Susan, thank you for this post! I am working on something along the same lines to be posted tomorrow. Our seniors are still worth it. We have so much experience and wisdom to share, and many of us are still active, although not so mobile. We deserve to be treated with the respect we earned and not shoved off to die in a home.
Thanks for reading…It’s so frustrating to not be respected as we should be, as, like you said, so much experience and wisdom to share! Japan has a Respect for the Aged Day, honoring their older citizens. We should do that in America! 💙
Seen enough, MAGAts? We’re all victims of the DOGE dodge, where trump has Elon, and his ElonYouth, cut programs that benefit 99% of us, to pay for tax cuts for the 1%. Wake up, MAGAts!
Thanks for another good read, Susan. It will stick with me.
My husband is a vet and a federal employee. He’s 66 and due to a variety of life events we’d figured out he needed to work until he’s 70 or 72. He’s healthy and his job is not physically taxing so while not ideal it’s ok, we made our peace with it.
Additionally, for 25 years now we have been raising a nephew with profound autism so we also rely on SSI and Medicaid to meet his needs. Needs, not frivolous luxuries. He has no way to provide for or care for himself.
We are furious and terrified.
My mom is 84 and voted Trump and refuses to hear a word from me (or anyone else) on how the things happening now could hurt her destroy us.
Oh, Susan…. your situation does sound terrifying. I am so sorry. The very people who have worked hard and are doing all the right things are the ones getting treated like crap.
It’s interesting about your mom, because my friend's dad just turned 100…he’s a veteran from WW2 and still quite sharp. My friend has tried to get him to understand what is happening…and he wont hear it. I’ll never understand. If the country has so many people who are duped into thinking authoritarianism will be good for them, then I have no idea what we do.
I finally read your piece this morning, and I was very moved by your story about your 85-year-old friend. I cried. Our seniors are rapidly becoming the forgotten generation. Racism may not be cool among the young but ageism is alive and kicking. Our values and experience are pissed on, but we are getting extremely PISSED OFF! Thank you Susan for speaking!
It does. I read the chapter Phillipians through every day for 30 days. God has always provided for me, he takes care of the birds. But oh I cry with this senior citizen. The fastest growing segment of the homeless people are women over 50. My skin has broken out since Felon47 became President wandering if I will be homeless again. I cry with this lady. It is wrong what President Musk & Felon47 are doing.
Thanks for this Susan. I sometimes get people responding to my memes with “that won’t work” or “nice try, but….” My response is as long as it’s a thorn in Orange Turd’s thin skin, it’s worth it. Fight back however you can.
I think about this a lot. I worry about Social Security that I try (and can't) to live on and Medicare that I need. I keep my nursing license active, but been retired for 3 years. I wonder how many elderly will end up homeless. I keep thinking I could take some in, help care for them if we come to that. I have a large home. What an awful way to get old.
That's awesome that you keep your license active, Kathy. At some point, I see more and more of us helping our seniors on our own. Medicare is so vital, too. Without it, we simply couldn't afford the care we need. Why other countries make universal healthcare a reality and not America just points to the greed in our government. It IS awful.
As for seniors, many of whom may have voted for Trump, all those medicines they take will be higher because of his extra tariffs and getting rid of the Biden limit on senior drug costs. Of course, if you just kill off all the people who can’t afford meds, just think of how much money you can save the government!
Nice piece. That part about being emotionally abusive is real pain they inflict on voters. They don't care, never have. I expect them to be the rat fuckers they are. People aren't following King Shitpants because they're sheep. They're following him because they're misogynistic bigots. It's not the economy. It's Amerkkka. They're broke ass can spend money on Shitpants costumes and their grifting scams.
That's why we have to light a fire under the Democrats ass. They have been complicit in caving into the corporate overloads, repeatedly. The fact that they cannot unite a front, is beyond disappointment and eye opening at the same time. My trust has dropped.
I'm supposed to have a birthday lunch with some friends. My oldest friend comes off sweet as can be, however, she's full on white nationalist. I had to explain white privilege to her. She still doesn't get it. She wants God in government. She's always been a Bible thumper. I'm dreading this lunch. 😫 I'm really angry. Fuck! I can't get triggered by the dickless, spineless, bigoted, misogynistic, cat turds of humanity. I expect this. Now, we fight. It's going to take a grassroots uprising. Otherwise, we might as well stick our heads between our own legs and kiss our ass goodbye. Love ya!😉😅 ❤️
Happy Birthday ... but lunch with a White Nationalist? Come on.... you're gonna need an extra gummy. 😂
Yeah, the Dems have been a disappointment. (Do NOT start with me about fucking Fetterman) They better get their shit together or they'll be washing dishes in the Merdo-Lago rat infested golf motel. LOVE you!!
🤣🤣🤣 I'll need 2 gummies and a martini to wash them down. I'm still trying to get out of it. Thanks for the happy birthday. Much appreciated. Love you back.
I wonder because I am on it all the time. One must remember every brain is different. Left brain and right brain are well understood, but the other brain personalities are the bull, the persuader, the follower, and the accountant. And then we have damaged brains: psychopaths and sociopaths. Those that have no empathy are damaged in adolescence and are psychopathic to varying degrees. As an empath, I have to give them their leave, but I can be active to work on penetrating their psychosis. It is possible. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/a-movements-success?r=3m1bs
Substack lets you be here Free for most writers, often for a limited time or for half a post (eg., I can hear/read Adam Kinzinger for 5 minutes and then it’s “paid” level to get all of it. Ann Telnaes, too. Many are like that. Others (Michael deAdder) have a full paywall. I’m sure you know all this. Duh. So thank you for the discounted rate.
Still, I can’t afford to have more than maybe 3 subscriptions. (75-yo senior, SS + a little savings)That’s almost like Sophie’s Choice!
Is there any way to get Substack to have a “group rate” or sliding scale of some sort? Like 3 subscriptions for $100, 5 for $200, or some other creative thing? Or instead of 5 days a week, you could choose some other configuration?
The solution is for better minds than mine to concoct, but so many of us are desperate now that we’ve lost any hope of lasting integrity in rags like WaPo (still many good folks there, but when does the guillotine get bloody again?).
I’ve taken enough electrons for now, as a newbie at your table; but thanks for allowing me a space.
I think Jay Kuo and Scott Dworkin, among a few other bigger names here, have the right idea. Everything is free, including commenting permissions. They figure eventually you'll pay if you can, and if you can't, they're happy to have you as a reader.
Hey Chris... I agree with you wholeheartedly. I have no idea how to devise such a payment level...I wish they would. It gets really expensive to follow all the great writers I want to read. I have seen this question before, though. I'll try to funnel it to the admins at Substack! And thanks you for being here... I appreciate it!
I'll give up when I'm 6 ft. under. Social Security is YOUR money! DEMAND YOUR MONEY! I worked too fucking hard to get fucked over at the end. These fuckers are pure evil. And when it comes down to it, there's only one way to deal with pure evil. 😡😡
Susan, thank you for this post! I am working on something along the same lines to be posted tomorrow. Our seniors are still worth it. We have so much experience and wisdom to share, and many of us are still active, although not so mobile. We deserve to be treated with the respect we earned and not shoved off to die in a home.
Thanks for reading…It’s so frustrating to not be respected as we should be, as, like you said, so much experience and wisdom to share! Japan has a Respect for the Aged Day, honoring their older citizens. We should do that in America! 💙
you said it… Shitty people… And unfortunately, there’s more than a few of them out here… Just check nursing homes😎
Seen enough, MAGAts? We’re all victims of the DOGE dodge, where trump has Elon, and his ElonYouth, cut programs that benefit 99% of us, to pay for tax cuts for the 1%. Wake up, MAGAts!
Thanks for another good read, Susan. It will stick with me.
My husband is a vet and a federal employee. He’s 66 and due to a variety of life events we’d figured out he needed to work until he’s 70 or 72. He’s healthy and his job is not physically taxing so while not ideal it’s ok, we made our peace with it.
Additionally, for 25 years now we have been raising a nephew with profound autism so we also rely on SSI and Medicaid to meet his needs. Needs, not frivolous luxuries. He has no way to provide for or care for himself.
We are furious and terrified.
My mom is 84 and voted Trump and refuses to hear a word from me (or anyone else) on how the things happening now could hurt her destroy us.
Oh, Susan…. your situation does sound terrifying. I am so sorry. The very people who have worked hard and are doing all the right things are the ones getting treated like crap.
It’s interesting about your mom, because my friend's dad just turned 100…he’s a veteran from WW2 and still quite sharp. My friend has tried to get him to understand what is happening…and he wont hear it. I’ll never understand. If the country has so many people who are duped into thinking authoritarianism will be good for them, then I have no idea what we do.
I finally read your piece this morning, and I was very moved by your story about your 85-year-old friend. I cried. Our seniors are rapidly becoming the forgotten generation. Racism may not be cool among the young but ageism is alive and kicking. Our values and experience are pissed on, but we are getting extremely PISSED OFF! Thank you Susan for speaking!
Ageism pushed me out of the advertising business. It was incredibly disappointing. I was told time and again I was “overqualified". 🤦♀️
The lack of empathy and concern shown towards older Americans is nothing short of criminal. I am so glad you shared your thoughts, Stephanie.
I hate waking up some mornings!
I don’t like to drink alone!
I hear ya…. if it wasnt for coffee, though…😃
If I didn’t love coffee so much I’d just start day drinking!
LOL. Believe me, I’ve thought about it.
(I guess I’m too old now for such activity!)
It does. I read the chapter Phillipians through every day for 30 days. God has always provided for me, he takes care of the birds. But oh I cry with this senior citizen. The fastest growing segment of the homeless people are women over 50. My skin has broken out since Felon47 became President wandering if I will be homeless again. I cry with this lady. It is wrong what President Musk & Felon47 are doing.
I worry too. Then I tell myself God has provided for me so far.
Gratitude is the thing that I think will carry us personally through, Gloria. It lightens the load.
Thanks for this Susan. I sometimes get people responding to my memes with “that won’t work” or “nice try, but….” My response is as long as it’s a thorn in Orange Turd’s thin skin, it’s worth it. Fight back however you can.
Every little thing... you bet!
Simple.
MAGApublicans and their "christian" buds. Give me the money, get out of the way and die in the street as examples for the rest.
Yup. Sadly true. :(
Have a loving, peaceful 2025, Susan!
My best wishes to you as well. We’ll find a way. ✌️
I think about this a lot. I worry about Social Security that I try (and can't) to live on and Medicare that I need. I keep my nursing license active, but been retired for 3 years. I wonder how many elderly will end up homeless. I keep thinking I could take some in, help care for them if we come to that. I have a large home. What an awful way to get old.
That's awesome that you keep your license active, Kathy. At some point, I see more and more of us helping our seniors on our own. Medicare is so vital, too. Without it, we simply couldn't afford the care we need. Why other countries make universal healthcare a reality and not America just points to the greed in our government. It IS awful.
As for seniors, many of whom may have voted for Trump, all those medicines they take will be higher because of his extra tariffs and getting rid of the Biden limit on senior drug costs. Of course, if you just kill off all the people who can’t afford meds, just think of how much money you can save the government!
And, recently Trump said he would like to TAX prescription medicine! It's beyond cruel, Carol. It all makes me sick. 😭
Nice piece. That part about being emotionally abusive is real pain they inflict on voters. They don't care, never have. I expect them to be the rat fuckers they are. People aren't following King Shitpants because they're sheep. They're following him because they're misogynistic bigots. It's not the economy. It's Amerkkka. They're broke ass can spend money on Shitpants costumes and their grifting scams.
That's why we have to light a fire under the Democrats ass. They have been complicit in caving into the corporate overloads, repeatedly. The fact that they cannot unite a front, is beyond disappointment and eye opening at the same time. My trust has dropped.
I'm supposed to have a birthday lunch with some friends. My oldest friend comes off sweet as can be, however, she's full on white nationalist. I had to explain white privilege to her. She still doesn't get it. She wants God in government. She's always been a Bible thumper. I'm dreading this lunch. 😫 I'm really angry. Fuck! I can't get triggered by the dickless, spineless, bigoted, misogynistic, cat turds of humanity. I expect this. Now, we fight. It's going to take a grassroots uprising. Otherwise, we might as well stick our heads between our own legs and kiss our ass goodbye. Love ya!😉😅 ❤️
Happy Birthday ... but lunch with a White Nationalist? Come on.... you're gonna need an extra gummy. 😂
Yeah, the Dems have been a disappointment. (Do NOT start with me about fucking Fetterman) They better get their shit together or they'll be washing dishes in the Merdo-Lago rat infested golf motel. LOVE you!!
🤣🤣🤣 I'll need 2 gummies and a martini to wash them down. I'm still trying to get out of it. Thanks for the happy birthday. Much appreciated. Love you back.
I wonder because I am on it all the time. One must remember every brain is different. Left brain and right brain are well understood, but the other brain personalities are the bull, the persuader, the follower, and the accountant. And then we have damaged brains: psychopaths and sociopaths. Those that have no empathy are damaged in adolescence and are psychopathic to varying degrees. As an empath, I have to give them their leave, but I can be active to work on penetrating their psychosis. It is possible. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/a-movements-success?r=3m1bs
Of course…every brain is different. It would seem the psychopaths and sociopaths have all been voted into the Republican party!
The distinction is made here. We face psychopathic neo-fascists. Rolls off the tongue like Isabella Rossellini. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/white-house-psychopathy?r=3m1bs
Hi Susan,
Maybe you’re the one to pitch this to:
Substack lets you be here Free for most writers, often for a limited time or for half a post (eg., I can hear/read Adam Kinzinger for 5 minutes and then it’s “paid” level to get all of it. Ann Telnaes, too. Many are like that. Others (Michael deAdder) have a full paywall. I’m sure you know all this. Duh. So thank you for the discounted rate.
Still, I can’t afford to have more than maybe 3 subscriptions. (75-yo senior, SS + a little savings)That’s almost like Sophie’s Choice!
Is there any way to get Substack to have a “group rate” or sliding scale of some sort? Like 3 subscriptions for $100, 5 for $200, or some other creative thing? Or instead of 5 days a week, you could choose some other configuration?
The solution is for better minds than mine to concoct, but so many of us are desperate now that we’ve lost any hope of lasting integrity in rags like WaPo (still many good folks there, but when does the guillotine get bloody again?).
I’ve taken enough electrons for now, as a newbie at your table; but thanks for allowing me a space.
Peace,
Chris M.
I think Jay Kuo and Scott Dworkin, among a few other bigger names here, have the right idea. Everything is free, including commenting permissions. They figure eventually you'll pay if you can, and if you can't, they're happy to have you as a reader.
Same here. I’m just glad someone is reading!! 😂
Yep, I know. It's what I do as well. I'm glad I started reading Jay's substack before I put mine into full swing. I mimicked his approach.
Hey Chris... I agree with you wholeheartedly. I have no idea how to devise such a payment level...I wish they would. It gets really expensive to follow all the great writers I want to read. I have seen this question before, though. I'll try to funnel it to the admins at Substack! And thanks you for being here... I appreciate it!
I'll give up when I'm 6 ft. under. Social Security is YOUR money! DEMAND YOUR MONEY! I worked too fucking hard to get fucked over at the end. These fuckers are pure evil. And when it comes down to it, there's only one way to deal with pure evil. 😡😡
It is OUR MONEY! This is a level of evil the same as Hitler... their hero.
And I'm afraid that it's going to take the same effort to defeat it.