest - which, if everyone got to the century mark - would allow us about 35 years of being unproductive and just looking for a handout - as well as great medical coverage. Simple math - doesn't work.

Yet what do we do? The radio personality that I was listening to was talking about universal health care but with a cap - and that when you reached the limit, you couldn't get treated anymore. Not an easy decision, huh? How'd you like to get to a hospital and have a doctor explain to you that he only did half the heart procedure because your account ran out of money.

The health care issue is not going to be easily solved - many have tried and wound up shrugging their shoulders. In the meantime, it's become a certified mess.

100 years old? Well it might sound attractive if I was 99 and a half, but it seems a little scary at this point.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more