I may regret trying to respond to you, but here goes.

As for the Wal Mart Door Greeter, you don't know that he chose to retire at age 62 or that he didn't consider his wife's need for health insurance. Here's an all too common scenario that could easily apply to him, and certainly applies to many people, if not to him.

Perhaps:
As he approached age 62 he was given the option of being laid off or retiring, so he accepted retirement. (For all we know he also has medical issues that working full time was adversely affecting. That often happens, you know) As part of his retirement plan he was given health insurance for himself and his wife, so he figured out how they could live based on that.

Unbeknownst to him, federal courts have ruled that an employer may eliminate retiree health benefits, even if they promised them and the retirees are already receiving him. So after a few years, he gets a notice that his insurance is being eliminated.

And then,the pension that he receives is reduced, for a variety of reasons, including because of the investments made by the plan administrator.

Suddenly, he and his wife's life is turned upside down.

As for his getting a reverse mortgage, with the average life expectancy increasing, even if he got a reverse mortgage for the entire value of his house, the money would likely run out long before his death.

I don't think it is appropriate for you to second guess the wife's doctor. Arthritis is a complicated disease, especially rheumatoid arthritis. My friend with the disease takes a variety of medicines just to be able to function at all.

Sadly, WalMart is full of employees who have lost their good paying factory job with benefits, and are instead working for $8 per hour and no benefits. (This is not WalMart's fault, they are simply taking advantage of this labor market.)

As we enter this recession, it is only going to be harder for folks being laid off to find a job.

I'm proud to have voted for Obama and believe that he is the only person for this job, at this time.

The US is in a mess, which I think is going to get worse. The new president will face difficult challenges, which will require a real team approach. Obama wisely chose Joe Biden to be part of his team. the Obama team has gained the respect and support of Democrats, Republicans and Independents, which gives Obama a broad pool from which to choose his advisors. I am confident that the Obama team will tackle our country's issues with the same team approach that will win him the election.

McCain has chosen Sarah Palin, who is increasingly an embarassment. He has alienated many of his prior supporters, and increasingly seems to be losing the confidence of many who previously would have gladly been his advisers. I can't see him creating an effective "team." That's one problem with "mavericks," they often don't play well with others.

It is clear that we had different world views, and that is ok. I don't think anything I say will change your world view, and I don't expect you to change your opinion of Obama. However, I really think it is unfair of you to chastise a respectable retired senior citizen couple in your effort to criticize Obama.

As usual, this is just my opinion.

georgiajan