Why do we always feel the need to call old people senior "citizens"? Why be that specific? Do we really have a big problem with a lot of senior illegal aliens? Slipping across the border and into an empty nursing home bed on our side of the Rio Grande?
And what about senior LEGAL aliens, seniors here on tourist visas, etc. I have the same problem with "African-American." I can often tell that someone is of African heritage, but I can't tell they're American unless I see their passport.
Perhaps "senior citizens" is considered more polite than "wrinklies" or "old farts"?
People do like to label other people and anyone who has exceed sixty five successive years of avoiding death should have some sort of label. Also a badge or a really big hat.
It began as a way to designate old people as a distinct set of honored wards of the state, when FDR introduced Social Security.
And mark my words, Boomers who feared their elders in the 60s will soon be writing essays in all known media venues 24/7 about how all of society should be based on care and respect for this noble, long-serving, fragile demographic (of which they happen to be part). It will be the new "think of the children."
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And what about senior LEGAL aliens, seniors here on tourist visas, etc. I have the same problem with "African-American." I can often tell that someone is of African heritage, but I can't tell they're American unless I see their passport.
Perhaps "senior citizens" is considered more polite than "wrinklies" or "old farts"?
People do like to label other people and anyone who has exceed sixty five successive years of avoiding death should have some sort of label. Also a badge or a really big hat.
It began as a way to designate old people as a distinct set of honored wards of the state, when FDR introduced Social Security.
And mark my words, Boomers who feared their elders in the 60s will soon be writing essays in all known media venues 24/7 about how all of society should be based on care and respect for this noble, long-serving, fragile demographic (of which they happen to be part). It will be the new "think of the children."
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