As a young person they have a point, the economy is messed yes but its not our fault, we should not fix it, but we should change it so it does not come to these problems.

All i see when people work to 60+ is people working then dying, no real time to enjoy all the years they put in. when they are old and less able.

Worldwide, the "pressure" is sure to increase, for everyone to not only work longer, but harder, as the global economy collapses, no matter what our age happens to be.

Here in the USA, most non-wealthy "retirement age" folks must continue to toil, essentially as long as their health holds out. Of course, this is far from the official fantasy, but like it or not, that's the direction most of the world must head. A couple of reasons: First, the world economy, as it has unfolded over the past decades, was always unsustainable. Most people are aware that the original "retirement age" set in the US during the Roosevelt Administration, was originally just the usual political empty promise. Statistics showed that most Americans would never collect on the promise, based on the mortality rates of the era.

But the equation changed. On one side of the retirement benefit equation, the old mortality rates fell, due to things like medical advancements, lifestyle changes, etc.. On the other side of the equation, an ever-expanding work force, that could always pay more into the system, suffered as well. Widely available abortion, changing social norms (like smaller families being more desirable), changing immigration policies...it all led to our currently aging population "problem".

But if that's the problem, then what's the solution? The powers that be seem to be in agreement that at minimum, people must work longer. Given the lies of the past, perhaps it makes sense. But this would only be if they chose the "softer, gentler" approach. The other approach is far more grisly. War, famine, flat-out extermination. These "tools" can also be used!

So, all of us can complain about these changes, but the bigger picture is that our masters may have a different agenda. Many people think that one of the goals that the elite have, is to basically make us slaves, to toil on a worldwide "plantation", a future dystopia of their making. Lots of reasons to believe this, and if it's true, then the French, as well as the rest of us, have much bigger problems than working a few more years.

A question beneath the issue could be brought out too, namely, what of the "morality" of this situation? In other words, how do we feel about how our parents or grandparents should be treated, after so many years of contributing to a system? The answers can be all over the board of course, but it could be a good starting point.

Years ago, in one of my previous careers, I worked at a company, managed a department, etc. This company had the rather noble "policy" of trying to hire older people, and as a result, there were a number of folks well into their 70's that worked there. My oldest employee was 68, but she was "young" compared to some! One day, I was chatting with the old lady who worked in the mail-room, and she was just dying of her aches and pains it seemed. I tried to be diplomatic, wondering "how she could keep going" at age 79...

She explained that she had "no choice". Her husband, older than she was, needed medications that simply were not fully covered under Medicare. I still wasn't getting it. She went on to tell me that Medicare left a monthly medical deficit of over $2,000 per month for this elderly couple! SO, she worked, mainly for the BENEFITS that the job provided, which left her a bit to buy "dog food" at the end of the month. Surely, she was joking...

Sadly, this very hard working woman was only one of several that I spoke to over a period of four years, each with similar stories.

Is it any wonder that almost ANY medical coverage today could be pushed through Congress in the USSA? Anything might be better than virtually nothing. And "nothing" is what millions in America have in terms of true medical coverage.

Yes, I drifted into "medical", vs. retirement, but they're intimately related of course. What would be nice is a real, "comprehensive" solution...

But that would never fly in the US...maybe in France?

JR

It is different here in the U.S. most people aren't holding their breath hoping the government will keep their end of the bargain.

There is no other option than to rise retirement age. People are living longer, and demographicaly the ratio of retired people to working people is increasing. The pension system is not set in stone, and must change with the society changing. Another option is to lower the pensions, but that would be an unpopular solution, too.

France is taxed a lot more, so they get to retire sooner, you essentially buy an earlier retirement with tax dollars. So if you in high and mighty America decide you wanted to save more money from the day you enter the work force so that you can retire a few years before your peers, that would make you lazy? Having money for the future, is lazy? Why would you take the higher tax and also get less for it than the previous generation of workers? I don't see your logic I guess.

The youth are probably Muslim immigrants they always cry foul
lets not forget they want to turn french into a islamica junk town.



I feel sad for french.

Do not forget they are to be to blamed for the last chaos they caused.

[edit on 27-6-2010 by Agent_USA_Supporter]

It might make sense to raise it here too. The baby boomers are always bragging about how 55 is the new 45, well maybe 75 is the new 65!

What F's me off more is that these kinda of policys only effect those on the bottom, the upper-middle class can retire at 50+ if they put enough money aside. The people setting these policys will surely retire when they feel like it. As for those working #, dead end jobs? Well, you work till you die, your not entitled to life.