Giving Up Driving, Unselfishly, for Society's Sake

THE A.A.R.P. started sending me propaganda when I was forty nine years old, urging me to join, and hasn't stopped. A literalist, I declined, and still decline; I wasn't retired, except for a brief two year period when I turned sixty. I later consequently reentered the work force, where I remain. I like the organization because of its progressive values, but with minor reservations. As a senior citizen, I am comforted to know that there exists a large and influential organization advocating on my behalf. My reservation is that by so doing, the A.A.R.P. is a special interest group, albeit a huge one,. I prefer people and organizations which advocate for everyone, for cause like clean air, clean water, eradication of poverty, ending war, ending right wing extremism, and so forth. IN a world of divergent interests, special groups serve a purpose I realize. Another reservation is that by representing the interests of a particular group, the A.A.R.P. advocates for causes which might not be in the best interests of the larger society. For example, unless I'm dreaming, the A.A.R.P. advocates for the privilege of senior citizens to retain driver's licenses and continue driving no matter how old they are, as long as they are capable of driving. For societal safety, limiting the privilege of driving to within age limits, such as eighteen and ninety, would reduce traffic congestion, greatly reduce injuries and fatalities. No matter who one is one's reflexes and senses are not as acute at ninety; its time to let someone else do the driving. Sixteen year olds have auto accidents at an alarming rate. The imminent advent of computer driven cars will render this a moot point, fortunately, since the number of automotive fatalities will drop in the U>S from over thirty five thousand a year to near zero, and worldwide fatalities will drop from over a million annually to near zero. (My mother once said that we already have too many people; I gently redirected her off base thinking.) Someone pointed out that since everyone eventually gets old, the A.a.R.P. is actually not a special interest group. I disagree. Tragically, many folks don't live long. Twenty percent of American children live in poverty, a national disgrace. childhood poverty dramatically shortens the human life span. The elderly have had a lifetime during to prepare for their needs in old age. Impoverished children have not. the a.A.R.P. does nothing for them. It can be argued that all philanthropic activity should benefit children, since everyone is a child, and that by serving children we are investing in the future, which benefits everyone.