[stevepaa]

My view of the difference between liberal and conservative was reinforced yesterday. I met a VP outside of Kragen Auto stores who just got a promotion to corporate in DC. We were talking outside about how tough it is for our pensioners now because medical costs eat up their pensions until they are 65 when they are eligible for Medicare/Medicaid. I remarked how I wondered how an old guy working at Kragen will make it. His reply was "Well, they didn't plan very well, did they?”. I sense this attitude primarily among those who have been blessed with good genes. They have made it because they did it and those who didn’t are just lazy, good for nothings. It’s like the idea of the bell curve just doesn’t apply to human achievement. There will always be people who cannot achieve to a level to provide for themselves now or in old age. I believe it is the value we place on them that defines us.