Dear Editor: It's Up To Us

Dear Editor,

I don't mean to be a Negative Nelly or even too much of an alarmist; however, the proverbial $h!t is hitting the fan in many ways!

A predicted stock market crash... the attempted assassination of what some see as the best hope for a floundering nation ... the cost of living skyrocketing across the board ... preppers all over preparing, maybe even hoping, for the worst. With all the military action around the world, not JUST in the Middle East, it seems World War III is looming on the horizon, probably closer than we think.

For many Christians, the End Times, popular in modern bible prophecy, is nigh! However, this letter hits a little closer to home, so to speak, and especially to the heart of those with aging parents, which is the overwhelming majority of those reading this letter.

First, I want to thank Don Lepinsky for his very informative op-ed from last week. He made some good points and gave us good food for thought and action. His article engendered this letter, though the subject is also not far from my mind. On the subject of matter hitting the fan, Mr. Lepinsky broaches probably one of the most discussed subjects for ALL of us.

Say what you want about the Social Security program; there ARE many differing opinions and viewpoints on it out there. It is the saving grace of an ever-growing number of seniors out there, even disabled people like yours truly! If the Social Security program were finally to go belly up, which many prophesize in the not-too-distant future, an overwhelming majority of families would face the added task (I WON'T say burden) of caring for aging parents. Not to mention the disabled people, many of whom would likely fall through the proverbial cracks. Some might well argue that care for aging parents belongs in the hands of loved ones anyway, but that is beside the point and may be a subject for another letter... back to the future of Medicare/Medicaid, in which only time will tell.

Although our future and the future of Medicare/Medicaid seem up in the air, ultimately, it's up to US! No matter how involved or uninvolved in politics we are, we have (generally speaking) a voice in how programs like these operate. If their demise is yet another indication of our downfall, maybe it is time it "hits the fan." With all that is wrong with the world, this great nation of ours, and even our precious little town, there is much that we can do to set things right!

Some might ask how things have been allowed to get this bad; to those people, I say, look in the mirror! This is a general and generational statement. We, as Americans, have allowed much of this downfall to build and set up like concrete through our actions or inaction. Tell me I'm wrong; I'll happily go on my merry way, but I would invite anyone who disagrees to discuss the world's salvation with me over a cup of coffee.

CHARLES HADDON SHANK

Whitehall, Montana