Age 65, The death sentence of Life, Liberty, and our pursuit of Happiness.

 Age 65, the arbitrary number of forced retirements. A life altering, economically devastating law based solely on tradition. Will one day affect and impact every man and women living in the United States. The architects of Social Security arbitrarily chose age 65 as the benefit age of retirement. "There was no scientific, social, or gerontological basis for their selection. It was merely the consensus that 65 was the most acceptable age. Members of the Committee on Economic Security agreed. The Social Security Act Signed into law by President Roosevelt August 14,1935.  This Law in my humble opinion, infringes on our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Many Americans 65 and older want to work and some of Us, must continue to work.  Employers have eliminated pension plans and moved towards 401K plans.  Some jobs are just that a JOB. Offering nothing more than a paycheck each week.

The age at which some Americans can collect full Social Security has changed over the years as well.  Leaving some forced retirees without full Social Security benefits because they have attained the age of 65 but cannot collect full benefits till 66-1/2 Forcing them to take reduced benefits. after a lifetime of commitment to the Social Security program.  Today Who can live a fruitful life merely relying on payments from Social Security benefits?  Without employment, we cannot pay our bills, rent, mortgage, medicine, provide for our families or just Plain live. 

May 19, 1969.  I was an 18-year-old United States Marine. I was old enough to go to war, fight, Kill or be killed.   May 18, 1970.  I returned home to the world. I was now 19 years old and stationed at Marine Corps Base. Camp Pendleton California.  A Viet Nam veteran, not old enough to drink a beer.

Now it has happened again. I have been told,  I am too, old to work.  Go on an interview and it is impossible for baby boomers to hide their age. The 65 age requirement of retirement makes it impossible for us to reinvent ourselves  Employers are simply not willing to hire a 65-year-old.  Congress needs to revisit and abolish this discriminatory and unconstitutional forced retirement age of 65. It has been deemed at age 65.  I am too old to perform my simple job. I must retire.  However, at 78 years of age.  You can be President of the United States.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal, they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.  Many of my fellow servicemen and service women swore an oath. We have fought and some have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the Constitution and our great nation.   I believe it is time the constitution and our nation comes to our defense.  We need the help of all Americans to please come to the defense of all Americans and fight a common enemy. Age discrimination. 

Americans need to abolish this unconstitutional mandatory 65-year-old retirement. 

Semper Fidelis 

Sgt. Barta. A. U.S.M.C. 1969 -1970