[expat_panama]

in your 50's (10 years off from retirement age) and lost your software programming position

It suddenly occurred to me that I was 55 when my engineering job got outsourced.   It was the best thing that ever happened to me.  The solution is less government aid, not more.

[pollyannaish]

Good testament to the wisdom of age! Glad it went well. Bet it was still hard...but life is hard. I am often amazed at how, with the right attitude, disasters turn into great blessings.

One thing that occurred to me while I was thinking about this is, that even if everything I have was taken away from me tomorrow...because I am free, and because I am American—I would try to turn it around and make things even better the next time.

As Americans our strength should not be based in our military, our economy, our power...it should be based in our CHARACTER. If it is, then the success of those other things are a result of that—for better or for worse.