This is Staffordshire --HOW long before it becomes a criminal offence to be aged 60 plus in this country?
Judging by comments attributed to Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, that he would be prepared to cap the state pension if Labour wins the 2015 election, then we may be getting close to this.
He states that the 'clear large bulk' of social security spending went to those over 60. This is despite the fact that we have one of worst pensions in Europe.
I suggest that all politicians should consider the contribution pensioners have made to the economy, and are still doing so.
I started work as an 18 year old and paid all taxes and National Insurance contributions until I was 65, when I was relieved of only NIC. I continue to pay all other taxes.
My state pension uses up my personal allowance, which has been frozen, while the differential for pensioners has not been maintained in line with increases in other personal allowances.
A major cause of the problems in the NHS is because we are living longer, and perhaps it is no coincidence the tragic deaths in hospitals such as Stafford mainly involve the elderly, who are a burden on society.
We make a major contribution to society with our unpaid childcare duties as grandparents,but we are lower in the pecking order than all those who have made no contribution.
The doctrines of the EU requiring benefits to be paid to anyone from the EU who lands on these shores, coupled with the insistence of David Cameron and his cronies in ring fencing foreign aid, has totally misjudged the mood the electorate.
Politicians, please note that 'grey power' holds the key to the next general election. Ignore us at your peril.
RICHARD GIBBINS
Trentham Reported by This is 11 hours ago.