I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

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I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby Spence » Fri Apr 16, 2010 8:31 pm

"I'm 63 and I'm Tired"

by Robert A. Hall



I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard, since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.

I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.

I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought McMansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.

I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe , the freedom of the press of China , the crime and violence of Mexico , the tolerance for Christian people of Iran , and the freedom of speech of Venezuela .

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.

I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois .

I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government.

I'm tired of a news media that thinks Bush's fundraising and inaugural expenses were obscene, but that think Obama's, at triple the cost, were wonderful; that thinks Bush exercising daily was a waste of presidential time, but Obama exercising is a great example for the public to control weight and stress; that picked over every line of Bush's military records, but never demanded that Kerry release his; that slammed Palin, with two years as governor, for being too inexperienced for VP, but touted Obama with three years as senator as potentially the best president ever. Wonder why people are dropping their subscriptions or switching to Fox News? Get a clue. I didn't vote for Bush in 2000, but the media and Kerry drove me to his camp in 2004.

I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America , while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay, but I darn sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.

I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"? And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those are the citizens we need.

I'm tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.

I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois , where the "Illinois Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years. Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.



I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.

Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.

I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.

Yes, I'm darn tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.

Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.
"History doesn't always repeat itself but it often rhymes." - Mark Twain

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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby Dossenator » Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:43 pm

It's like this man is reading my mind...all but for one small statement I agree with everything he said. I am only 34 and I'm tired too. I hope in November the people make a statement and vote all the incumbents out of office. Let these people know if they are unwilling to represent the people then we will get rid of them. I also pray that men and women who actually want to serve will step forward and run for office. I am tired of having to choose between bad and worse when I vote.

I teach an older adults music class at 5 senior facilities....so, I spend a lot of top with the 60+ crowd...actually more like the 80+ crowd (I have several students who are over 100). That generation by no means was perfect but they got it. They new how to work, they loved country and God, and their main concern was to provide for their family and community. Even today, they don't seem to be concerned about getting the next big expensive toy...they are happy to have a place to live, friends and family around, and something to eat. And I bet that when they wanted something they saved and paid cash for it. There was none of this 10 credit cards, over sized morgages, 4 car families, etc. Spending is out of control...within government and on the personal level. I hope we, as a country, have not gone too far down the road of no return.
"A team with something to play for is dangerous, but a team with someone to play for is unstoppable..." Arkansas OL Brey Cook quote following the death of teammate Garrett Uekman (Nov. 2011).

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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby Derek » Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:44 pm

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) :!: :!: :!: :!:
They’re either going to run the ball here or their going to pass it.

The fewer rules a coach has, the fewer rules there are for players to break.

See, well ya see, the thing is, he should have caught that ball. But the ball is bigger than his hands.

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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby WoVeU » Sat Apr 17, 2010 10:26 am

Love it!

What kills me...I know there are more people that share this sentiment than there are those that directly oppose it! Yet, the beat goes on! The victory comes form those getting some hand-outs that didn't 7 or 8 years ago. EIC is the big one, along with expanded food stamps and unemployment compensation.

Hey, while I am at it, what do we have now...people on unemployment like 2 years running now Another extension just given out! Seriously, get a job in services, a lower sales job, or beg for one of the vanishing $11/hr manufacturing job (secondarily assembling foreign goods.)
Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby billybud » Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:42 pm

Small time hand outs...

The real hand outs were the multi million dollar bonuses given out to thousands of banking and Wall Street execs as they failed to do their job. The billions in payouts to firms for failing to run a business properly.

New York financial companies lost 35 billion in 2008, but still gave out 18.4 million in bonuses for the year. How much is from tax payer money? That is not clear.
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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby Spence » Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:46 pm

billybud wrote:Small time hand outs...

The real hand outs were the multi million dollar bonuses given out to thousands of banking and Wall Street execs as they failed to do their job. The billions in payouts to firms for failing to run a business properly.

New York financial companies lost 35 billion in 2008, but still gave out 18.4 million in bonuses for the year. How much is from tax payer money? That is not clear.



I'm not a fan of giving wall street tax money either. Companies that can't meet their bottom line should fail. The "too big to fail " crap is just that.

They aren't small time handouts, though. Thing of the money that has been pumped into these failed government programs since the 1960's. It is obscene.
"History doesn't always repeat itself but it often rhymes." - Mark Twain

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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby billybud » Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:01 pm

Spence..re "small time"...I was referring to the nickel and dime unemployemnt compensation payments...referred to by another poster.

I know quite a bit about the UC system since I wrote amended pieces of the Florida statute after working with business and labor organizations. I was lucky enough to be certified by the USDOL as an expert in federal UC law (known as Unemployment Insurance by feds and Unemployment Compensation by the state).

But all in all, in Florida, it boils down to a person getting a maximum of 50% of their average wage (first four of the last five quarters) to a max of $275 week.
“If short hair and good manners won football games, Army and Navy would play for the national championship every year.”

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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby Spence » Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:40 pm

billybud wrote:Spence..re "small time"...I was referring to the nickel and dime unemployemnt compensation payments...referred to by another poster.

I know quite a bit about the UC system since I wrote amended pieces of the Florida statute after working with business and labor organizations. I was lucky enough to be certified by the USDOL as an expert in federal UC law (known as Unemployment Insurance by feds and Unemployment Compensation by the state).

But all in all, in Florida, it boils down to a person getting a maximum of 50% of their average wage (first four of the last five quarters) to a max of $275 week.


Oh, I agree about the unemployment. I think the opposition to that was more about making a point - "pay for it and we'll vote on it" kind of thing. This administration - more then any other I have known - talks a lot about paying as you go, but they don't seem to pay for anything. Business as usual in Washington for sure, but the amount of dishonesty is amazing. Guess he learned lots about Chicago politics and brought it forward.

I am just tired of people being about to declare they are a drug addict and get SSI. I don't think all the government support of private industry is a good idea either, but at least there are jobs in that.


The fact that 45% of people do not pay taxes is completely unexceptable. We need jobs for these people and they need to get to work and talk responsibility for themselves.
"History doesn't always repeat itself but it often rhymes." - Mark Twain

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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby billybud » Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:04 am

And the fact that the majority of businesses do not pay taxes is unacceptable as well?
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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby billybud » Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:08 am

The UC money is pay as you go...all state statutes have a formula for payroll taxes that is triggered by the UC trust fund level for that state. The trust funds are biblical in nature. Put up in the seven years of feast for that year of famine. Trust funds are now becoming depleted because of the severity of this recession (something Florida hasn't seen in 40 years). The depletion triggers increases in payroll taxes sufficient to return the trust fund to a predetermined balance.
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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby donovan » Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:44 am

I think when you are talking about taxes, Unemployment Compensation and Workers Compensation only mask the issue. These are insurances where premiums are paid. I do not know about every state, I suppose, most by the employer and in some a contribution by the employee. Has it been abused, sure....but it is spit in the ocean to the real problem.

We should not have a tax system where a business can conduct its affairs so it lessens their tax obligation. Likewise for individuals. Taxes should not be a motivation for fiscal decisions.

This country does not want tax reform, we want government to do everything for us. That costs money. So until we decide to limit what we want government to do, live with the escalation of what we have.

Talk about biblical basis for taxation. Read the 8th chapter of Samuel and you will see what was prophesied when the people turn to government running the affairs rather than doing it themselves.
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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby Spence » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:11 am

billybud wrote:And the fact that the majority of businesses do not pay taxes is unacceptable as well?


No business pays taxes. They all pass their tax liability on to the consumer. No matter what the government decides they have to pay that cost is a part of their "cost of doing business". The whole "businesses do not pay taxes" argument is just a ruse to create division among the people. It is a smoke and mirror way to get people to support a tax increase. Businesses can't be taxed any more then a buliding or a blade of grass can be taxed. Only people can be taxed because only people earn money. You can tax tax the rich, but the top 5% of wage earners already pay 50% of the tax burden. You can tax the rest of tax payers but they are paying close to a third of their income to support the whims of politicians of both parties. We need to put more people back to work - not just the 10% that the government says are unemployed, but also the people who stopped being counted sime time ago. We need personal responsibility. We also need to help our neighbors if they need help. Especially if we are a little better off then them. It is up to us - individually - to help those less fortunate. Not the government. They have tried and failed and failed and failed and failed.
"History doesn't always repeat itself but it often rhymes." - Mark Twain

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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby WoVeU » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:46 am

Company's continue to shop for slave labor. The US as a whole just turns more an more into one of the smaller textile towns you'd find in SC or Georgia, or like an abandoned neighborhood in Detroit. The scale has gotten bigger, why Big Companies and Conglos shop for their next group of people to prostitute. Greedy business is the start of all the woes. Social programs can't start where the needy aren't lined up in mass. Businesses tell people what thye need, promise wonderful employment, and tout a strong economy base by the subscription to their plan. Promises and the delivery on these slip as the business is grown and profit margins slip. They consume away and then move on to a new place. Behind them is a wake of tragedy. Most business that have a ticker symbol are just a modern day micro dust bowl. With environmental protections preventing them from profiting through ecological devastation in addition to the human milling..the attraction to move the herd across waters to new grass lands expands exponentially!
Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
R. Reagan

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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby donovan » Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:33 am

Gosh Wo, you have his speeches down pat, maybe He's your solution.
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Re: I'm 63 and tired, by Robert A. Hall

Postby billybud » Mon Apr 19, 2010 10:43 am

LOL...that was good..and spot on.
“If short hair and good manners won football games, Army and Navy would play for the national championship every year.”


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