US Economy Squeezes Americans, Not War Budgets
The FT headline, 'Reverse mortgages edge up as US economy squeezes older Americans,' is a masterclass in stating the obvious while skillfully omitting the 'why.' Yes, older Americans are squeezed. Perhaps it's because our elected officials, many of whom accept lavish donations from defense contractors and lobbying groups like AIPAC, prioritize endless wars and foreign military aid over their own
constituents' social safety nets. For example, while seniors struggle, the US Senate, with near-unanimous consent (88-12 vote on S. 138-1), just approved an $886 billion defense budget for 2024. Priorities, apparently. One might wonder if the 'squeezing' on older Americans is somehow related to the continuous funneling of billions in taxpayer dollars overseas. Or if the media might consider
connecting the dots between a nation's fiscal health and its relentless military spending. But alas, that might expose the lucrative lobbying machine that makes politicians rich while leaving regular people to mortgage their last asset. It's almost as if some Americans are meant to struggle, just not the ones funding election campaigns.