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Back in the ‘60s, the federal government decided it was in our best interest to have cigarette packages carry a warning that smoking could be a health hazard.  It appeared on the side of every package.  Soon it appeared in all ads as well.  The next move was the banning of all cigarette advertising on both radio and television.  Then, there were more and harsher warnings along with educational campaigns that spread the woes of second-hand smoke.  This led to smoking bans in restaurants and virtually anyplace outside of ones home or car.  Now, even these once safe havens are also under attack.  

Continued pounding away at the dangers of cigarettes achieved the desired result of reducing the number of Americans who smoked.  However, with this came reduced revenues, since tobacco products were an important source of tax dollars.  So, the government did what it does best and raised taxes on tobacco products, particularly cigarettes.  All the while, subsidies were still being paid to tobacco farmers.

Less than half the percentage of US adults smoke today compared to a half-century ago.  However, what seems to be a never ending quest to control the electorate, politicians and their bureaucratic colleagues are pushing harder to reduce cigarette usage.  This seems like a strange way to treat a legal product that generates considerable tax dollars.  But the decision has been made to scare people to stop or never start smoking in the name of better health for everyone.

Have you seen the illustrations that will be adorning the cigarette packages?  There’s a clean lung next to a smoker’s lung.  Another has a smoker sporting a tracheotomy.  And, of course, there is one that features a corpse, with the body obviously being that of a smoker.  There are others, but you get the idea.

Only the die-hard smoker in denial, a cigarette company executive or a politician from a tobacco growing state will extol the benefits of smoking.  Therefore, we will probably see tobacco usage decline further.  Taxes will be increased so the cash cow can continue to fund the projects aimed at shrinking the size of the market in this game of round robin. 

What non-smokers have to worry about is if the government will use the same heavy-handed tactics to stop us from eating the foods we enjoy.  This, then, becomes an attack on our freedom.  Are we willing to allow Big Brother to usurp individual choices and personal responsibilities in order to conform with what someone else says is good for us?  Isn’t it time to let the elected representatives know, as Americans, we still claim the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

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More than 6 in 10 women have a negative opinion about how well the children will do compared to half of all the men surveyed for a Rasmussen study conducted in June.  Again, younger adults of both genders have a more positive view of the future than their older counterparts.

Along racial lines, whites were the most pessimistic with 60% saying the years ahead look bleak, while only 48% of blacks agreed and those designated as others (mostly Hispanics and Asians) being the least negative at just 38%.

Asked if it is still possible for anyone in the US to work hard and get rich 28% of respondents answered yes, the lowest rating in the last 2 years.  More than twice the percentage of men said yes versus women.  The 18 to 29 and 65+ age groups were most negative while about a third of those between 30 and 64 were optimistic.

In terms of getting rich through hard work, the most positive group of all were the others in the racial sub-group with 44% saying yes to the children’s future.  This group also believed it was possible for anyone who wants to work to find work with 65% answering affirmatively compared to 44% of all adults.  Could this attitude be attributed to so many of the other group being immigrants or the children of immigrants?

The question of whether it is possible for anyone in the US to work their way out of poverty received a yes answer from 44% of the adults surveyed.  The men were more positive with 57% saying yes versus just 36% of the women.  The 18 to 29 age group was lowest with 25%.  All race groups were in keeping with the percentage of total adults stating a positive belief that in this country people can work themselves out of poverty.

Concern over poverty is mounting with 7 in 10 respondents saying more people are living in it than a decade ago.  And, a plurality (45%) of those surveyed said the current government anti-poverty programs actually increase poverty.  However, the state of poverty in America is not what it is in third world countries where nearly all children are faced with disease, starvation and a lack of education.

So, while people generally don’t think the children will partake in the American dream to the extent they did, a good portion of them believe those who are willing can find jobs and that it is possible to work your way out of poverty.  If that isn’t the American dream what is?  Now, let’s instill this concept into the hearts and minds of each and every one of our children, so they believe they can actually do better than their parents.

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According to the Rasmussen report, 44% of Democrats believe the economy will be stronger next year.  This is in sharp contrast to the 23% of Republicans and 26% of Independents (or those with other political affiliations) expecting the coming year will show a stronger economy. 

There are significant differences by race, as well.  About half of black adults (49%) think the economy will improve next year, which is the highest sub-cell within the study.  And, 43% of the other category (primarily Hispanics and Asians) say the economy will be stronger in 2012, while only 28% of whites were optimistic.

Looking ahead to 5 years out, the sub-groups come closer together and show greater confidence in a stronger economy, with Democrats at 55%, Republicans 43% and Independents 39%.  The racial disparity is even closer, 48% of blacks, 54% of others and 44% of whites expecting a stronger economy.

Two economic barometers were also part of the study.  When asked how long it will take for the stock market to recover, the respondents answered as follows: 1 year 14%, 2 years 16%, 3 years 15%, more than 3 years 27% and not sure 28%.  With 55% of respondents saying more than 3 years or they were not sure, the attitude of most Americans seems to be fear or frustration.

The findings involving the real estate market are even more discouraging.  When asked how long it will take housing prices to recover, the respondents said: 1 year 6%, 2 years 11%, 3 years 14%, more than 3 years 48% and not sure 20%.  That means 68% think it will take more than 3 years or were not sure how long it would take before the housing market is back in the black.

In spite of the continued concerns voiced by all segments of the population in all parts of the country, politicians are either incapable or unwilling to fix the lingering problems that keep the economic recovery from becoming a reality in the lives of most Americans.  Both sides of the aisle are to blame as is the administration along with the various agencies serving it and the activist judges who turn their backs on the law by trying to legislate from the bench.

It is up to us to get better educated about issues and more deeply involved in the political process in order to put elected representatives’ feet to the fire.  If the politicians won’t put party issues to the side and start working on the peoples’ behalf, we’ll elect new ones.

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The government is spending money faster than it can be borrowed or printed.  Social Security, which came in to being about the time many New Seniors were born, is broke.  Medicare came on the scene when we were in our twenties or thirties.  It never was properly funded and is a drain on the national budget.  With the baby boomers starting to turn 65, think of trillions of dollars these entitlements will cost taxpayers.

Flashing back on the early ‘40s, shows a different scene than we find ourselves in today.  Although the government was racking up lots of debt, people were confident it was the right thing to do and citizens put aside their differences to support a greater common need.  Our fathers, uncles and cousins volunteered for military service or took defense jobs.  Moms, aunts and neighbor women served too.  They worked in plants, did Red Cross and other service work.  America was committed.

Rationing was in place so we didn’t have meats, poultry and eggs even if our families could afford them.  Gas was scarce and rationed as well.  New cars were not being manufactured.  Many other products such as kids’ sneakers, appliances and clothing were just not available.  People volunteered to plant Victory Gardens and these provided a good portion of the vegetable consumed at home during the war years.  We saved papers, tin cans and anything else that could be used for the war effort, which was probably the first time many Americans recycled.

To deal with the financial crisis we all face today, the spirit of patriotism we had back then must prevail once more.  Forget about political labels and wanting to get what we want before anyone else and keep it until the bitter end.  Don’t let politicians play the games they do just to get re-elected.  New Seniors need to show the rest of the nation that we put our country and future generations first.

This is the time for us to let the politicians know that we are willing to do our fair share rather than wait for them legislate it.  We should be willing to submit to some kind of sliding scale to reduce Social Security benefits according to our overall financial situation and pay more for Medicare on the same basis.  All we ask in return is for the government to start spending responsibility and that other Americans make sacrifices too.

Let’s be among the first to tell our Congressional representatives that we are ready to volunteer in the fight against the national debt.  This country has been good to many New Seniors.  Those of us who have been so blessed might consider giving something back so future generations can have the same opportunities we had.  Do you have a better idea?      

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First consider the short-term market attitudes.  Following a survey conducted in mid-April by Rasmussen it was reported that 15% of homeowners thought their homes would go up in value next year, 33% expected they would be worth less and 50% said they would retain their current value. 

Of course, by maintaining a home’s market value today means it may sell for 20% less than just a couple of years ago.  That’s a big loss of potential income for anyone, especially New Seniors who expected their homes would help finance retirement expenses.  Many of these 65+ homeowners hoped to sell the house and move to smaller quarters.  Some wanted stay put and get a reverse mortgage.  Others planned to wait until it was time to go into a retirement community before placing their homes on the market. 

In the meantime, those who are decades away from retirement continue to worry about making monthly payments and hope things will eventually turn around.  However, their attitudes suggest a bleak picture going forward.  In April 2009, 55 % of respondents said the value of their home would increase in the next 5 years.  In April 2011 the number dropped to 39%.  This is down by 5 points in a single month and represents the highest negatives in a 2 year period.

Men have a more positive attitude toward home values increasing over the next half-decade (45%) compared to women (33%).  For prices remaining the same, 31% of men said they would as did 42% of the women.  Among those believing prices will continue to fall, men and women were about equal at 18% and 19% respectively.  And, attitudes tended to become more negative with age; nearly half (49%) of those 30 to 39 saying prices will go up in the next 5 years while only 37% of those 65+ shared this belief.

Waiting for the market to get healthy can be an expensive proposition.  Energy costs are on the rise as are the prices for building materials needed to keep a home looking good.  All the while, many homeowners are faced with rising property taxes.  So owning a home has become less attractive to some.  This makes the potential buyers pool even smaller.

Nonetheless, most Americans dream of owning a home and still consider it a good investment.  This means saving for a down payment rather than getting into a place for nothing down and interest only for several years.  Smaller homes at lower prices are growing in popularity.  Multi-generational families (grandparents living with their adult children and the grandkids) may influence marketplace dynamics.  One thing is certain; there will always be a real estate market in this country.  We just don’t know what it will look like as changes occur in the months and years ahead.

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In childhood the focus was to have fun.  No one said this was my purpose, but early on I discovered that doing the things boys do was most enjoyable.  These things almost always involved other kids such as playing ball, roughhousing and just hanging out together.  These activities, even board games and cards, were all stimulating and usually had one common goal: to win.

As an only child I did things on my own like read, listen to the radio adventure series or later watch TV, practice various sports and, of course, do homework.  But being part of a group and succeeding within that community and competing with other communities is what I liked best.  The team was my family and my support group, yet I wanted to be the star that shined above all others and receive the attention that goes with it.

This self centered, selfish attitude, which I preferred to call ambition, was with me during the growing years to college and beyond.  When I first got into the business world, my eye was not on my peers but on the presidency of the firm.  Being number one was not just a goal, it became an obsession.  I vowed to do whatever it took to reach the top.

Such a strong desire for money, power and recognition was profitable for the companies I worked for and the clients I served; but it did little for my relationships, both in and outside of business.  For a guy who once thrived on belonging to a community and being part of a team this misplaced commitment left me rather lonely.

One would think that these empty feeling lead to a change of spirit.  However, the result was to push harder and win no matter what the cost.  I finally received a degree of success, but it wasn’t enough because chasing after more always meant I wanted more.  After many years this realization finally sunk in, it caused me to rethink my life and the self-imposed goals I placed on myself, which were actually restrictions. 

Admittedly, I wasn’t a particularly good husband, father or friend for my first 50 years or so but have gotten better in all these areas, I believe.  The few business dealings I have now are meaningful, because I try to do what’s right and deliver real value to the other person or company.  And, I get real joy from just being part of whatever community I am in and make whatever contributions I can without expectations.

When it’s all said and done, today I’m pretty much having the fun like I did as a kid.  Now, however, there are no preconceptions of needing to be the best.  I am more than satisfied to be together with others and participate in life’s activities.  The big shift is with my goals.  I no longer strive to do great things; I just want to do good things.  

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Probably it’s a combination of both.  This was confirmed on a recent one-day trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back.   While waiting in a long line to get through security, my mind wandered back to the early days when it took a matter of minutes to get from the parking lot or the taxi drop to my on-board seat.  For this one hour flight, I needed to arrive at the airport at least an hour before boarding time in order to be sure the flight did not leave without me.  

The image of these easier, softer times lingered in my mind as I took off my shoes, emptied my pockets and removed my belt then stuffed them into a plastic tray along with my jacket and briefcase.  The container then moved ahead on a conveyor belt to be x-rayed by the watchful eyes of TSA agents.  I could only hope that when I got through the process my belongings will not have disappeared, because no one seemed to pay attention to what went on with the trays after they were examined.

With the well-being of my stuff still of concern, I was asked to step into the examination booth.  Here I was instructed to stand with my legs slightly apart, raise my arms in a bent position and stand still.  The machine did its scan, and I was told to pass on.  Fortunately, the container with my things was waiting at the end of the conveyor.  I put the wallet, money clip and change back in my pocket and donned the jacket.  The few chairs in the area were taken; so I hopped around, going from one foot to the other, in order to get my shoes on.  I must remember to wear loafers, next time.

On my way to a distance gate, I observed that most of the travelers had a carry-on piece of luggage adorned with a computer case trailing behind them.  Most of these business people had a cell phone glued to their ears as well.  None of them seemed aware or interested in what was going on around them.  It was heads down and proceed straight ahead.  These folks were on their own individual missions.

The lounge area was a repeat of what I saw on the way there.  Only this time the hoards of men and women were seated — half still using their phones and the others using their laptops.  A few were multi-tasking, using both at the same time.  The few reading newspapers were older business people.  Only a handful carried a book, and these were mainly New Seniors, like me, who stood out like sore thumbs.

On board the sounds of scores of people all talking at once was disconcerting.  But the flight was quiet, since phones are off limits after takeoff.  No one spoke to neighboring passengers; they were busily engrossed with their computers.  I enjoyed this part of the experience but could not help but feel the people of today are missing out on the down time and personal interaction that was so much a part of air travel a few years ago.   

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It’s difficult to imagine what the Japanese have gone through or to think of the hardships the future will bring.  These are proud people and slow to complain.  However, with a region of the country virtually wiped out and the entire country affected in some way, their resolve will be tested and the blame game will have lasting financial and political ramifications. 

For now, the best thing the Japanese people can do is to deal with the present.  Maybe that’s the message we should all take from this tragedy: live in the moment.  We can plan, plot, strategize, scheme, project and worry about the future.  Yet, for the most part, there’s not much we can do to prevent the inevitable. 

Sure, protecting ones health may help prolong life and the quality of the days we have.  Insurance provides ways to pay for health care or replacement of possessions that are damaged.  And life insurance helps those left behind after we’re gone.  But these precautions prove powerless when it comes to altering the events of life, particularly the really big ones that are beyond our individual control.

Think of the life-changing moments we experienced here at home in the United States.  Last year there was the Gulf oil spill and the blizzards in the winter.  The spring flooding has just begun.  There will be tornadoes this summer and wild fires in the fall.  And, an earthquake or two will bring back thoughts of what Japan is going through right now.   

In the meantime, the Middle East remains a powder keg of unrest and is a major reason why gasoline prices continue to soar in this country.  Prices at the stores are steadily increasing, stocks are erratic, the housing market stinks and stagflation is looming its ugly head.  These warning signals have caused consumer confidence to slide.  In spite of these issues we continue to live our individual lives with as much hope as we can muster.

We have our families and friends.  These are the ones we protect against harm and would do whatever it takes to keep them safe.  The people in the Japanese quake zone and those who experienced the tsunami had no idea on that Friday morning this would be the worst day of their lives or that the pain and suffering was just beginning.  And, the problems continue today.

This suggests that we may be well served by not just living in the moment.  Instead, get off the merry-go-round, take a deep breath and enjoy the moment.  It won’t prevent the unpreventable, but it can bring us peace-of-mind in a world filled with crazy events.    

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Communications is moving faster than most people perceive, this is especially true with New Seniors.  As television brought the Vietnam War into America’s living rooms and the Internet put worldwide news at our finger tips, social media is making all events personal.  The recent revolution in Egypt and other Middle-East countries was fueled by reports and calls-to-action through Facebook and Twitter.

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Individuals connecting with other individuals through the Internet grew to critical mass, fast.  Bloggers provided the background information and promoted unrest.  Traditional media, such as state-run newspapers and television, could not keep pace with the tweets and other forms of messaging that used the Web to connect with protesters in spite of the government shutting down the Internet for a time.

Comparisons have been made between the early colonial pamphleteers and modern-day bloggers as the grass roots communicators of their respective periods in history.  Many claim that Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, “Common Sense,” was instrumental in bringing the colonists together in 1776.  It was read in public gatherings and was the most discussed writing leading up to the revolution.

While Americas are not trying to topple a regime, we are involved in a fiscal crisis that could result in a  revolutionary change in the powers of federal, state and local  governments as well as those working in the public sector.  And, while 24-hour cable news outlets will stay with breaking news, they won’t be the newsmakers.  The action is online; this is the place to be for news before it becomes news.

Those reading this article already go online.  Connecting with news Web sites is easy and the favorites should be bookmarked.  However, for those not using social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, there is a gap between personal observations and the more general news reports.

For those wanting to get an idea as to what the next generation of newsmakers is thinking get exposed to social media.  It’s the way to secure an inside view of what’s happening.  Enrollment is fast and easy.  Just go online to the network(s) you want and sign up.  It won’t be long before you move from being an observer to that of a participant.

Those of us 65+ didn’t spend our lives sitting on the sidelines.  Being a spectator is okay, but being in the game is even better.  So why not continue to do that now, when so much is going on?  Get online and surf around until you find what works for you.  Keep informed daily.  Then start letting your views be heard.  You have the experience to evaluate what is going on, and there are many folks out there who will appreciate what you have to say.

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With the exception of unity after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the nation was fractured during the early part of the past decade.  The people were rudderless, drifting in a sea of personal selfishness.  When the tidal wave of the Great Recession rolled in, all ships came crashing into the rocky shore of reality, with it came self-pity.

After all, most of us worked hard.  We bought groceries, computers, cars and houses.  We paid our bills and considered ourselves good citizens.  Of course, the marketers of goods and services promoted a buy-what-you-want attitude.  And, like good consumers, we continued to purchase as if there would never again be a downturn in the economy.  There was no rational reason for this.  We did it because everyone else was doing it.  The government did little to warn us; because it, too, was rolling up debt at record rates.

Even before the markets collapsed do to a burst in the housing bubble, bad mortgages and a host of other financial factors, Americans were not happy with the Administration.  So, the mid-term elections of 2006 brought in a divided government.  When the crisis hit, more change occurred, so a single party was propelled to power in the 2008 election. 

Dissatisfied with the continued poor employment situation, out-of-control spending that resulted in ever-increasing debt and over-extension of government involvement as well as control; the mid-terms produced another change in the composition of the Congress.  The battle lines in Washington have been draw as both parties prepare for the 2012 elections.

Don’t look to politicians to get us out of the doldrums.  This is the time when the dreamers with creative imaginations and entrepreneurial spirits are needed to set the country on the right course with innovative and bold new ideas.  The way out of crisis will come from good old American ingenuity.  Not from government intervention and regulation.  Our salvation depends on hard-working, dedicated people who see the needs of others and are inspired to create goods and services to fill these needs.

These men and women of all ages and from a wide range experiences are the leaders.  The ones we follow and imitate.  So the government must get out of the way and let those who are capable do what they do best.  The private sector is the answer to growth, while government control is the path that leads to the end of American exceptionalism.   

It’s really quite simple.  The government must get out of the way but should encourage, enable and support the re-release of the American spirit.  Only then will this great nation soar once more.