| Why is it that the groups who bear the most | | | | every religion would agree, people are more |
| financial stress and hardship are families and the | | | | important than money. |
| elderly? | | | | So, how did we end up with a system like this? |
| Aren't these our two most precious Human | | | | Lack is a very powerful and motivating condition. |
| assets? Our children, the America of tomorrow, | | | | Many who have come from meager beginnings |
| the apples of our eyes. We all hold children dear, | | | | never want to endure it ever again. Many who |
| whether they are our own or someone else's. | | | | have money are so afraid of losing it that they |
| Even if we have no children, we know they are | | | | will go to any lengths to keep it all for themselves. |
| special, they need our support and protection | | | | It really does amount to fear, whether you have |
| through the most important developmental years. | | | | money or not. That is how this money based |
| And our parents, those who raised us, supported | | | | state of affairs arises and that is how it stays in |
| us, nurtured us, and taught us. Senior citizens are | | | | effect. |
| our living repository of practical experience and | | | | What can we do about it? |
| wisdom. | | | | I know. This system has been around for so long |
| But, how are these groups treated by society? | | | | that it's hard imagine life any other way, but that |
| At least 65% of American children live in | | | | is exactly where we must start. Try it now. Can |
| households with an almost unbearable amount of | | | | you imagine what life would be like for you if you |
| financial tension and stress. They have to do | | | | weren't worried about money? What would you |
| without things, like new clothes, really healthy | | | | do? Where would you live? What would your |
| whole foods, medical insurance, and worst of all, | | | | home be like, your clothes? What would your |
| their parents' attention because parents must | | | | stress level be like? You'd be far more relaxed. |
| work long, draining hours just to provide food and | | | | Go on, imagine it now. Take a deep breath and let |
| shelter for their families. We can only hope | | | | it out feeling as if you didn't have a financial care |
| parents don't get hurt or sick, because their little | | | | in the world. |
| children could be out on the street before they | | | | Now imagine what other people would be like if |
| know it! | | | | they didn't have to worry about money. They'd |
| Many retired people are having to face a harsh | | | | be less rude. They'd smile more. You'd hear less |
| reality. After being told they must work a job for | | | | yelling amidst your neighbors or even from your |
| 40 years, to provide for their old age, they are | | | | own family. Children would be raised by people |
| now finding that there is no security in old age, no | | | | who could actually focus on them for more time |
| matter how hard they've worked or how long | | | | everyday, which means the adults of tomorrow |
| they've stayed with a particular company. Forced | | | | would be calmer. They'd have fewer "issues" and |
| early retirement, bankrupt pension plans, social | | | | hang-ups because they would grow up feeling |
| security benefits that aren't enough to live on, and | | | | they were the most important thing in their |
| sky high medical costs make old age even more | | | | parents' lives, fostering greater self esteem. |
| treacherous than famlihood, because it's much | | | | This is only the first step, but it's very important. |
| harder for retirees to find decent work due to | | | | Our focus determines our reality. Thoughts |
| the limitations of age and also, age discrimination. | | | | become things. If you can't imagine a better |
| This is not right and something must be done | | | | world, you'll never realize it. We need everyone's |
| about it immediately! | | | | participation here. |
| We get a lot of lip service from government and | | | | Act with compassion and integrity |
| corporations about how they care. They care | | | | I'll never understand why people with wealth don't |
| about children. They care about families. They | | | | seem grateful to the people who made it happen. |
| care about senior citizens. But, do they really? | | | | Behind every million dollar corporation, there are |
| Based on results, children, families and seniors can | | | | thousands of employees and customers, without |
| only say, "Yeah, right!" | | | | whom there would be no business. Those who |
| Look at our politicians, hard at work in Washington | | | | have wealth, have it by the grace of all. No one |
| making sure that the richest 10% of Americans | | | | can make money all by themselves and if you |
| get tax breaks, giving juicy government contracts | | | | don't believe me, try going into a room alone |
| to their fat cat buddies and trying to enforce an | | | | (with no money press, phone, fax or Internet |
| ideology that has no place in a government | | | | ready computer) and see just how much money |
| devoted to the separation of church and state. | | | | you can make without anyone else. |
| They have slashed, crippled or mismanaged every | | | | Every person in America is rich compared to |
| social program designed to help families and senior | | | | others around the world. Be grateful for it. Those |
| citizens. They don't have any plans to address the | | | | who can afford to give to others without |
| health care crisis in America because their | | | | starving, should! Tithing has even been shown to |
| pharmaceutical buddies really like things the way | | | | be one of the fastest way to wealth. Give 10% |
| they are. Even victims of overwhelming natural | | | | of your income to others freely and it will come |
| disaster don't seem to rate timely government | | | | back to you many times over. |
| assistance. Our government today seems to be | | | | Vote! |
| sending a very clear message, "If you don't have | | | | I can't say enough how important it is to pay |
| money, you're on your own." | | | | close attention to politics on every level. I know, |
| Corporations smile at us through media and public | | | | it's boring, but I am shocked at how far removed |
| relations agents while, behind the scenes, they | | | | our current administration is from the common |
| downsize or mismanage pension plans. "Oops! | | | | man. How did it happen? It didn't happen over |
| Sorry. There's just no money left for you." But, | | | | night. The very politicians in office today have long |
| the corporate managers have all been paid, and in | | | | shown their stripes of greed and corruption, but |
| many cases, each one has been paid enough to | | | | people voted for them anyway! They certainly |
| sustain 5 families or more! Is it really necessary to | | | | have lots of friends and very slick public faces, |
| have such a disparity between executive and | | | | but anyone who bothered to look at their records |
| worker salaries? Who works harder? | | | | could have seen this situation coming before |
| Whatever our purpose in life, I KNOW we were | | | | these guys were elected to more important |
| not created to spend our lives consumed with | | | | offices. |
| working and worrying about money. No religion on | | | | Acting on the recommendations of others (be |
| Earth preaches that making money is the most | | | | they teachers, parents, priests, co-workers, |
| important thing in life. Rather, they try to impress | | | | whatever,) may seem much easier that |
| on us how important people and relationships are. | | | | researching candidates for yourself, but look |
| It is love, fostered through correct action that | | | | where it's gotten us. We must take our |
| makes life worth living. This is a spiritual concept | | | | responsibilities to choose our leaders and vote |
| that transcends religion, because people from | | | | much more seriously. |