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Statement Of Rev. Regina Ragan
Environmental Protection Agency
Aging Initiative Public Listening Session
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
April 23, 2003
Rev. Regina Ragan
Testimony for seniors
I am here today humbly to say
That many of us have seen a better day
I'm reminded of a poet of old
Who said "age is rich and loaded with gold"
Because there is nothing the matter with me
I am as happy as can be
I have arthritis in both knees
And when I sneeze I wheeze
I don't leave the house without my purse
Because the air we breathe has gotten worse
Polluted with the aerosols to make it cleaner
But the purpose it served was to make life more demeanor
In my purse are the pills and inhalers to breathe
So the person next to me don't hear me wheeze
And folks have depredations regarding asking us about living
But no reservations about requesting our giving
Out time to others as volunteers with a voice
But when it comes to medical treatment we have no choice
We have physician, which gave meaning to the word concern
But the HMO's said no they have something to learn
Because if you need a medication that is conducive to your allergies
You better hope the doctor can give it to you for free
For HMO's do not pay for the pill that will award you the energy from diseases which have taken a toll
Because the world requires a medical dysfunctional numbers for some special poll
Lets also remember the limitation that have taken from us
The local communities and the people we trust
For to pay for the medications we couldn't keep up the taxing
And lost the homes and porches which was for us relaxing
So we move to the high-rises, which were suppose to be a safety zone
Until you gave younger gunshot, drug dealers this as their home
Now our lungs are exposed to the other pollutants juices
Until we smelt the weed and the other drug abuses
We will go beyond just registering a complaint that is never changed
Because they have their rights so our communities they have gained
Everyone talks about growing old with dignity
But not when you have taken my freedom from me
About my heart which has grown old with the rest of me
How can you say the best is yet to be?
Instead of being just a community parted
When I walk out the door my heart is jump-started
By the unsafeness of the neighborhood
And the medicine prescribed that's expensive but no good
We are assaulted before we walk out our home
On the first of the month we should never be left alone
And what about the buses that stop door to door
What use are they we can get on them any more
And what about my meeker saving the would by the extra can of Spam
But it disappeared because I just got scammed
The calls at dinnertime from the telemarketers and skimmers
That say we have a million and you are part winner
This chemical has given a different meaning to fresh air
But beside my inhaler who really cares
The only time we see polititians is when it time for elections
Then they VI for our affection
After it over no one really gives a kitty about what we need
For we are living in a land of greed
What about the oxygen we need to breath
Or the other medicine that is used to relieve
The conditions created by age and your purifying the air
But in reality who but us cares
To make the world a better place for living
And our time more valuable for giving
The experience we gathered along the way
Hoping suffering is not the price we have to pay
For there are opportunity and aids to better our skills
But we have developed the I can't afford it will
Because in spite of all the technological stuff
The money we have is just not enough
So we are wondering if you are the group to make changes or have a different way to do it
If so, you have our permission to step to it.
So we suggest to you as a solution to what we see
If you can't fix it then just let us be.