Our government is spending billions of dollars looking for a new earth. Billions are being spent on researching the different planets. As all this money is being spent in the outer stratosphere, our very own families are suffering here. Our elderly, who worked very hard to give my generation a fabulous future, are being denied health care, affordable living communities, and their social security benefits are being cut. The elderly should be able to retire, but as of now, up to the age of 70 years old, are seeking part time employment. Just to make ends meet. Due to financial hardships many of our elderly are returning to live with their adult children, and feel like they are a burden to them. Many of our elderly have to leave their homes, because funding for In Home Supportive Services are being cut and move into residential care facilities when family members are unable to take them in. The elderly can become a financial burden to an already low income household.
Our elderly should not suffer, for they are the ones who have contributed so much to this country and our future, should be considered a priceless jewel that should be preserved. Our families members with disabilities are also being denied affordable health care. Education is only the least of their problems. As the disabled child grows into adulthood, their parents get older. Without their parents or family to care for them, the real dilemma begins. The billions being spent in space travel, should be used to help these two groups.

Many parents want to what’s right for their children with special needs. They look for ways to ensure that their children will be taken cared for when they enter adulthood. They do this because it frightens them to think of what would happen to their children if they should pass away. Many siblings with brother ands sisters with disabilities will take care of them if something should happen to their parents. Sometimes the brothers and sisters may say that they will help in caring for their siblings with special needs and end up putting them in homes or institutions. According to the statistics from CVRC as of the year 2007, 49 % of children with disabilities when older live with family members. 32 % of these kids when they grow up go to institutions and homes. Only 3% are able to live independently. When these children grow up it is difficult to find and keep a job. They need someone to spend time teaching them how to do their job. But finding someone to do that is very difficult. About 6 % of special needs kids get a job and only 49% never get to work. As our government squanders billions and billions of dollars in the outer stratosphere knowing that our 2 most fragile groups here on earth will not benefit but be left hurting for daily living accommodations is unfathomable to me.

My mother has made sure that one of us will be able to look after my brother Julian. She has worked very hard to teach Julian how to be independent and has designated chores to do around the house. My mother has made sure that Julian will not be a burden. Our elderly of this nation should never be a burden. Our nations two most suffering groups could be helped if the government stops squandering billions of dollars to look at distant planets and uses the money to help with health care, accommodations, services for them.

"No government can love a child, and no policy can substitute for a family's care. But at the same time, government can either support or undermine families as they cope with moral, social and economic stresses of caring for children." - Hillary Clinton.