Part of the freedom of being a "senior" is being either totally self-centered or choosing to use one's time in a variety of ways that help others... family, friends, or strangers. Today, I chose the last choice and am spending the day with 40 other seniors who will be working together for the next two month to help other seniors. That's part of "community."
It seems that there is a lot of the attitude that "I've paid my taxes and the government can handle the helping out for me." Maybe that's why we've got what we've got.