Grey Power: "putting money aside" (2)

I see red flags when I read certain statements in a recent Stats Can report about Canada's aging population because, although I wasn't mentioned by name, it relates to me and millions of others my age, i.e., 65 and up. (My D.O.B. is Sept. 1949, so 65 is just around the corner). Some red flags have to do with green.

As reported in the London Free Press (Nov. 26):

     ...as the so-called baby boomers age there will be
     fewer people in line after them to pay for their care.

     "There's a kind of an intergenerational difficulty in
     that," (emeritus sociology professor) Beaujot said.
     "As we're preparing for a society that will have more
     health care costs, we should have been putting
     money aside for that."

See the red flags? More people will need care. Fewer people will pay for the care. Where will the money come from? We should have been putting money away long ago, personally, provincially, federally (i.e., governmentally). We should be saving now.

Like many others I'd like to be 20 again. Long hair, polyester bell-bottoms, wide Paisley ties, bright yellow shirts with long pointy collars, platform shoes, 25 cent glasses of beer. Oh yeah, take me back this minute. But could I stand the cost of the steps needed to prepare for the future? It would be tough sledding, for certain, so I don't blame young people today for not wanting to bear rising costs for an aging class at the same time they're trying to get their own educational needs, apartment, house or new family in order.

Provincial and federal governments may feel they have their hands tied. Large red flags like current debt loads, low tax climates ("Cut costs, cut taxes or else!"), struggling economies and rising costs (in more areas than health) don't make a pleasant mix. We seem to be facing an unsustainable situation now and a more troubled one in the future. Magic pill? It can't appear fast enough.

The large number of red flags makes me think we are a country at war with itself, and with that image comes reminders of what Canadians did 70 - 75 years ago when faced with an all-consuming calamity, World War 2. We shelved our business-as-usual approach to life and sacrificed - for a time - much of our energy and wealth with the hope to vanquish a determined foe. The same type of push is needed today.

More to follow.      

***

Please click here to read putting money aside (1)