Unfettered Letters

They’re ‘rich’ in many ways

Capt. Chesley Sullenberger, hero of Flight 1549, is a prime example of how we all benefit from the brightest, most productive individuals among us. His intelligence, focus and training resulted in a contribution to society that few of us can ever hope to equal.

What is the value of 155 lives? To their families? To society? What is the value of a stable, well-managed business to its employees and customers?

Another attribute our most productive citizens share is that they are generally considered “rich.” There are exceptions, of course, but the so called “rich” usually make better decisions, work harder and create more shareable “wealth” than the rest of us. Their productions (safe flights, successful operations, well-run businesses, award-winning movies), enrich myriad numbers of us.

Instead of begrudging these unusually talented individuals their monetary rewards, we should thank them for sharing their exceptional talents in exchange for the small amount of money we each end up paying for their services. We are extremely lucky to have individuals such as Capt. Sullenberger in our midst.

Jim Smith
Kansas City

Older workers often better trained

I found it very interesting that letters about age discrimination in hiring and a lack of customer service appeared on the same day (11/16). I also wonder how many readers saw the correlation.

The discrimination in hiring has run rampant in the past 15 to 20 years. And customer service in America has deteriorated during this same time frame.

I am not suggesting that younger employees are rude. I am, however, suggesting that many companies do very little if any customer service training before placing employees on the job in front-line positions. And then they wonder why they do not have the business they wish they had or thought they would have.

So remember: As an employer, you might be wise to consider the older employees, too, as most of them were well trained when they went into the workplace 30 to 40 years ago.

Becky Ansley
Overland Park

Will work for living wage

It’s 5:45 p.m., and the CBS “Evening News” isn’t over yet. The lead story was that the unemployment rate just hit a 14-year high at 6.5 percent and is projected to rise to 8 percent in 2009. Wrong! I’m 61 and have been looking for a full-time job paying a living wage for three years. I’m off the radar for these statistics, as are many others.

During my three-year search I have been told, “unofficially ” of course, that hiring managers and decision-makers are looking only for those under 40. Heaven forbid you have a gray hair. An unemployment counselor told me I would not be able to find a job. Maybe so, but I’m not quitting and don’t intend to use Grecian Formula 44.

To those hip-hop decision-makers, hire me or accept the fact you’ll be paying higher taxes to support me. I have no desire to go on Social Security. I want to work now and beyond 65.

Oh yes, I show up on time Mondays, Fridays and after concerts.

Tony Bradley
Parkville

U.S. will be either racist or ageist

Lewis Diuguid (10/22, Opinion, “Election predictions are holding up so far”) seems to tell us the only reason Bill Richardson didn’t get elected was because of ethnicity. For Mitt Romney it was because of religious bigotry, and for Hillary Clinton it was because of sexism. And if Obama is not elected, it’s because of “this country’s burning fires of racism.”

Really, Mr. Diuguid? Are those the only reasons that candidates are rejected by the electorate? Then I submit that if John McCain is not elected, it could be only because of ageism.

In Diuguid’s world there seem to be no other factors that count other than the bigotry of the voters. It must be a great comfort to Mr. Diuguid to live in a world where no one is ever called to account for what they did. Then they can blame every failure on their demographic category.

By Diuguid’s logic, the results of this election will prove that we are either a racist or ageist country.

Bill Gaughan
Louisburg, Kan.

Fire safety in nursing homes

Do not those who are so adamantly against smoke detectors in nursing home and care facilities (8/25, Local, “Fire safety should rank higher in nursing homes?”)  that they themselves may well bear the fruit of their folly?

Nancy M. Ehrlich
Independence

Too old to rock with the Boss?

To the couple in Section 209 who actually had the audacity to tell me to sit down at the Bruce Springsteen concert: Really?

I hope you had a great concert. I hope you can also sense my sarcasm.

Go back to the nursing home if you’re not up for seeing a rock ’n’ roll show!

Julie Wintering
Overland Park

Boomers, date your age

This is an open letter to all my fellow baby boomers. I think it’s time we appreciate the skin we’re in.

I’m so tired of reading articles about older men and women dating younger people for their “hard bodies.” Now it seems women in their late 40s and 50s are choosing to date men in their 20s and 30s. Why?

The media tell me women want younger men for their six-pack abs and bulging biceps. Really? And older men want younger women for their youthful bodies. No news there. Is this why my generation has turned into a bunch of neurotic, youth-seeking, self -absorbed hypocrites?

Here’s a reality check, boomers: We’re not going to live to be 100 and look eternally 30 in the process. When did aging turn into a four-letter word, anyway?

Of course, it’s important to take care of oneself. Eating right and exercise just make good sense. But maybe we should concentrate on being good role models and mentors to our younger generation instead of trying to date them.

Mary Jo Wheeler
Kansas City

Truant doctor of pharmacy

I have a hard time figuring out how old or young many people are, so I don’t fault the Lee’s Summit truancy officer who recently stopped and questioned my daughter as she was walking near Lee’s Summit High School.

After a few awkward inquires about where she was going and why she wasn’t in school, my daughter pulled out her driver’s license (she’s 27) and a wallet-size card that proved she was a licensed doctor of pharmacy.

Teresa Dowlatshahi
Lee’s Summit

Give older workers a chance

The fact that the Kansas City Area Development Council “has launched ... a multimedia marketing plan aimed at helping local corporations recruit and retain that coveted 25- to 34-year-old age group” sickens me (4/22, Business, “KC listens to ‘creative class’.”).

Society continues to exalt the young without any regard for the middle-aged, who are in dire need of jobs to support ourselves. I bet I have more talent in my little finger than the “creative class” the KCADC is marketing

I am tired of seeing the focus on young adults when there are so many others whose talents and skills go unrecognized.

I recently toured the set of a soap opera. I told the tour guide that they need to incorporate overweight, unattractive, older actors into their scripts. He replied, “We’re into creating fantasies, and it wouldn’t work.”

I responded, “If you want a real fantasy, have a love story between a fat, ugly, older woman with a handsome, comparably aged, wealthy man.”

Kansas City and the rest of the world need to recognize that those of us with wrinkles should be recruited and retained for all we are and all we know.

Nan Lorenz
Kansas City

Alzheimer’s research

It’s time for our government to confront the growing problem of Alzheimer’s disease with a meaningful investment in research to find a cure. Now is the time to find ways to protect the health and productivity of 78 million baby boomers whose lives will soon be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. If nothing is done, Medicare and Medicaid will be devastated by the high cost of the disease.

Earlier this year, Congress passed a bipartisan appropriation bill (HR 3043) that allocated $30 billion for the National Institutes of Health, reversing years of erosion in the nation’s research investment. Included in that total was a modest $16 million increase for research on Alzheimer’s disease — the first increase in three years. Unfortunately, this legislation was vetoed.

Congress is currently working with the president on a compromise to fund health, education and other programs. Research dollars are at risk. Please urge Congress and the president to appropriate $30 billion for the National Institutes of Health to step up the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Visit www.alz.org to learn more about how you can make your voice heard in Washington.

Michelle Niedens
Alzheimer’s Association, Heart of America Chapter
Prairie Village