Crucial Point #1 – Spiraling Costs Weakening Economy – we need your powerful voice.

This is what Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve Chairman, said to the Senate Budget Committee in January:

"Once again, members of Congress have been warned that the spiraling costs in Social Security and Medicare presents a looming "crisis" for the country. If early and meaningful action is not taken, the U.S. economy could be seriously weakened, with future generations bearing much of the cost. The longer we wait, the more severe, the more Draconian, the more difficult the objective - the adjustments - are going to be," he said. "I think the right time to start is about 10 years ago."

Bill Novelli, CEO of AARP added his voice to this subject by saying: "If we don’t act soon, the next generation will be the first to be less well off than their parents.” In the meantime, a few Senators have taken action.

Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., for instance, has introduced legislation that would give employers a tax credit for establishing flexible work schedules that enable older employees to stay on the job without losing benefits. Once financial incentives are offered to employers, flex schedules will be institutionalized across America.

Ask yourself: Are we at a crucial point and what needs to change very soon? Should you add your voice to influencing decisions related to Social Security and Medicare? Swallow hard before responding…Federal spending for Social Security and Medicare accounted for about 8.5% of the economy in 2006. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this figure is expected to be 17% by 2030 if nothing changes.

…Social action is a career inherited from the '60’s. Take a trip back to a time when every cause was passionate and purposeful. There is still time to re-ignite the smoldering embers from the past and change the world.

Crucial Point #2 – Education of America’s children – a desperate cry for your help.

Does your state have a sufficiently educated labor force to replace boomers as they retire? If it doesn’t, will your hometown experience greater poverty and those ugly sisters of poverty – high crime and misdemeanors?

Are parents and schools doing the job that is needed to ensure our children and their children will have the skills and education to compete in a highly sophisticated workforce where knowledge of science, math and exceptional communications will rule the day?

Did you know that the United States’ public school attainment is lower and the dropout rate is the highest among developed nations? Did you know that we rank below average in understanding science and mathematics? Did you know that the ratio of college-educated adults entering the workforce to general population (33%) is below the mean of other developed countries. Where does your community rank? You should know because you, you mature warrior from the past, are the catalyst for change in the future.

Ask yourself: Are we at a crucial point and what needs to change very soon? Can (and will) mature workers change the outcomes of an under-educated emerging workforce? Can we take on some of the task of tutoring, mentoring and otherwise educating our younger generations? Have you read the "report-card” about how your state is doing in the area of public education? Be afraid for the future if some of you don’t act and act very soon!

May I recommend that you go to www.ets.org/research/pic - This is the Educational Testing Service. Download their report - "America’s Perfect Storm” – a startlingly brutal and chilling reading experience. Or, download the PDF version of "America’s Perfect Storm: Three Forces Changing Our Nation’s Future.”

A Crucial Point in Time - When Something Begins

AMERICA IS SEARCHING FOR A FEW MORE HEROES AND THIS BRINGS US TO YOU. The previous two examples lead my list of opportunities where, by getting involved in finding solutions, you can best serve your country, your community and your family. No matter what your age is today, remember that working for causes and doing good for others is an age-proof, legacy-creating "job.”

SOMETHING NEW IS ABOUT TO BEGIN FOR ME AND FOR YOU!

After several interesting years with Spherion where I was privileged to launch their initiatives on behalf of the mature workforce – they are now members of the National Employer’s Team with AARP and well established as staffing and recruiting pioneers in helping people, at all stages of maturity, to continue to contribute to the world of work.

A new day has dawned for me and, while I expect to continue as Spherion’s spokesperson and subject-matter expert for the mature generation, a new but limited arrangement will provide me with the opportunity to pursue related interests that I have been longing to tackle.

Visit me at www.agelessinamerica.com for a glimpse into the new adventures of an old friend. And, I’ll be in touch with you as the monthly newsletter will continue to keep you informed of issues, concerns and activities of the 50+ crowd.

Lest you think, as some friends have expressed, that it is rather late for me to begin anew, I can only reply - If not now, when?

And, so… while I am a little worse for the wear and tear of accumulated years,
I am off on the hero’s journey to the future.
There are still more windmills to fight, Don Quixote!

Aloha

Carleen "The Voice of the Mature Workforce” MacKay

carleenmackay@www.agelessinamerica.com