Dr Val Guest Blogs: Are You Safe America?

Dr Val, formerly of the Voice of Reason at Revolution Health, is in a transition.  She's done some incredible stuff and there's more to come.  Awaiting delivery of her new home, Getting Better with Dr Val, she has been invited to guest blog on other noteworthy sites.  I found her at GruntDoc as well as Dr Rob.  I gave her an open invitation to blog here at Happy's world.  Dr Val,  you can post anytime you like. 

 She took up my offer with a scary story that should make all Americans sit back and reevaluate their lifestyles.  Running out of money at 90 years old.  Are you safe America?  

In Dr Val's own words:  

Will You Outlive Your Savings?

“The government can’t force people to be responsible.”

 

– Bill O’Reilly

 

My pediatrician is 90 years old. He worked hard and invested his money until age 65, and then retired. He told me that he is about to outlive his savings, and he worries that he will lose his home shortly. It disturbs me to think that such a hard working, responsible person who devoted his life to caring for sick children could end his days homeless and penniless. This is the reality of our current economy – even the most conservative investors are seeing their monthly income dwindle. And if a retired physician is having a hard time surviving, what will happen to the average American?

 

I hope that we make it through this time of economic uncertainty, and that the investments on which retirees are depending make a rapid comeback. But I’m not confident of that outcome. What I do know is that our citizens are aging, chronic disease and obesity are on the rise, the Wall Street gang has gambled away billions of dollars on bad home loans and tax payers will have to bail them out.

 

What does the future hold for America? Probably higher taxes, healthcare rationing, and lower incomes. I am sad that this generation will be less prosperous than the previous one, but maybe the economic hardship will build character in us all?  Part of me wonders if we could turn this around if we all worked together – buying American, carpooling, making the lifestyle and dietary changes to keep ourselves healthy, sharing resources, making do with less, and investing in our retirement from an early age.

 

Unfortunately, Dr. Wes is probably right: “Like the 12-step program for Gambler's Anonymous, we must first acknowledge we have a problem and are addicted to shiny objects, the opulent, and the whizbang.” http://drwes.blogspot.com/2008/09/our-healthcare-hindenburg.html Will this generation be willing to roll up their sleeves, forgo the extra toys, and not spend beyond their means?

 

I don’t think the government is able to solve this without our help. While they keep a closer eye on the financial industry, we also need to take some personal responsibility for our health, spend within our means, and plan our retirement nest egg to weather some pretty powerful storms. Even then there are no guarantees. We may all end up homeless in our 90s, doctors and all.