seniors shouldn't have to work (if they don't want to)

this morning i went grocery shopping.  i got in the wrong lane (behind a frazzled woman with 8 kids - that i counted - under the age of about 12).  the check-out cashier was an elderly woman.  i'm not good at guessing ages, but she had to have been over 65.  very sweet looking.  hair neatly curled.  kind smile.  nicely dressed (not always the case at wal-mart).  

she had arthritic fingers and she struggled a bit to bag my groceries but but was so sweet about it!  i always bring my own bags and she had to set them up before filling them.  often i get the sense that the check-out person is looking at my bags with disdain.  this kind woman was so helpful and did a wonderful job - nothing crushed, groceries evenly distributed.  

i thought, this lovely person should be at home loving her grandkids!  what does it say about our country that we don't take care of our seniors.

i realize that people need to take responsiblity for their own actions and lives.  in my head, i can understand conservative values of individual responsibility and capitalist principles.  i do believe that individuals and the church should be a source of help.  

but in my heart, i feel that this system works for some and takes advantage of others.  there has to be a structure that supports the weak and doesn't only celebrate the strong.  

there has to be a way we can reduce this trend.

on my way out of wal-mart, i noticed the greeter - also a senior, a kind old gentleman, neatly dressed with suspenders.  i don't think it's just a coincidence.