AGAINST THE WIND
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"AGAINST THE WIND"
The title of a song written by a very old friend of mine, Bob Seeger, is an apt description of a life of change and struggle. I guess Bob and I share a lot in common coming from the Detroit area and growing up at the same time in the turbulence of the 60’s and 70’s. We shared our love of motorcycles and music for many years. This song brings it all together for me and a short version of my life. The lyrics to this great Seeger tune are the story of a lot of our lives over the years. Now as the years get shorter the obviousness of these words ring true.
It’s difficult as we get older to go against the winds of life, not like it was when we were young and full of ambition and chutzpa. Now the fight grinds you down and the struggle is wearing on you. I have found a lot of advantages with my senior status. If you are living in Alaska like I do you can share in the states oil wealth. We have of course our yearly Permanent Fund Dividend bonus, plus for all seniors over 65, the state pays from $125 to $275 per month called the “Longevity Bonus”, a $300,000 free property tax deduction and the other programs that are there for seniors to keep them in Alaska.
Within 10 miles of my home are three Senior centers and a community food bank, they all offer low cost or free warm lunches and food for all seniors and low income folks in our area. The economy of Alaska is much better than the rest of the country even thought the republican majority sings the same old song of cutting back on social programs like the rest of the country. Not much money is allotted for social programs but plenty for the oil and gas industry. Fortunately this blatant exaggeration of the needs of the industry is seen right through for what it is, corporate welfare. The assistance for low income and native citizens in Alaska has shrunk very little even though the politicians cry poor. The governor here is proposing a cut to the oil and gas industry’s taxes on production! That alone tells us there is plenty of money for corporate welfare but not for social welfare. We are not stupid even though the politicians try to convince us we are. “Corporations are not people!” no matter what the Supreme Court says. Any politician that puts companies before the people who work there should be immediately removed. The government is “By the People and for the People” period.
In the paper this last week the beginnings of the Alaskan funding problems are arising. The specter of lower revenues is starting to rear its ugly head, even though there is no shortage and in fact a savings account with over $30 billion in it belonging to the state. The politics of fear seems to be the order of the day in this country, true or not. Slash and burn is the call of the conservatives, as long as it is not their funds that are slashed or their programs that are burned. There are plenty of logical and painless ways to fund all the programs that are necessary for our citizens to live and learn without much distress. The waste and fraud alone would make up for any losses, the overly expensive costs of government could easily be brought in line but for the greed and favors our lawmakers hand out daily to those who “donate” to their election campaigns. The real problem is not deficit spending but spending on themselves and their corporate buddies. Alaska Governor, Parnell, wants to cut taxes for the oil companies, the most profitable entities in the history of the world, and in his next breath tells us we have to tighten our belts for the hard times coming. We seem to always be going “Against the Wind”.
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Old Poolman said it and I agree, good to see you back, Peter, and still alive and kicking. Your last hub I saw you didn't appear to be in too good a shape.
It may not be perfect, but at least Alaska seems to care about its residents, ecpecially seniors. Old people aren't allowed to starve here, either, although some hundreds die of cold each year. So true that life does become a battle once that sap of youth stops rising. I had a baddish fall two days ago (am 72) and I felt like I'd been hit by a bus and am still full of aches and pains. When I was young, my party trick was falling off backwards from bar-stools on purpose!
Good to here from you again
Bob
Hurray, you haven't frozen! I was beginning to worry, Peter, after that hub about homeless in the minus whatever winter followed by such a long silence. Actually, I don't have a lot to say other than I agree wholeheartedly. Do you remember the day when officials used to sign their correspondence as "Your servant," and we called them civil servants? Now they are mini-czars and answerable only to those who paved their road to position with gold. Ah, well. Glad to hear from you. Lynda
Hi Peter,
I am so glad you are alive and kicking. It has been a while. The politics of fear will never be a reality. You forgot the news media which lies habitually for their over priced paychecks!! The entertainment industry has played a very evil and vile role in not paying taxes, and horriding wealth.
It is great to read you once again.
Take care!!
JT
Hey Peter
My friend I am glad to see you back online, still kicking. Yeah many states are suffering from the conservative moves to curtail social programs and give breaks to the wealthy and big business.
Here in Florida welfare recipients take drug tests, we are a "right to work" state which means low wages and no unions, and and and.
I think the politics of fear is balanced out by the politics of prejudice but maybe they are the same thing.
It is interesting to hear from the other end of the spectrum. Here in Florida, we ended up with a Governor that no one likes. I guess that shows we are not a true democracy. The first thing he did was cut education. We used fear tactics to make him put the money back.
Peter - First of all, where in the hell have you been? Good to see you writing again.
Bob Seger is one of my favorites. His latest CD is superb. He was on tour through here and I missed the show. Maybe next time.'
The Frog
Peter Hello ! So pleased you are okay.
Friend of Bob Seeger some stories to tell,keep well peter,best from jandee
Great hub, Peter, which echoes my sentiments exactly. I want to know why so many must now resort to food pantries while the Superbowl stadium is filled with people that can afford anywhere from $600 to $6,000 for a seat?
Bob Seger is, in my opinion, one of the greatest musicians of all time. I could listen to his music over and over. You are his friend? Awesome! Interesting hub! Voted up!
Good to see you back Peter. Alaska sounds like a pretty good place to me. We all may have to move there just to get a good meal. I love Bob Seger, lucky you, to be his friend. Cheers
Hello Peter. Wondered about your whereabouts. Good to see you're still connected. This was an interesting piece about the way that Alaska operates. Except for the cold, seems like a good place to check out. Also interesting about you and Bob Segar.
Hi Mike,
Still not able to get to the show but still working on it. I haven't had much time to get on line and I must go to the library or McDonalds to do it.
The big fault with Alaska is the WINTER. Once I get past this cold I will be happy. I miss Thailand but I'm getting my medical problems solved here and a subsidized apartment. The government here is like a fairy tale, they don't know how good they got it. They have not suffered a lick like the rest of the country.
One day I will get down there and we can have a good conversation.
Peter
Glad to be here too. It's been rough and still is but not as bad. Hope to be able to get back in th3 swing of things. Thanks, Peter
Hi Bob, good to still be around. Great comment and it is strange that we had such disregard for our health when we were young. Alaska is a good place to be for support but cold as hell. Glad to hear from you, Peter
Lynda, great to hear from you and yes I am still kicking. The cold has been brutal as well a the snow, but I can see the light at the end of the winter getting closer. I still see them for what they are and hope to be able to write more this spring. Thanks
Peter
JT my friend it is good to hear from you and as always our regard and views of the political world are in tune. Hope to be able to write more as I thaw out, keep the faith,
Peter
Lee we both see the incredible stupidity that is inherent in our government and want o fix it. I have been fixing my own existence and hope to be on line more. Glad to get your feedback, Peter
WD believe me the republican governor here would be doing his best to destroy all the social programs here if he could get away with it, but he can't. When you live in the "Last Frontier" folks understand that we must all depend on each other or die. Thanks for the comment, Peter
Hey Frog, been hiding in Kenai Alaska and hope to be able to write more as spring gets here. Bob's an old friend and a great Rock'n'Roller. Thanks,
Peter
Hi Jandee I told some of those stories in my hubs, take a look at God, Love and Rock'n Roll. Thanks, Peter
I agree, Thanks for commenting, Peter
Alaska is a state of mind more than a location. Because of its isolation we're kind of the Galapogos of the USA, thing here are different. Thanks for the comment AP, Peter
Thanks for the great comment Cindi, Come visit sometime and you'll see a lot of differnt things and people here.
Peter
Governor Parnell says you have to cut taxes for oil companies, and then tighten your belt. That sounds like Scott Walker, and all of these other Tea Party types. The priority is the ultra rich, instead of the least among us. I'm glad you see through the b.s. Good hub.
Hi Sooner, Parnell is a Palin clone that she chose. He has a few good attributes but very few. We are the people in "We the People" and some folks just can't get it threough their heads that we are the focus of this country not the uber rich or the mega corporations. We just need to show ourselves at election time and maybe they will get the message. Stay clear and honest,
Thanks
Peter
Peter, with conservatives, it not just a matter of having enough money, it is their principle, an overriding one, that the rich must get richer and the poor, poorer. They will keep the justifiably needy away on principle and are committed to scorthed earth as far as the 99% are concerned. Sounds like Alaska has many advantages, particularly for seniors. I would find it uncomfortably cold with the exception of perhaps the Juneau area. Thanks for bring this out as always and it is nice to see you again.
Credence, good to hear from you, Thanks for the comment. As always we see pretty much eye to eye. If the weather was as good as Hawaii this place would be jammed. I still prefer Thailand but my medicare is need3ed to get healthy first since it is not accepted there. Great to hear from you,
Peter
Hi Peter
It is good to see you.
"Any politician that puts companies before the people who work there should be immediately removed. The government is “By the People and for the People” period."
I agree wholeheartedly.
Why does the governor want to give the oil companies a tax break?
Voted up and interesting
Take Care
Peter, perhaps one day we will still get to have that fireside chat down here in warm and sunny Arizona. I have a great many things I would like to talk with you about. Your gold mining, diamond buying, and Thailand to name a few. When it comes to politics, we view a few thing differently, but generally agree that we the people are getting screwed over big time. Send me an email outside of Hub Pages and let me know what is really going on in your life.
Mike
The Republican Governor of Alaska who took Sarah Palins place believes that the Oil companies will take all that money (Billions of $)and reinvest it back in the state and spend the money to recover all that heavy oil they can't produce very cheap. They give no pledge to do what he wants he justs believes they ar3e good guys and will follow his ideas. IDIOT!
Thanks,
Peter
Mike I intend to get there as soon as I get my physical health and deaughter in order. Watch for my email.
Peter
Good to have you back. Hope to see more of you as spring arrives.
You have graciously pointed out that things are better in Alaska than elsewhere...believe me, you're right. You wouldn't want to be living in NY right now!
Glad I could sneak in a story and hope to contribute more when I get connected to the internet. Alaska suffers from "Republicanitis" so no matter how good it is the Grand Old Party still tries to discourage freedoms to some extent even when there is no need to. I'm glad I'm here right now but I long for the tropics and Thai food. Thanks
Peter
Old Poolman 3 months ago
Peter - What a great surprise seeing a hub from you. It has been a long time. At least I know you are still alive and kicking.
I was not aware of the latest tax cuts on oil proposed in Alaska. It sounds like more of the same to me. Your so correct, a healthy campaign contribution will buy the giver a whole sack full of favors. Your also right that no government looks for the waste in their own house before they start talking about cuts to social programs, or the need to raise everyone's taxes. They just keep adding to the numbers of people who draw fat paychecks and huge benefits for doing little or nothing. If I knew the answer I would give it to you. I know you tend to blame the conservatives, but it is all of them my friend. I hope you are now positioned where you can start seeing some daylight and getting back on your feet.
The Tucson Gem show is in full swing, but I have not had time to even go down there.