Posted on 05/29/2013 8:08:27 AM PDT by blam
It's High Time America Did Away With Senior Discounts
Alex Mayyasi, Priceonomics Blog
May 29, 2013, 10:44 AM
You’ve seen them on the bus, in museums, and at movie theaters: senior discounts.
As a reward for being old, senior citizens pay a quarter less for bus fare, a small fortune less for movie tickets, and receive discounts generally all over the place.
If you’re a twentysomething, or part of what some journalists have colorfully called “the screwed generation,” you may be wondering: why not me?
The idea that seniors are a group in need of help and protection dates back to the thirties, when America’s senior citizens were disproportionately poor and affected by the Depression wiping out everyone's savings.
In 1935, President Roosevelt passed the Social Security Act, which gave federal assistance to the elderly. This became the norm. Aid to seniors increased over time, in particular with the creation of Medicare in 1965 and the passage of an amendment indexing social security to cost of living increases and creating an additional Supplemental Security Income for seniors in 1972.
As two poverty economists note, “One of the most striking trends in elderly well-being in the twentieth century was the dramatic decline in income poverty among the elderly.” This can be seen in the graph below.
The United States only began measuring poverty in the 1960s, so we lack standard figures dating farther back than that. But it’s recognized that the trend of decreasing poverty among seniors dates back to the thirties and forties. 2011 Census figures place poverty among Americans aged 65 and older at 8.7%, well below the national average of 15%.
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(Excerpt) Read more at priceonomics.com ...
Fine. But the subject of this ARTICLE has nothing whatsoever to do with the 'government'.
I’m enjoying the few senior discounts I currently receive, but might be willing to consider eliminating them if we also eliminate the Kids Eat Free policies and Family Discount policies.
Seriously, we have a local second-run theater that has a Tuesday $5 admission family night and matinee senior discounts. You can bet that both bring in a lot of welcome business during less than prime times from a lot of people happy to stretch their dollars. Nothing wrong with that.
Bottom line: seniors have earned their discounts — remember, they also didn’t receive them during the years that older people were — and you can bet they’re good for business. Otherwise, businesses wouldn’t offer them.
Odd (actually more like HYPOCRITICAL) that a man who publicly DECRIES the SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT in a land he doesn’t even live in, is PIMPING HIS BLOG where they try to ensure that their visitors can get DISCOUNTS on USED ITEMS.
I hope the writer doesn't believe in Karma
Then I suggest you re-read your original comment. Or, better, have someone else read it and see what they think you said.
Their family ?
I have the actual golden girls themselves! Got them for 25% off!
I recommend catching the early-bird. It’s only between four-thirty and six. They give you a tenderloin, a salad and a baked potato, for four-ninety-five. You know what that cost you after six?
He doesn't want 'senior citizens' to get a discount, because he wants them to go to his WEBSITE to get discounts.
He is not a journalist, he is a BLOG PIMP.
I wonder if they offer a senior citizens discounts on his website?
I remember that the next time I decide to book the Presidential Suite at the Waldorf. I could always use an extra $5,000.
Thanks for the laugh.
This is going to be an awesome thread.
Hey punk, how about raised you, paid for your college, cars, etc.
Furthermore, our generation didn't piss away our money like you thankless little shits. So if it alright with you, I think I will keep my 10% of my burger order. SHEEEEESH!!!!!!!!!
Which is a marketing ploy OFFERED by PRIVATE BUSINESS. Last time I checked, there is no SENIOR CITIZENS DISCOUNT at the DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICE.
In 1935, President Roosevelt passed the Social Security Act, which gave federal assistance to the elderly. This became the norm. Aid to seniors increased over time, in particular with the creation of Medicare in 1965 and the passage of an amendment indexing social security to cost of living increases and creating an additional Supplemental Security Income for seniors in 1972.
All GOVERNMENT created and all involving TAXES.
Your OWN WORDS prove my point.
Lately, it seems to be an issue that could well be argued against.
Considering a large number of seniors drawing discounts have also benefited from the child tax deduction at some point, I don't see how it bolsters the argument in either direction.
You are here right now, are you not? Consider that if it weren't for the tax deduction, you might not be here.
The author is just another socialist who believes everyone is entitled to the same amount of everything no matter what the circumstances... except for him and his buddies of course.
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