Thanks for the comments
one of the reasons for the "tone" of my original post was to test the waters to find general attitudes to "oldies"
so now I am really asking, should we "oldies" accept blame as per the inter generational report for the economic ineptitude of this and previous governments, and the excess of "bad will" from a "worker-reproducer generation" for their current predicaments. or should we attempt to put it in balance.

We should remember there has been no real infrastructure development since we left the "arena" and mostly we built and paid for the original hospital, roads and international airport systems and look at its state now. What is being quoted and forced on us is the classic textbook arguments I was forced to read and learn in uni in the early eighty's. The workforce participation value of 65 percent is measured by the ABS as 18 to 65 yo without counting anyone in full time education and it has reduced in the last couple of years by 5 percent. Do we oldies now need to "prop up" a "failed" system and if so how. Yes I am retired but I would be willing to teach 15-20 hours a week, It would keep me young.

Dear Mawsouth,

I didn't realize that teachers had to retire
at 65. I thought that because there's such
a shortage of teachers - that you could keep
on teaching well into your 70s - especially
in rural areas.

Anyway, doesn't the current government want to extend
the retirement age?

Love to Foxy but there is a problem. I only have "life Skills" not teaching quals. so the department of ageism would reject me

Dear Mawsouth,

Ah, well, then - how about challenging
yourself? Acquire the teaching credentials
that you need? As a "mature age" student -
set yourself up at either uni or tafe or
whatever - set yourself a goal - and go for it!
What else have you got to do? This way - you'll
be putting your "life-skills," to good use!

I always believe - that if you've got the time
to complain about something - then you've
got the time to do something about it!

If you've got the passion - you've got the
solution!

Foxy
It is nice to see that you are just opting out....
I Quote.

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/boss-lady/20100201-don-t-call-me-old.html

"The aging generation as they have now been dubbed has given the Coalition a new line of attack. Abbott, as he did today, can now accuse Rudd of demeaning older Australians with the suggestion that they are responsible for the nation's economic problems.

But politics aside, Abbott has a point. Lumping an entire generation into the "ageing" category is extremely limiting. Within this old fuddy-duddy group you have a huge array of very wealthy, sophisticated people with masses of money to spend – or leave behind. You also have a deep skill set, leadership skills and acquired wisdom.

And these people have time on their hands and the energy to spend their money and pass on their skills. They will not take kindly to being dumped into the ageing category."

But it might also be nice to "Live a little longer" in a world outside your head and see your great grand kids too
you could also research this site http://primaryschooling.net/?page_id=231

and think about what your current grandchild will go through at school

or read (if you can) my paper which has been submitted to Parliament http://www.jtomkins.com/engage/Lateralthoughts.pdf

Exactly Foxy. One of my lovely neighbours in her late 50's decided to become a teacher after raising her six children [beautifully]and 8 yrs ago completed her correspondence primary school teaching. Still loving teaching and well loved by staff and students.