The legacy of the housing crisis remains firmly in place - largely undiscussed but still potent, hidden deep beneath the surface of contemporary politics. It is a legacy that falls most heavily on the young. Five features of that legacy are particularly relevant now.

Better wages, better health and retirement benefits, better schedules, better training---these are what make "happier Associates." It will take more than clean floors and new name badges to increase worker "ownership." It does not appear that Wal-Mart is anywhere near ready to climb that ladder.

Fresh ideas and approaches can empower a brighter future of aging, and the emergence of financial gerontology is cause for hope. This link between two disciplines that are critically important to the aging population presents the potential for new solutions and healthy, productive and purposeful outcomes for today's older adults and for generations to come.

I fled the Islamic Republic of Iran with a suitcase, a thousand dollars, and no regrets. But it wasn't easy; I had to rebuild my life from scratch. Less than ten years later, I faced a decision that threatened to erase most of what I had accomplished, and I hesitated as I weighed the consequences.

Sadly, we seldom hear of board members standing up and pushing back against management excess.

Simply asserting increased longevity -- that miracle of 20th century science, medicine, technology and health care -- will be a drag on the economy lacks both vision and imagination.