Living: Grays on The Go

America's seniors are more numerous, active and powerful, but their clout comes at a cost

No one ever expected America to age gracefully. How could the country of adolescent spirit, reckless politics, marathons, short skirts, unbounded energy and a restless imagination admit that its body is growing old? Not with Ronald Reagan in the saddle at 77. Or Joe Niekro, a starting pitcher at 43, fluttering knuckle balls past cross-eyed youngsters on a Saturday afternoon. Or Dr. Jonas Salk, 73, who developed the first polio vaccine 35 years ago, searching for an AIDS vaccine. Or Elizabeth Taylor at 55, flashing a luscious violet smile from a magazine cover. We don't have to slow down, they seem...

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