Warning: Generation Gap, 16 Year Drop.
Ah, age discrimination. Isn't it great? Seems like no matter what age we are, there's something we want to do that we can't. For babies, it may be reaching that big glass vase full of flowers on the counter. For pre-teens, it may be wanting to drive. For teens, it may be the ability to make one's own choices without facing parental censure. The in-between years, say 21-50, there are all kinds of challenges that have less to do with age. Maybe those in their 50s want to retire, but can't yet. Over 65, basic things in life can start to shut down: our elders may simply want to be able to put their pants on or stay in one lane when they're driving.
I've been thinking about this lately, because the city in which I work is considering a city property-tax freeze for resident homeowners 65 and older (as well as disabled residents of any age). The median age in the city is 37. The majority are children. The battle is over how much a freeze would impact the city's revenues, and whether it's fair to make younger families pick up the slack.
Wow? You're still reading this? You must be bored!
I'm on the fence about the issue. While I'm only 30, because I have a time-intensive job (smalltown newspaper editor) and a time-intensive family (loving wife and the cutest son in the world; well, my world at least), essentially I'm on a fixed income just like the elderly. It would be hard to take a part-time job; in fact, it's something I've considered. As for overtime, I am a salaried superviser, so that's a no-go. I pay a LOT of taxes, whether it's income tax, property tax for Casa del T-Bone, sales taxes, tax taxes, etc.
To gain more revenue, a city has to raise its tax rate (or the appraised values have to increase substantially, which they usually do slowly over time). If a tax freeze is passed, then disabled and over-65 residents won't pay any more taxes, but I will. Is that fair?
Not really. Is it something we should do anyway? Probably. God willing, we'll all make it to 65. It will be even harder to make additional income for us then. Our mobility will be somewhat affected, even if we are healthy as horses. The fact is, for better or worse, the older generation is paving the way for us. We will eventually be the recipients of anything given to them. I hope we also earn the respect they demand, but that remains to be seen.
Really, the difference between younger and older generations is that the older ones have the benefit of experience. They are more complete in their life's journey. Given the same kind of world they lived in, and the same circumstances, I would hope my generation – the Xers – would have risen to the occasion of world war and such. The fact is, we don't live in a world like they did. It is so different. Why, the younger generation in school now is living in a much much different world than the one I grew up in.
The changes go beyond the obvious historical significance of 9/11. We were headed south long before that happened. The universe's entropical downslide has been constant.
Well, something to chew on, nonetheless. If you've read all the way down to the end, you should be given a cookie. I'll get right on that!
Happy weekend.
I just keep remembering something my uncle told my Mom when they reached 65: "It's great to get all these senior citizen discounts but they sure would have come in handy when our kids were little and we were REALLY strapped for cash."
It's easy to see both sides of this problem. When you're raising children, money seems to be so expensive.
On the other hand, we have neighbors who are in their 80's and never had any children. Their taxes are the same as people who put a half dozen kids through school.
I can't figure out what a really good answer would be.
Cas
Hmmm, make mine peanut butter, a big one with a Hershey's kiss planted right in the middle, slighted melted and warm. Big glass of milk, too, please! Oh, and remove the calories while you're at it, love?
Part of me wants to say, no way, that's just not fair, but then, it does pave the way for making retirement for I and hubby easier. This is a tough call.
It's a simple fact that middle class of america on the whole picks up the slack of every other 'class', rich/poor. Our taxes are taxed and our government severly overpaid. We have homeless and hungry americans but spend billions of dollars rebuilding other countries. Yes, we have a problem and the one you posted on is one of so many. Perhaps if they took away some of the ludicrous tax breaks they give to corporate america and placed them on middle america or hell, america in general, we'd be at a much better state than we are today. But don't say that on TV or the radio because with the new regulations, freedom of speach doesn't pertain to those forums. Yikes...guess I have an opinion eh? =]
Yeah, Kimberlee, but those companies with the tax breaks are the same ones who employ middle America, so the breaks help us, too, theoretically.
I don't know if that pans out, but I see the thought. On the other hand, if the government can't lay off the middle class, they'll eliminate them, which is what I sometimes suspect they want.
T-Bone, as usual, you put a great positive slant on things, but I can't help but think- I'm just starting out, here. Why is it that my taxes are paying for my boss's prescriptions, and maybe soon, his taxes, too. He's had the last 60 years to save retirement money.
On the other hand, he writes my check, so theoretically, his gain should be in my interest as well.
I can see the sides, I really can- but f**k, my check is only going to stretch so far! And I don't think I need to tell you how the politicians making these rules live.