Editorial #25
by James C. Benerofe
October 19, 2000

Presidential debate number three was probably the best of the three. However, it is terribly boring to hear about Medicare, Social Security, HMO's, medical insurance, prescription drugs, etc., etc., over and over, again and again. There are a number of issues of great importance that are not being discussed that will significantly make serious impacts on the social security issues and health issues.

In the next five to ten years there will be 70 million people over the age of 65 in the United States. There are already far too many cars on the road and far too many drivers who should not be driving. So the question is what are the candidates - particularly the ones who get elected - going to do about public transportation, the unbearably incredible amount of road construction, and the amount of time wasted in traffic jams?

The entire transportation system in the United States needs to be overhauled and redesigned. We need better lighting on highways. We need many more good efficient forms of public transportation. We are flying too many airplanes for too short of a distance. There needs to be more high speed trains. There needs to be better community and city planning with more transportation alternatives - buses, bikes, moving sidewalks, trolleys, just plain walking. Road construction and improvements need to be completed in shorter time frames even if it means working twenty four hours seven days a week.

In the absence of addressing these issues, elected public officials can expect more car accidents most likely impacting the senior segment of the population with a resounding impact on Medicare, medical insurance, and medical facilities. Our presidential candidates are clearly suffering from political myopia. With something like two weeks to the election, hopefully the candidates will be able to broaden there perspectives and discuss these mundane everyday vital issues. It is disturbing that these issues have not been discussed.