[1000 silverlings]

"bamboozled" to go out? What did they do, trick them into thinking it was 4 o'clock, time for dinner?

Is the reference meant to demean the elderly as not too sharp? How elderly were they, in their 50's? Elderly=incompetent, is that it?

[Marysecretary]

Sounds that way. Let’s insult everyone and anyone who is against this lousy health care plan. I’m 70 and I’m still pretty sharp.