To the editor,
The workplace has changed so dramatically in the last 10 years that the American dream of having retirement benefits that allow one to retire at age 62 or 65 is rapidly disappearing. A major factor in attaining retirement benefits is closely associated with a combination of an individual’s steady work ethic and a robust business environment.
Unfortunately, with big government trying to control both an individual’s livelihood and the business community with a number of nanny state programs and oppressive taxes and regulations, it has taken its toll on the retirement dream of many individuals.
With the government enabling people to get on and stay on welfare by having children out of wedlock and lowering the requirements for getting disability income, they have created a sector of our nation to be non-productive toward raising the living standards of the lower classes. We are no longer a nation of low, middle or upper class, but a nation of sectors with the lowest income groups destined to remain status quo. And that’s a shame.
Joblessness is not all the governments fault, but it’s up to the government to create programs to help those who unfortunately have lost their jobs to get back into the workplace as soon as possible. Unemployment benefits are a good start but when they are extended for years they, result in long term detriment to the individual. Being out of work for 2 years leads to causing some individuals to become obsolete.
We live in a fast paced technology environment. Those who have jobs usually get their skill level updated by their employer. The unemployed fall behind and therefore don’t qualify for many of the jobs which are currently available. That’s why there are lots of ads for jobs that are not being filled even with a high unemployment rate.
Obama Care is a good example of growing the government bigger and shrinking jobs while making the consumer pay more for health services he doesn’t need.
This type of government intervention just wreaks havoc with individual’s lives, both financially and potentially healthcare wise.
I believe our current government’s ideology is having a huge impact on the retirement dream of many people, but especially on the young who will have to bear the burden of a huge national debt and will be getting a late start on earning for the future because of misguidance from those leading our country.
They used to say there were two things you could be sure of death and taxes. Taxes are a slow death; I’m hoping that death, when it comes, is less painful.

Karl Kachadoorian
Tryon