General Discussion

aint_no_life_nowhere

(21,925 posts)

2. Life expectancy is meaningless unless the quality of life is prolonged

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:10 PM

Apr 2012

Maybe science can keep people alive longer in hospitals where they would have died before, but their quality of life isn't improved. Science hasn't reversed or even slowed the aging process at all. People still get old at the same rate and they still lose their strength and mental faculties at the same rate. Maybe medical science can intervene to keep people alive but that doesn't mean their ability to work during these extra years of life has been increased at all. If people could be kept alive in an ICU until they're 100 years old or more, it still wouldn't mean squat as far as their productive years are concerned. Let's find ways to slow down aging and then I'll listen to these conservative arguments.

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Krugman just shut down the "raise the retirement age argument" George Will said raise it [View all] Pisces Apr 2012 OP

Definitely not. Guys like Will have no clue what work is for some people. If you brewens Apr 2012 #1

My body conked out in my mid 50s Warpy Apr 2012 #3

The appropriate phrase her is "he doesn't think of it at all" JHB Apr 2012 #13

I'm convinced the whole thing is seriously planned to take us back to the 1800's. brewens Apr 2012 #17

Their actions on the education front show the same plan. No need to educate people whose only value freshwest Apr 2012 #19

Look at the increasing costs of post-secondary education. chervilant Apr 2012 #27

I read something some time back, that I think illustrates what you are saying, too. freshwest Apr 2012 #41

Depressing just doesn't cover it... chervilant Apr 2012 #43

Add in the massive numbers of people who will be displaced by climate change Lars39 Apr 2012 #44

Life expectancy is meaningless unless the quality of life is prolonged aint_no_life_nowhere Apr 2012 #2

For a short time, we actually did slow aging a bit Warpy Apr 2012 #4

Better food and medicine only allowed people to live out their full potetial life expectancy aint_no_life_nowhere Apr 2012 #7

Life expectancy does NOT equal ability to work ProfessionalLeftist Apr 2012 #5

I prefer means testing to help Social Security. DCBob Apr 2012 #6

While that does seem like a reasonable solution there is a danger hidden in it. Right now it is hard jwirr Apr 2012 #9

Yes, I see your point. Maybe it could be set up like a deferred payment.. DCBob Apr 2012 #16

ooh, you mean like a "personal account?" yeah, maybe everyone could invest their own, too. HiPointDem Apr 2012 #24

no, that is not at all what I am suggesting. DCBob Apr 2012 #25

If that happens they'll put pressure on to limit it to the "truly needy"... JHB Apr 2012 #15

All they need to do is get rid of the cap on SS tax groundloop Apr 2012 #20

Yes, that would no doubt help. DCBob Apr 2012 #21

No measures will help DocMac Apr 2012 #51

You'll also have to alter the benefits formula customerserviceguy Apr 2012 #33

Maximum payout per year is already capped eridani Apr 2012 #47

That cap is directly tied customerserviceguy Apr 2012 #54

Employers could pay a higher percentage, but this shouldn't go to infinity eridani May 2012 #58

helping the less fortunate is NOT what the RW wants. We are arguing from different premises. CTyankee Apr 2012 #52

You might like an idea I've suggested here before customerserviceguy Apr 2012 #31

That generally sounds more fair.. DCBob Apr 2012 #34

I suggest WC records customerserviceguy Apr 2012 #35

Probaby best not to mention a paper cut in a logger bar. DCBob Apr 2012 #37

You'll get beer bottles hurled at you! customerserviceguy Apr 2012 #42

I prefer not making republican arguments on DU. Warren Stupidity Apr 2012 #36

Why is that a Republican argument?? DCBob Apr 2012 #38

Effective reductions in benefits will target the middle class. Warren Stupidity Apr 2012 #40

Means testing would be the Kiss of death of Social Security happyslug Apr 2012 #46

Social Security is not directly means-tested, but because of our tax system, it JDPriestly Apr 2012 #49

It was a thing of beauty. Krugman was on a roll this morning. Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2012 #8

Where was this? eyewall Apr 2012 #26

ThisWeek with George S. on ABC Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2012 #32

Thank you eyewall Apr 2012 #53

I work with children, and adults, with disabilities HockeyMom Apr 2012 #10

I hear you. My back gave out at 62. I lifted my daughter and pushed/lifted her wheelchair etc. for jwirr Apr 2012 #11

It will work for George Will's target audience ... zbdent Apr 2012 #12

Life expectancy is longer sandyshoes17 Apr 2012 #14

+1 Gormy Cuss Apr 2012 #22

Life expectancy increased because the elderly no longer die from starvation and hypothermia fasttense Apr 2012 #18

I believe this is what they want. Cleita Apr 2012 #23

Useless eaters nobodyspecial Apr 2012 #39

Not quite true. Life expectancy FROM BIRTH increased because-- eridani Apr 2012 #48

If the retirement age is raised Mz Pip Apr 2012 #28

Exactly. And we already have rising unemployment for young workers. shcrane71 Apr 2012 #30

Life expectancy *at birth* has gone up, and that doesn't matter at all Recursion Apr 2012 #29

George Will has been WRONG on EVERYTHING for 40 years... lib2DaBone Apr 2012 #45

It's easy to work until 74... n2doc Apr 2012 #50

what a piece of crook that statement is Dokkie Apr 2012 #55

k&r n/t RainDog Apr 2012 #56

We are being manipulated and unrepresented fascisthunter Apr 2012 #57

Has pun-twit George "The Snore" Will had tsuki May 2012 #59