Why don't More Older Persons organize for Our Rights?

Dear GAA Blog Reader,

Over the last week, I've posted several articles describing how the Governments of South Korea, China and the US are threatening to reduce their existing social security programs.   None of these programs appear to be adequate to meet the needs of their older citizens.  But why don't older people rise up against these threats that can shorten and reduce our last days to miserable conditions?

A visiting friend at dinner last night suggested an explanation that I want to test with you.   He suggested that governments appear to be threatening elders in this way:  "They tell older citizens that their needs will take national resources away from the young--their childen and their grandchildren."  The message:  "Stop complaining about social support programs; if we governments spend on you, we won't have enough resources to provide for the young."

Our friend thinks that older persons must see this propaganda for what it is: a way to ignore the social needs of elders and claim that it's unfair to want social programs and other programs in old age.

Of course, the issue of greater taxes for the upper 1% goes unnoticed. 

What do you think?  Do you hear this argument in your country?  Please comment to Global Action on Aging.

Have a good week! 

Susanne Paul for Global Action on Aging