Thomas Friedman’s Next Book Probably Won’t Be About Rural Elderly
Topic: Beltway Outsider, Government in My Backyard (GIMBY)10. December 2009 |
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The New York Times’ Kirk Johnson looks at how state and local governments are failing the elderly, especially the rural elderly. Recession-fueled budget cuts have lead to 24 states cutting programs for seniors, but some of the biggest problems were not being dealt with by government in the first place: a lack of broadband internet access for the rural elderly, and the lack of public transportation.
In theory, the Obama administration is actually dealing with these problems through stimulus projects that deal with rural broadband and high-speed rail. But only a full-scale federal commitment to building a broadband grid and mass transit would serve the isolated people that Johnson profiles.
understandinggov.org
Surely “mass transit” won’t help the guy who drives 8 miles to the coffee shop and who may not be able to renew his license. I’m not sure there’s any real answer for these people, sad as that may be. Moving to town into a group home may be the only alternative.
comment at 11. December 2009