This week, the news from America was dominated by the Washington Budget Wars as President Obama and the congress struggle to find common ground about what spending to cut and what to save. The Economist pointedly explained that most of the cuts proposed by Republicans and Democrats alike have little or no impact on Social Security, Medicare or most of Defense, the bulk of federal expenditures.
"Why is the federal government so reluctant to propose financial reforms to Social Security?", we wondered. "And why are Americans so reluctant to pay for the government we want and need?", we mused. And finally, we asked, "What could we do to make a difference that might change the course and keep America from going down?"
Then, an idea occurred to us! What if we give back a portion of our Social Security checks each month? This money could either be used to keep the Social Security Trust growing for the future retirees. Even better, perhaps it could be a contribution toward keeping all those valuable programs alive, such as scholarships for lower income students, an investment in our future.
Surely, we'd be sending a message that we're really concerned about the financial situation and want to take action to fix it!
We are financing our wonderful life as Nomad Expatriates mostly on our two monthly checks from Social Security and a small check from Blair's pension. Occasionally, we dip into our retirement savings to maintain cash flow while the rest stays in managed funds. This retirement savings was accumulated over our working lives and, while not vast, is much more than we'll ever need, based on current projections.
How many other folks are in the same financial situation? Perhaps many more seniors could afford and would be willing to give back a portion of their Social Security checks each month, too. Perhaps there are enough of us so that some of those programs that are investments in the future could escape the cuts.
We urge all seniors to analyze their financial situation and consider giving back to invest in the future. This would truly be a change we could believe in!
A few quotes from credible sources for perspective:
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, http://www.cbpp.org/
CBPP Statement: February 14, 2011
For Immediate Release
Statement: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director, on the President's Budget Proposal
"Measures to restore long-term Social Security solvency also can contribute to deficit reduction in future decades, albeit on a far more modest scale. But here, too, policymakers will not be able to secure sizable savings in the decade ahead. Policymakers across the political spectrum widely agree that changes in Social Security benefits generally should not affect people who are now 55 or over, and that any reforms should phase in changes in Social Security benefits and taxes gradually over a considerable period of time."
Congressional Budget Office, http://www.cbo.gov/
Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2011 to 2021
January 2011
"The resulting federal budget deficit of nearly $1.5 trillion projected for this year will equal 9.8 percent of GDP, a share that is nearly 1 percentage point higher than the shortfall recorded last year and almost equal to the deficit posted in 2009, which at 10.0 percent of GDP was the highest in nearly 65 years."
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
We're going for the "Oldest Backpacker" award!
Even though we transport our stuff via wheely bags rather than large backpacks, we believe we qualify because we've spent more nights in hostels than many actual backpack bearers. Furthermore, the vast majority of backpackers are under 30 and we are, well, significantly older than that! Never mind, 'backpacker' is a state of mind.
As professional Nomads, we have stayed in a wide range of accommodations, our favorites being short term studio apartments for longer stays and hostels for briefer ones. There are two principle aspects of hostel stays that are especially advantageous: low cost and kitchens. Other aspects include social connections with other travelers and Nomads, lounges where we can work, free or low cost Wifi for Internet, and laundry facilities.
We have stayed in hostels in many countries but since we arrived in Australia and then moved on to New Zealand, we have lived exclusively in hostels, known as Backpackers Hostels, every night except for the four weeks we lived in a 'share house' in Melbourne. http://www.pioneerwest.net/nomad/melbour1.html
Let us explain this situation in a bit more detail.....
Australia has a shortage of laborers for farm work, hotel housekeepers, and other low end jobs. According to www.fairwork.gov.au, the National Minimum Wage is $15/hour or $569.90/week before tax. The work week is 38 hours.
In the USA, the national minimum wage is $7.25/hour. Some states have minimum wage laws to set the minimum wage above the national rate.
Australia offers work visas to people who want to come for a year or two to take these lower end jobs and large numbers of young people take advantage of this opportunity. The logical place for these folks to live is in Backpackers Hostels. Often the hostels employ them to work for accommodation.
So, then there is us. As candidates for the Oldest Backpacker award, we have suppressed our desire for privacy (sharing the kitchen and often the bathroom with folks who may not share our concept of neatness and sometimes living in a mixed dorm), expanded our tolerance, if not our enjoyment, for hip hop music, MTV, and daytime TV by tuning these out, engaged in some of the most stimulating discussions about a wide range of topics, and broadened our understanding of the life choices that are now open to young people everywhere. We have come to respect these adventurous, courageous, open minded, visionary, hopeful folks who, after all, are our hope for the future of this endangered planet!
We're not sure how to apply for our award but we are certainly enjoying the competition!
As professional Nomads, we have stayed in a wide range of accommodations, our favorites being short term studio apartments for longer stays and hostels for briefer ones. There are two principle aspects of hostel stays that are especially advantageous: low cost and kitchens. Other aspects include social connections with other travelers and Nomads, lounges where we can work, free or low cost Wifi for Internet, and laundry facilities.
We have stayed in hostels in many countries but since we arrived in Australia and then moved on to New Zealand, we have lived exclusively in hostels, known as Backpackers Hostels, every night except for the four weeks we lived in a 'share house' in Melbourne. http://www.pioneerwest.net/nomad/melbour1.html
Let us explain this situation in a bit more detail.....
Australia has a shortage of laborers for farm work, hotel housekeepers, and other low end jobs. According to www.fairwork.gov.au, the National Minimum Wage is $15/hour or $569.90/week before tax. The work week is 38 hours.
In the USA, the national minimum wage is $7.25/hour. Some states have minimum wage laws to set the minimum wage above the national rate.
Australia offers work visas to people who want to come for a year or two to take these lower end jobs and large numbers of young people take advantage of this opportunity. The logical place for these folks to live is in Backpackers Hostels. Often the hostels employ them to work for accommodation.
So, then there is us. As candidates for the Oldest Backpacker award, we have suppressed our desire for privacy (sharing the kitchen and often the bathroom with folks who may not share our concept of neatness and sometimes living in a mixed dorm), expanded our tolerance, if not our enjoyment, for hip hop music, MTV, and daytime TV by tuning these out, engaged in some of the most stimulating discussions about a wide range of topics, and broadened our understanding of the life choices that are now open to young people everywhere. We have come to respect these adventurous, courageous, open minded, visionary, hopeful folks who, after all, are our hope for the future of this endangered planet!
We're not sure how to apply for our award but we are certainly enjoying the competition!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Rare Earth - Earthquakes around the Planet: The Next Event
Back on September 4, 2010 a powerful earthquake shook the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Our friend, Pat Boland wrote about the experience in two posts soon after (search "earthquake" to see these).
On February 12th, 2011 we arrived in Christchurch. We had a lovely ten days to enjoy this beautiful city with its rich collection of heritage buildings. As we explored the neighborhoods, studying the urban form, we noticed that many buildings were still standing but enclosed by fences, awaiting demolition or refurbishment as the work of earthquake recovery continued.
Then, on February 22, 12:51 PM local time, the City Centre of Christchurch was struck by another violent earthquake!
We were in our hostel, Old Country House, at that moment. There was a deep rumble and the building starting shaking quite violently from side to side. We just dropped to the floor and clung to the walls to keep from falling. As the shaking subsided we hurried outside to find all our housemates huddled together, many quite disturbed, waiting for what might happen next. Fortunately no one was hurt. A number of aftershocks followed, one quite violent, but our hostel held up with virtually no damage.
We survived the next couple of days fairly well, considering. We had to boil the water we could find and cook our food on the BBQ since there was no electric power and no running water, but we were uninjured and had a safe place to be with a stable roof over our heads. Many in the city were not so fortunate.
The power was restored after a day and a half so we could cook more easily but no water came from the taps until late on the 24th and it needed to be boiled for safe drinking. On the second day, we volunteered to be part of the cleanup crew for Andy's house. He's the owner of the Old Country House, our hostel-haven, but his house in Sumner received a bad shaking and everything in the kitchen was smashed on the floor. As a reward for our help, he hooked up a generator and connected the Wifi so we could send a message to a few folks to say "We're safe!".
We walked around our neighborhood to see what had happened nearby. We'll post some pictures on Flickr when we have a moment.
We also made friends with many of our housemates - nothing like sharing a disaster to bring folks together! When the power came back, Andy hooked up the Wifi so we could make a few calls to cancel reservations for places we were no longer able to travel to and to start making a Plan B.
On February 25th (the 3rd day after the quake), we boarded a bus and traveled south to Dunedin, 400 km south, where all was normal.It was a great relief to be away from all the destruction. We feel apologetic and sad about leaving Christchurch while so many are left there, but because we felt that we couldn't help, it would be better to leave and be two less visitors that would need food and possible assistance.
No doubt you have all heard the news and seen the pictures of destruction and death, rescues and debris, roadblocks and mud floods, rock slides and road cracks. To add a bit of perspective, Christchurch is a very, very badly wounded city but much of it, especially the western and northern parts are fairly normal, almost unscathed. Our friends, Bob and Pat and their family are safe and unharmed, having suffered a loss of windows in their lovely cliff side home.
The brave folks of Christchurch must now battle on, facing the continuing recovery and rebuilding process with the addition of recovery from the grief of losing loved ones and friends. Our hearts are with them. Having lived through the earthquake experience and survived unharmed, we understand more deeply the physical and emotional stresses and pain that such an experience imposes on people.
On February 12th, 2011 we arrived in Christchurch. We had a lovely ten days to enjoy this beautiful city with its rich collection of heritage buildings. As we explored the neighborhoods, studying the urban form, we noticed that many buildings were still standing but enclosed by fences, awaiting demolition or refurbishment as the work of earthquake recovery continued.
Then, on February 22, 12:51 PM local time, the City Centre of Christchurch was struck by another violent earthquake!
We were in our hostel, Old Country House, at that moment. There was a deep rumble and the building starting shaking quite violently from side to side. We just dropped to the floor and clung to the walls to keep from falling. As the shaking subsided we hurried outside to find all our housemates huddled together, many quite disturbed, waiting for what might happen next. Fortunately no one was hurt. A number of aftershocks followed, one quite violent, but our hostel held up with virtually no damage.
We survived the next couple of days fairly well, considering. We had to boil the water we could find and cook our food on the BBQ since there was no electric power and no running water, but we were uninjured and had a safe place to be with a stable roof over our heads. Many in the city were not so fortunate.
The power was restored after a day and a half so we could cook more easily but no water came from the taps until late on the 24th and it needed to be boiled for safe drinking. On the second day, we volunteered to be part of the cleanup crew for Andy's house. He's the owner of the Old Country House, our hostel-haven, but his house in Sumner received a bad shaking and everything in the kitchen was smashed on the floor. As a reward for our help, he hooked up a generator and connected the Wifi so we could send a message to a few folks to say "We're safe!".
We walked around our neighborhood to see what had happened nearby. We'll post some pictures on Flickr when we have a moment.
We also made friends with many of our housemates - nothing like sharing a disaster to bring folks together! When the power came back, Andy hooked up the Wifi so we could make a few calls to cancel reservations for places we were no longer able to travel to and to start making a Plan B.
On February 25th (the 3rd day after the quake), we boarded a bus and traveled south to Dunedin, 400 km south, where all was normal.It was a great relief to be away from all the destruction. We feel apologetic and sad about leaving Christchurch while so many are left there, but because we felt that we couldn't help, it would be better to leave and be two less visitors that would need food and possible assistance.
No doubt you have all heard the news and seen the pictures of destruction and death, rescues and debris, roadblocks and mud floods, rock slides and road cracks. To add a bit of perspective, Christchurch is a very, very badly wounded city but much of it, especially the western and northern parts are fairly normal, almost unscathed. Our friends, Bob and Pat and their family are safe and unharmed, having suffered a loss of windows in their lovely cliff side home.
The brave folks of Christchurch must now battle on, facing the continuing recovery and rebuilding process with the addition of recovery from the grief of losing loved ones and friends. Our hearts are with them. Having lived through the earthquake experience and survived unharmed, we understand more deeply the physical and emotional stresses and pain that such an experience imposes on people.
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