Nothing is more welcome than a good laugh while social distancing and sheltering in place during a pandemic. I especially love to laugh at morons who go out of their way to influence folks to do corrupt, reckless, or even dangerous things so they gain from their demise. A bunch of “do as I say not as I do” wealthy old men who mean their advice for everyone else, not them or theirs.

What am I talking about? It’s the laughable new feeble attempts to fool or shame older folks to return to work and sacrifice themselves to save the country.  The other line is to accept that older Americans should be willing to sacrifice themselves to COVID-19 with a reopened economy for their grand-kids. I shouldn’t be surprised that this attempt of shaming the age 50+ comes from conservative influencers. Well I have news for them, it isn’t working. I know they weren’t specifically directing their BS at the early retired or the regular retired. Nevertheless, now this old FIRE fart refuses to work or freely spend money even more. But please keep the laughs coming. 

Now This Old FIRE Fart Refuses To Work Or Spend, Thanks For My New Purpose

I have always been open to work in my early retirement. I’ve always worked because I wanted to, never needed to. But this new line being puked on conservative media has me thinking differently. It’s hard to think now that I would accept returning to work or freely reopening my wallet for any reason until there is a COVID-19 vaccine or antidotal treatment. I owe this new purpose all to conservative influencers, but please, anyone who wants to go right ahead. This old FIRE fart will  be keeping my distance. 

I stopped allowing people to tell me what I should or I will do when I FIRE’d and retired early. Big news flash, shaming didn’t work on me then and now as an old FIRE fart won’t work today. It’s just laughable and I only even go through the trouble of this post to mock this new line of tying love for country to the economy. I mean, just ditching the rat race is an audacious act in itself which makes me economically defiant to the system. I sure as hell won’t be shamed by any political influencer or politician. 

Here’s the most recent list of *#*$!# conservative influencers in just the last two days that I can thank for the laughs and for shaping my new FIRE attitude:

Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick- Grandparents would be willing to die to save the economy for their grandchildren. Save the America that we all love for the grandchildren. 

Glen Beck– Older Americans should return to work: Even if we all get sick, I would rather die than kill the country.

Brit Hume- Putting lives of old people at risk to save the economy: It’s ‘entirely reasonable

My Moderate Views Has Me Politically Unaffiliated

Before anyone thinks I’m just a left wing socialist let me say that I have no political affiliation. I just don’t have the fear and grievance to buy what’s constantly being sold. Instead I have values that I live by and vote by. 

I do want a better country for my grand kids. But I choose to concentrate on supporting climate change. The same far right conservatives talk about older Americans sacrificing themselves for a better country for their offspring but refuse to put climate over dollars for their grand-kids. I am not surprised that for them lives are easily sacrificed for dollars too.

These full on pro-life folk for the unborn where every life is precious have no problem beginning their messages for older folks to just let go and see what happens. The message that risking death for the economy as patriotic is hypocritical to say the least. 

I think it’s best to listen to the medical professionals. Not politicians, political media influencers, or their worshipers. What the medical professionals say is the direction we should all go for a better outcome. I mean, for two months before this all got real, all we heard from the non-medical professionals was this was a hoax and a plan to politically hurt the president. Pathetic! So no, I won’t be influenced by anything they say now.

When I hear that the economy is the country I hear nothing but greed and power being challenged. I think that’s wonderful so keep it up. I believe the country is its people and I will only spend on necessities and at small local businesses I have always supported. 

Final Thoughts

When these far right conservatives put themselves out there at risk first then talk to the rest of us about the sacrifice for the country and patriotism. It’s like a draft dodger trying to convince us to go fight a war. How stupid is that? Talking about opening up the country for the economy and country’s sake before they themselves are back in full-on political rally mode and attending intimate country club fund raisers is laughable. Do as you say first before expecting any of us to follow. But please, please keep bringing the laughs. 

If you hate this old FIRE fart for refusing to accept the new conservative pandemic talking points then all I can say is I would rather lose all of my portfolio than give up the life of my elderly mother. So go ahead and hate, it seems to come easy to many far right conservatives. I didn’t FIRE for the economy, but to enjoy LIFE and spend as much time as I can with those I love. Not risk my life for an economy. This country is its people, not money. 

Update 4/29/20: Anyone who experiences job loss due to the pandemic can check a new estimated stimulus unemployment benefit calculator. Zippia analyzed each state’s unemployment policies to determine how much unemployed workers can expect to receive under the coronavirus stimulus by state and salary. Remember, in addition to state level benefits, unemployed workers now receive an additional $600 a week for the next 4 months regardless of income. (The calculator is not a paid or sponsored link)