OUR DISRESPECT OF THE ELDERLY
In the new millennium, there is one thing that most folks can agree on when it comes to the mess in our society. We refuse to honor the fifth commandment, "Honor thy father and thy mother."
Several years back, I was taking a short ride with one of my daughters and she made a comment about the elderly. It was most astonishing. She had met some men from Japan during the course of her work. She was impressed with the mores they possessed, which Americans openly ignore. We don't respect our elders.
I am now at the age where I am a senior in some towns. I am horrified at the atrocities I've learned that seniors suffer. If those aging were respected and treated with the dignity, we wouldn't have Elder Abuse Hot Lines. The fact they exist is a blight against American society.
SOME PRACTICAL POINTS
Let's start with the religious bent. In Old Testament times, anyone found disrespecting their parents were subject to stoning. Aside from the old stories we hear, the Ten Commandments were not edicts from a foreboding God who wanted His way with complex rules.
These rules were given for a more simple reason. Obedience makes for an orderly society. With this, comes more peace and happiness. But humans being stubborn as they are, look at rules as anyone's attempt at intervening in their free will. And, they rebel.
We are in a dilemma in our society. We never expected humans to live as long as they are; nor did we expect that the population growth would dwindle as the years went on. The fewer entrants to the workplace, means fewer revenues to keep up Social Security and other aid for retirees and the disabled.
These factors, along with the shrinking economy, have put families at risk who have older parents. There simply isn't enough space, money, people or agencies to deal successfully with the aging.
Some elderly find themselves abandoned completely. There are those who wander the streets and live day-by-day, wondering where they will get their next handout and/or a kind look. It is not unusual to find even those wheel-chair bounded wandering the streets. Older motels and housing many times are not able to cope with the disabled. Many are turned away when push comes to shove from the only housing they can afford.
A LITTLE REALITY
There is no clean-cut answer to solve the multitudes of problems which encumber our country. I am a firm believer in starting one step at a time. We are all aware that we have a list of problems, not counting budget woes, a mile long weighing us down.
Our government, citizenry, and country as a whole, is waving a fist in the face of the basic premise on which we based our foundation "In God We Trust." We trust Him so much that we blatantly flaunt our disobedience in His face when it comes to the elderly. Eliminating a
blatant sin, will bring blessings to a country whose fate is in God's hands.
Ok, you are now saying. How are we going to do this? More important, who is going to pay the price?
Actually, the place and the how is fairly simple. Even rural areas have regional churches. If you think that churches in their current state, take care of the elderly and poor, think again.
They help members and outsiders on a very, very limited basis. Also, their help comes in bite sizes. Never sufficient to get one over a hump or aid to be continually relied on.
Churches have this lovely status in our country. It is called non-profit. If there was a mandate which required them setting aside a continuous tithe of their revenues for the needy in their community, things would greatly improve. Then, of course, the question is, how would that be enforced. It's simple. They would have to just fill out another form when they file their regular taxes.
This country, and our society in general, continues to try and shut out the cries of the elderly. There are lobbying groups which make some noise on this issue, but it is not enough. The unfortunate part of this solution is that churches have lobbyists also. Hmm, maybe it is time that we looked at that also.
While you are thinking about it, there are elderly wandering the streets and very anxious about where they will find their next meal. God is hearing their cries. Are you?
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