What's happened today may look funny for many, but if you think of it, it's rather sad and shows what's the end goal here.
Yesterday someone rang my doorbell, I mean my number at the entrance of the apartment building, which we call interphone, but it's also called intercom. Turned out it was the representative of the gas company, doing checkups every two years, which is mandatory. There's a whole procedure you need to respect, among which you need to have your central heating checked by the specialist, which is also mandatory every two years. These are things you don't want to miss, if you want to be safe.
I told the guy I still have 2 months till the next deadline, so first I need to have my central heating checked, then the gas, which is his department. I got his card and we agreed I'd call, when the time comes.
Today someone rang my doorbell again. Can you guess who it was? It was the representative of the gas company. I recognized the voice right away, but what could I do? I opened the door and right in front of me was standing the same man as yesterday. He introduced himself again, told me the purpose of his visit. I was looking shocked and had to realize he's seriously doesn't remember what happened yesterday.
At that point I was forced to tell him we spoke yesterday and agreed I'd call when the time comes. The funny thing is, he did not remember and even asked me if I have his number. I told him he gave me his card and even showed it to him. At that point he started to smile, but it was more out of embarrassment. He said he could have saved himself from walking up and down the stairs, but at least he crossed my name off the list and made a note, that I'd call when it's time.
Most likely the story seems funny, but I honestly felt sorry for the man. He was in his early 60's I think and trust me, cases like this are not something anyone would want to experience.
I understand that he's speaking to a number of people every single day, but to not remember anything ... my face, the location of my apartment, the door, or any small detail, ... after just 24 hours, it's just sad.
This case made me think of the real reason this happened.
The retirement age for men in my country is 65 years, starting from last year I think and it was raised from 62, which was the previous threshold. This measure was taken last year out of necessity (they say), because the working community can't support the number of pensioners, but the real reason behind the decision is the disastrous economic management and kleptocracy. Over the years the retirement age has been raised several times and I bet this was not the last adjustment we see.
It's very easy for the government to raise the threshold. All they care about is collecting the taxes and contribution to social security funds and nothing more. At some point there were discussion to even raise the threshold to 70 years for men. Imagine the productivity and the efficiency of people this age can have, compared to people 20, 30 years younger. Imagine a bus driver of 65 or 70, responsible for the safety of passengers, driving 8 hours par day, 5 days a week. Can they focus and have the reflexes necessary for this type of job?
Instead of enjoying life (what's left of it or course), playing with grand kids, spending time with family and doing what they couldn't due to bus schedule, they still have to show up to work every day and struggle though work hours, because the government says so. Sometimes you see them doing jobs they are not qualified for, just to get to retirement age.
There has to be a limit to everything, including decent retirement age, but disastrous economic management and kleptocracy too. Working 35 years just to get a miserable pension which can hardly cover the expenses of a decent life is not what people want. Slavery had been abolished a long time ago, but modern age slavery is still a thing.
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