Microcosm

I struggle with having a philosophy for life that aligns with being a "conservative" democrat or a "liberal" republican. I do not feel that either political party does a sufficient job of stating a platform that speaks for me as a citizen. I doubt that I'm the only one. As the director of an entity that provides services for retirees, I got to thinking how that population is a microcosm of the larger population's relationship with government.

Usually there are three choices for living out the final third of our lives. Some retirees tenanciously cling to independence and self-sufficiency; others seek communal living in exchange for a fee. Yet another growing trend is for people to continue living in their own homes while paying for services that include food, home maintenance, access to healthcare (or continuum of care), transportation and fellowship. The key to which option is chosen boils down to TRUST. It's imperative that retirees receive full disclosure about what services they will get in exchange for their money, and assurance that they will not be taken advantage of by increasing fees while decreasing services.

The American public is the same. Our grave disenfranchisement with out government stems from pillage that has happened to both political parties. Perhaps I'm a Pollyana to believe things have gotten worse, but today's media spells out for us just how morally corrupt, deceptive and fiscally irresponsible the politicians are that we elect to office. And then we wonder why a need as basic as providing healthcare for all American people hasn't passed. No one knows who they can trust. Until there is complete disclosure about the type of healthcare we will receive and the amount of taxes we will be assessed, as well as assurance that we will have reputable leadership providing oversight, I worry that we may never get there.