In addition to writing books and blog columns, I
occasionally post comments on my Facebook page, but I try not to write on other
people’s pages. After all, we writers are like prostitutes: when you do it for
a living, you shouldn’t give it away for free. But sometimes, someone will say
something so aggravating or so outrageous that I can’t help but reply. Case in
point: a young woman I’ve never met made a series of comments that professed
profound misunderstanding (some would say ignorance) of several common issues
affecting many of our fellow citizens. Unfortunately, as she is not alone in
her ignorance of the facts, it occurred to me that my rebuttal to her comments
might benefit others, so I’m reprinting it here in an edited version.
The young woman – from her photo I would judge her to be in
her early 30s – posted on my 67-year-old friend’s page. She reiterated the all too common
refrain these days that older people are robbing the young by sponging off Social
Security benefits and receiving Medicare which she believes will not be there
when she retires for her to benefit from. She was upset Florida Gov. Rick Scott
had allowed a state film industry tax incentive to expire, costing her friends
their jobs, claiming this would cause the film industry to flee the state. She
went on to argue government was unnecessary and Ronald Reagan was “the greatest
economic president we’ve ever had.” She closed by blaming President Obama for
failing to create jobs.
You knew I wasn’t going to keep quiet, didn’t you? ;)
---
My response: