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With more than 14 million workers unemployed and millions of others under-employed or lacking skills to get ahead the future looks rather grim.  And with manufacturing jobs going overseas, most of them unlikely to return, our once big consuming society is about to turn into a nation of individuals who are just-getting-by.

Government spending has done little to improve the situation.  To the contrary, the United States is deeper in debt than at anytime in the 235 years since our founding.  Our elected representatives can’t or refuse to find common ground on spending issues.  And, the unfunded liabilities at the federal, state and local levels are about to leave these government entities and individual voters broke.

Americans have always rallied to overcome adversity.  The question is will we be able to do it again?  This nation does best when we unite and work together to accomplish the seemingly impossible.  We did this through wars, financial crisis, physical disasters and more.  Yet many wonder if we have strayed so far from the founding principles that selfish interests will take precedence over consideration for the greater good.

The 76 million Baby Boomers were told they were special and acted that way.  Referred to as the “me generation,” they changed the national landscape over the past 50 years.  It was the baby boomers who fought against the war in Vietnam while fighting for civil and women’s rights.  They continued to make an impact throughout all these years. 

Boomers, for better and worst, helped make America what it is today.  Now, they are becoming New Seniors as the oldest of them turn 65 this year.  And, they will continue to do so at the rate of 4 million per year through 2030.  However, it must be remembered, this generation has not been known for making sacrifices.

The folks who are part of Gen X, and Y along with those coming after them are scrambling to provide for their families, as are the younger Boomers.  So, the New Seniors must act like the adults.  We have the experience and desire to make America the land of opportunity for our children, our grandchildren and their children as it was for us.

There’s a lot on our collective plates.  Besides stopping the spending spree, we must address the short and long-term future for both Social Security and Medicare.  At the same time, faith in America has got to be restored.  We have seen this happen before, yet many of those who have not experience great national problems are turning pessimistic and believe that America is on a path of decline.  This defeatist attitude is truly the greatest evil of all.  New Seniors can play an important role in overcoming such thinking.

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At the beginning of the last century, the average lifespan for Americans was 47.3 years.  By 1950 that jumped to an average age of 68.2.  Today, we can expect to reach age 78.6, but women outlive men by 5.5 years, 81.2 versus 75.7 respectively.  And, by 2030 (the year all Baby Boomers will be 65 or older) the US average lifespan will reach 81.2.  However, by that time, women are expected to live less than 4 years longer than men.

But there’s much more to the subject than statistics.  New Seniors, those 65+, have firsthand experience that America is living longer.  Many of us got to be introduced to our great grandparents and most of us grew up having grandparents in our lives.  Probably we did not pay much attention to this phenomenon, but we did benefit from the mere fact that it happened. Now, as we reach the next phase of our lives, the subject of life expectancy has become more personal. 

The life expectancy numbers improve at birth because infant mortality rates have improved markedly in the past century.  Childhood disease in this country, such as scarlet fever and polio, have been controlled to the point were reaching adulthood is a better bet than ever before.  The deadly diseases such as cancer, diabetes, coronary and even AIDS have been arrested while not being eradicated.  And, death by influenza, the plague and dysentery are no longer a threat to most of our population.

So upon reaching 65 the majority of us are in pretty good shape, especially if we have watched our diets, exercise and have regular physical checkups.  Even with once fatal or debilitating illnesses, there are treatments that allow people to live longer, more productive and comfortable lives.  Nonetheless, all good things must come to an end, and that’s were the debate centers.

Some experts believe aging is a natural part of living.  They suggest every one over 65 has one or more disorders or diseases that must be addressed now or in the future.  As symptoms for these issues arise, specialists should be called in to deal with each individual problem with the family doctors acting as coordinators and overseers of the patients’ wellbeing.  Another group takes the holistic approach and treats aging as the disease with the various conditions that occur being part of  this disease.

Either way, we are not going to get younger, so New Seniors will have to let those following us be the guinea pigs.  In the meantime, if you want to live longer you could move to any of 20 countries with longer life expectancies than the US.  Or you could move to a location in this country that you don’t like.  This won’t extend life, but it will sure seem like it got longer.  Better yet, spend as much time as possible with those you love and your life will be richer and more enjoyable.  Isn’t that what it’s all about?     

Wearing poppies, waving flags, parades, placing flags and wreaths at soldiers’ graves, twenty-one gun salutes followed by hot dogs and ice cream at the local American Legion were all part of the Memorial Day pre-boomers remember as kids.  It was a solemn yet celebrative day because we remembered those who died serving our country and rejoiced in the freedom we enjoyed as a result of their sacrifices.

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There are many versions of how this day of remembrance came to be.  Dozens of cities in the United States lay claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day.  In fact, it was originally called Decoration Day – a time to place flowers and flags on the graves of America’s fallen heroes and honor their service.

Some say the day got its start before the end of the Civil War, when ladies in the South organized to decorate the graves of the Confederate dead.  Others believe a group of former slaves exhumed the bodies from a mass grave in South Carolina filled with the bodies of Union soldiers, buried the remains in individual plots and planted flowers to decorate the cemetery.  But Waterloo New York is considered to official home of the day’s first observance in 1866. 

The tradition of honoring the military dead was renewed during WWI.  It started in the United States with the wearing of poppies, inspired by the poem, “in Flanders Fields.”  The poppies were sold and the proceeds used to benefit servicemen in need.  This idea later caught on in Europe to benefit orphaned children and widows of servicemen who lost their lives.  A few years later, the European effort petered out and the founder approached a US organization, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), to support the effort.  In 1922 the VFW began selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans.

Although the term “Memorial Day” was first used in 1882, it did not become more popular than “Decoration Day” until after WWII.   Memorial Day was declared a Federal Holiday in 1967.  Over the years, the meaning and observance of the day has diminished.  Poppies are still sold by veterans groups.  Flags are displayed, but fewer than in the past.  And the parades have all but vanished; however, there is a national parade each year in Washington, DC.

Now, Memorial Day, which has turned into a long weekend, marks the beginning of the summer season with cookouts and family activities taking the place of community events.  Many have tried to return to the traditional roots of this day.  To accomplish this, Americans must be re-educated about the history of Memorial Day and set it aside as a day of remembrance rather that just a day off from school or work. 

Legislation has been introduced to Congress in an effort to return the observance of Memorial Day to May 30^th instead of the last Monday in May.  If you believe this is a tradition you would like to see restored, contact your elected representative and let them know you don’t want the meaning of Memorial Day forgotten.         

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The storms and flooding that have devastated the South and Midwest are not due to climate change according to leading meteorologists.  These pronouncements have not kept activists from heating up the debate once again over global warming.  Getting their message out is not a problem, since a willing press stands ready to cooperate. 

Images remain fresh in our minds of the destruction caused by countless tornados and the Mississippi River overflowing its banks like we have not seen in 75 years. However, a Rasmussen poll conducted in early May shows that only 39% of respondents believed the weather in their area was the worst in recent memory. 

When asked if you or a family member has been affected by severe weather an overwhelming 76% said no, 15% said yes and 8% were not sure.  Clearly, the media coverage made people aware of the problem but relatively few were impacted by it.  As to who should have the financial responsibility for weather related disasters, 36% say the federal government, 26% believe this should fall on local agencies, 22% felt individuals should and 16% were not sure.

Age and political affiliation and, to a lesser extent, gender separate the issue as to who is to blame for the weather.  About one in three of those 18 to 29 years of age say long term planetary trends are the reason for the extreme weather conditions, but six in ten of the 30 to 49 year olds point to planetary trends as do about half of those over 50. 

More men (55%) say planetary trends are the cause of weather conditions compared to women (46%).  Not unexpectedly, politics plays a role in responses with 69% of the Republicans and 50% of the unaffiliated believing long-term planetary trends are the causes.  Democrats are split on this but, should tragedy occur, a plurality (48%) looks to the federal government to intervene financially compared to 28% of Republicans and 31% of Independents. 

Half those surveyed thought the government was doing a good to excellent job in responding to the disasters.  In addition, 49% have or will donate to relief fund for victims.  And, 64% of respondents say the economy will be hurt in the aftermath. 

So it appears that Americans will continue to talk about the weather and its consequences but the majority of them don’t believe they can do anything about changing the climate.  However, politicians being what they are will surely find ways to try to convince us that our thinking is wrong so they can spend money trying to fix an unfixable problem.  Haven’t they ever heard of the laws of nature? 

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In its heyday, the beverage saw many innovations such as vacuum packing and the advent of instant coffee.  Strong advertising campaigns supported these advancements.  A major factor in the decline of individual consumption was the rise of beverage alternatives, particularly carbonated soft drinks that increased nearly fivefold in the 50 years following WWII according to USDA research.

More than half of all Americans over 18 drink coffee daily.  That’s 150 million people.  And, 30 million of them consume specialty coffee drinks, with younger Americans making up a huge part of this growth market.  The marketers of these espresso based drinks are quite pleased since the retail price of specialty coffees is about twice that of traditional brewed coffee.

Specialty drinks appeal primarily to the 65% of people who prefer to add cream and/or sugar to their coffee.  And, since 65% of all coffee is consumed during breakfast hours, this has become a way to expand the times of day when people drink the beverage.  Currently, 5% of  the coffee consumed is with other meals, while 30% drink it between meals.  So there are obvious opportunities to increase usage as well as have consumers step up in price.

As Starbucks approaches its 40^th anniversary, half of that time was as a regional chain of coffee shops, many point to the company as the driving force behind renewed interest in coffee products.  After the firm’s meteoric rise and overexpansion, which lead to hundreds of store closures and a push for internal efficiencies, Starbucks has seemed to turn the corner with customer count and check averages edging up.

With eyes turned outward, the industry leader is engaged in a battle against Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonalds for the consumers’ away-from-home coffee dollars.  The burger chain has made an impact with its coffee lineup.  McDonald’s prices are lower and customers keep coming back because they are satisfied.  This has prompted Starbucks and Dunkin’ to offer loyalty rewards programs.  These chains will all be carrying the coffee wars to global markets as they battle for sales supremacy continues here at home.

This competition will no doubt lead to higher quality, lower prices, better service and more products being offered.  So sit back and enjoy your favorite coffee drink, whether it’s a bold cup of black house blend, a fancy espresso based latte, a steaming cappuccino or an ice-blended drink.  You can bet that the coffee guys are hard at work trying to figure out how to get you into their store next time you want a cup of coffee.    

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As part of my renewed get-in-better-shape program, I walk/jog five days each week.  Being retired with a flexible schedule, I get to do this on various days at different times.  The track is located in a community recreation center run by the city of Los Angeles.  My routine takes me around the perimeter of the property and provides the opportunity to observe the activities of many people in the hour or so that I use the facility.

My biggest gripe is that people seem to be oblivious to what’s going on around them.  This could be the result of worries that take folks away from the moment and preoccupies their minds.  Perhaps it’s an iPod plugged into their ear or holding a cell phone as they try to negotiate the boring job of going around the track.  Or, maybe, they don’t believe that stated rules and accepted behavior apply to them.

On a trip around the track, I have encountered people walking the wrong way (track traffic always goes counter-clockwise with the slow movers staying on the right).  A group of slow walkers spread across the track so the can talk but show no regard for those behind them.  Nannies using cell phones push baby strollers and are prone to make sudden stops and stand in one spot for no apparent reason.  Those walking dogs are apt to do this as well.  And, kids learning to ride bikes are liable to do just about anything.

The problems are not confined to the track.  Earlier this year, the city installed exercise equipment in several spots along side the running area.  Designating funds to do this in a town that is virtually broke is too another issue and won’t be addressed right now.  The workout areas are surrounded by fences and signs are posted stating that no one under fourteen is permitted to use the equipment, which is primarily for safety reason.  It’s amazing how many parents let their little ones play on them.  Of course, pre-teens, particularly boys, all want to try out the equipment meant for older people.

Similar situations arise around the kid’s areas, picnic areas, grassy play areas and the designated playing fields and courts.  Almost daily, I see infractions and occasionally minor confrontations, which all result from people not being considerate of others.  More often than not, the one being intruded upon ignores the offender rather than getting into it with them.  However, by not saying something the offenders believe they can continue doing as they please.  So the poor behavior continues at the park and elsewhere.

We all have a responsibility to follow the established etiquette of using public places.  If we don’t know what that is, then it’s up to us to find out.  And, if others don’t abide by the rules, it’s up to us to politely remind them what these are.  After all, good manners displayed by all will allow each of us to enjoy the good things in life.

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The Gallup organization first asked questions about the following topics in early 2001.  Over the past ten years, the pollster asked questions about several aspects of American life.  These included quality of life, effectiveness of government and the system, moral and ethical climate, individual opportunities to succeed through hard work, attitudes toward big business and the influence of religion.

In 2001, the numbers for federal government and how it works were the direct opposite from the poll taken earlier this year.  Then, only 30% were dissatisfied with the size, influence and workings of government.  The highest positives were recorded in early 2002, just a few months after the 9/11 attacks, when 76% indicated their satisfaction. 

By contrast, this year only 29% of respondents indicated satisfaction with the size and influence of big business in their lives.  Dissatisfaction was 67%  The best ranking for major corporations was 50% satisfaction in 2002.   

Better than half, 55%, of those surveyed said they were satisfied with an individual’s opportunity to pursue the American dream and get ahead through hard work.  The dissatisfaction level was 44%.  As recent a 2008 satisfaction was 68% and dissatisfaction was 31%.  Satisfaction was at 76% a decade ago.

Overall, 8 in 10 Americans are generally satisfied with the quality of their life, although this is declined by 6% over the past 2 years.  Satisfaction with the influence of organized religion started the decade at 61%, spiked at 69% the next year and is now at 58%.

The moral and ethical climate in the country experienced large swings with the highest decade-long positive level registered in 2002 when 47% were satisfied compared to just 30% today.

With the public unhappy with big government and big business, they seem more reliant on themselves and on their individual faith to accomplish positive goals in the months and years ahead.  This may explain why, with negative feelings about the moral and ethical climate of the times, an overwhelming number of Americans are still satisfied with their quality of life.

Now, we must do the things needed to accomplish worthwhile goals.  As we do this, let us take the time to share our good works with others.  Hopefully, they will do the same.  And before we know it, America will be back on the right track.  This will take us beyond petty political squabbling or worrying about what others have and put us in the position working together while reaching for our personal dreams.

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Living in a metropolitan area has many rewards as well as risks.  Rate your health as excellent, very good, good, poor or fair, as done in a survey released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which was reported in a CNS article in early February.  You might be surprised to see which major metro areas are worst.   

Unhealthiest Big Cities

The 20 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, according to the Census Bureau, ranked from worst-to-best by the percentage of residents who said their health was good or better:

Cities                    Population Rank        % w/Good or Better Health

1. Los Angeles                 2                                              77.2
2. Tampa                          19                                              82.8
3. Houston                        6                                              82.9
4. Detroit                          11                                             83.2
5. Philadelphia                 5                                             83.3
6. Riverside                     14                                             83.3
7. New York                      1                                              83.4
8. San Francisco            13                                             83.6
9. Phoenix                        12                                            84.4
10. San Diego                     17                                            85.1
11. St. Louis                       18                                             85.1
12. Dallas                             4                                              85.4
13. Chicago                         3                                              85.6  
14. Miami                            7                                              86.3
15. Atlanta                          9                                              87.0
16. Baltimore                   20                                             87.1
17. Boston                         10                                             88.3
18. Seattle                          15                                             89.0
19. Washington                 8                                              89.8
20. Minneapolis               16                                             89.9

Only 2 of the 177 metropolitan areas on the CDC list had a lower health rating than Los Angeles, and neither was a major city. They were:

Cities                    Population Rank        % w/Good or Better Health

1. Charleston, W.Va.     153                                           75.4
2. Huntington, W.Va.     162                                          75.5

Los Angeles residents’ rating their health so low is rather shocking.  After all, this is the place where grass roots efforts began and spread across the country to get others to eat better foods, exercise more and improve air quality. 

The good health advocates lobbied government to back the clean air effort, ban smoking in restaurants (some communities don’t allow it on the streets) and take high calorie drinks out of schools.  Yet, for all their finger pointing, boycotting and hyperbole, the average Los Angelino ranks his or her self less healthy than those in any other American city. 

Could it be that the pressures of being environmentally, food and politically correct causes more stress than one can handle?  Maybe everyone should relax and use common sense when it comes to living their lives instead of everyone else’s.  That way, we all may feel better about our health and everything else.     

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Technology keeps us in touch with the world, or whatever portion of it we want to be part of, 24/7.  Of course, there are times when some of us want to have some down-time, but for many this is a luxury that cannot be realized.  Others don’t want to be out-of-the-loop, so they stay in the game at all times.  These are individual choices, but the big question is how does one get the most out of the knowledge we have at our fingertips and the speed with which it can be disseminated?

The answer is not to be loaded with information but to be capable of understanding and applying the wealth of content available to us.  Facts and data are of little value if we don’t use them.  It can be for enjoyment, to enhance a project or effect change that touches others in a positive manner.  This suggests action, which involves connecting with others and sharing with them something worthwhile.

So, New Seniors, think back to 20 years ago when those 65+ were a vital part of the workforce.  Many held managerial positions and all of us had lots of employment and life experiences on which to draw.  We were the go-to people of that time.  Unfortunately, today’s counterparts, living in an uncertain world, seem compelled to react and think in shorter time frames in order obtain faster results. 

The process is like comparing checkers to chess.  That puts an emphasis on execution as opposed to planning.  Tactics rather than strategies.  So whether it’s the business world, volunteer work or family matters, the disciplines  we learned and applied for years can be utilized in virtually any situation that may face New Seniors.  We won’t be paralyzed by too much information or try to short-cut the process by not analyzing what’s important.

Advanced technology does not do the thinking for us, although many would like it that way.  The more people depend on technology, the more they believe it can do for them.  Ask a child of the computer age to add a column of numbers or do long division and they’ll turn to a calculator.  A New Senior might do the same; however, that person  knows how to do it by hand and understands the methodology behind it.  Reading and comprehension is becoming a lost art as well.

This is not to suggest that New Seniors are smarter than younger Americans.  However, there are reasons to believe that those 65+ learned and embrace the basics.  Coupled with practical experience, it seems logical to conclude that New Seniors are capable of bringing unique capabilities to the task of problem solving.  All we need is the opportunity.  

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Because each of us can make a difference in our homes, at work and in our communities, there are no reasons and certainly no excuses for not being part of the solution.  Too often, we see problems and decide to ignore them or simply to complain about the lack of action on the part of others.  This is a low-level way of contributing to the ultimate expansion of the problem.

A quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt says, “ Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery.  Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.”  These words are those to live by for everyone, especially New Seniors.  We should not rest on past accomplishments or the way things were.  And we don’t know what the future brings.  So there’s no reason to worry about what might happen provided we take care of what’s in front of us right now.

Are New Seniors bringing the experience we amassed over the years to effect positive change?  Other generations, including our grandchildren and their peers, need to hear about history as we lived it not what others wish it were.  The tales of the Great Depression.  The courage of people who fought WWII and the support they received from the people on the home front.  The boom years that followed.  The advent of television, consumerism, Rock and Roll.  The civil rights movement, women’s rights, the Vietnam War.  All these were experienced by those 65+ and must be passed along.

And, along the way, we lived through the Cold War, nuclear proliferation, creation of Medicare, opening of trade with Asia, a few more wars and a couple of financial crisis plus the Internet and the tech bubble.  This all occurred before the millennium.   In the past decade terrorists attacked the homeland and we got into a couple of more wars.  Then the rug was pulled out from under us with our institutions letting us down as the nation plunged into a deep recession and the current aftermath.  This gives New Seniors a long-term perspective and plenty to share with others.

Using this experience as a foundation to explore today’s problems can help generate common sense solutions that could go a long way in fixing many situations.  Some of these won’t be resolved in our lifetimes.  However, New Seniors have a responsibility to provide real insight to America’s woes. 

We were leaders and workers in the past and have lived the American Dream.  Let us unite with trailing generations by offering our experience and the lessons learned to help get the nation back on track.  If we do this today, tomorrow will take care of itself.  What a gift this would be to the country we love.