America is in financial turmoil. Tough spending decisions need to be made on several fronts, but it isn't likely to happen until we are deeper in our self-dug hole.

We, led by our leaders, don't seem to have the stomach for anything other than throwing good money after bad ideas. We have been self-crowned the bailout nation. The latest seems to be some sort of rebate or government discount on kitchen appliances.

Much could be, has been and will be written about our financial health. We are not well, and many of the defining words being used to describe our sickness are depressing reminders of better times.

While it would be positive to view our glass of water as being half full, the water seems to be evaporating all too fast.

Following the money, or the water drain, can reveal what ails us. Take HR915. The House recently authorized $53 billion in appropriations to finance the Federal Aviation Administration through fiscal 2012. It might never make it out of the Senate, as the House passed it, but if it does it will become one of countless D.C. expenditures that most Americans know little or nothing about.

Here's another fact about it: It is a political piece of work, maybe even payback, to streamline unionization efforts. The Teamsters and predominately ground package carrier UPS have launched an assault on FedEx in a somewhat hidden 200-plus-word clause. The real costs for Americans could be well more than $53 billion plus a lowering of expectations in express mail delivery.

It is amazing what the people of the United States don't know, what we aren't told, what is in the governmental fine print. We have been led to believe the lie that what we don't know won't hurt us.

But I was reminded of a truth recently that was more hurtful, shameful and ugly than political shenanigans, monetary greed or wastefulness gone wild.

America is a sad place for the elderly.

When older people get "old," with bodies and minds fatigued at various stages and ages, we have a tendency to ignore and eventually discard our loved ones. These are our grandmothers and grandfathers, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles - many of whom are responsible for so much of what is right with America.

Those are harsh words and we must all share some guilt in this unkind reality.

There is no argument that society places a much higher value on young, sexy, beautiful and bright people, even when that isn't the case, only disguised in clever marketing. Who doesn't become a wannabe after watching youthful and mindless television, or by being seduced by entertainment and celebrity glitz - or some other youth-driven venue?

As I age, I grow more uncomfortable with how I am perceived. I know there is little I can do about the aging process, but I don't relish thinking about what others think of me.

My beard is gray, my head in balding, and my left elbow and foot hurt quite often. I'm mentally sharper in the morning, less interested or interesting in the evening. An eight-hour day of working in the yard, around the house or cleaning the garage is now a four-hour day, at best.

In many situations I can still fake my youth with the best of them. But there were no fakes in a bingo tent recently at "Veterans Day" at the Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba, Mich. The men and women who served America turned out en masse; many had been in battles, some physically and/or mentally scarred.

While on vacation, I walked into the bingo tent to kill some time. My interest that day was in people-watching, not winning a $3.55 payout, and I wondered about the link between bingo and the elderly.

One thing quickly became obvious: For the 20 or so veterans, many in wheelchairs at wobbly tables, there was excitement when a nurse or caretaker would yell a surrogate "bingo!"

These proud military men and women, who gave so much for us, were happy to be there - to be anywhere. Winners smiled and clapped like small children.

Still, it was sad to see others drool or shake with palsy; one had trouble remembering his first name.

The younger players ignored the veterans and sat far away from those wearing baseball-style hats and jackets that advertised a branch of the military - or some link to a glorious past.

Peggy Lee's words rang loud in my conscious: "Is that all there is … is that all there is …"

There should be much more for these heroes than three bingo cards for a quarter.

Sixty-four years ago Wednesday, Sept. 2, Japan formally surrendered, ending World War II. If you see a veteran or any of America's elderly on Wednesday, before then or in the future, tell them they are valued and appreciated. Shake their hand, give them a hug, listen to the wisdom that can be gleaned from their stories and life.

And maybe, just maybe, there will be some answers to America's financial troubles.

(You can reach editor John Irby at 250-8266 or john.irby@;bismarcktribune.com.)