06-02-2024, 02:44 PM
(06-02-2024, 12:15 PM)Oh_hunnihunni Wrote: I am dependent on the state. Lots of us are as we age, and we are very grateful to have that support. I own very little these days, receive much, and am truly a very happy woman. Strangely enough, I couldn't say that of many times when I was independent, well off, and sitting on a cushion of assets. Nope, to each according to his needs sounds pretty fair to me.
Wealth does not guarantee happiness, but I guess there is only one way to discover the truth of that.
Similar situation for me; in the past it was the norm for families to take care of their elderly members. The alternative was the workhouse. Or starvation.
In slightly more enlightened times, we have various govts providing old age pensions. And unemployment benefits, sickness benefits etc. etc. because of that past.
Because somehow, politicians were made to understand that a part of their job was to ensure the well being of the people of their country. Not a perfect system by any means - but it worked well.
in order to be old & wise, you must first be young & stupid. (I'm still working on that.)