The War on Aging

by Jim Ward

In the mid 21st Century, many of the rich nation states passed Age Limitation Legislation. These new laws, now passed by a majority of the Untied Nations ( an organization previously known as the United Nations, but the member nations moved a couple of letters around in recognition that they were not united about anything), mean that the citizens of these nation states now have to voluntarily end their lives when they reach the age of 70. Life-ending ceremonies are known as Socratization Ceremonies.  They are attended by family and friends. The person whose funeral it is makes a speech and then drinks the hemlock and all present cheer. There is one alternative to self destruction and this is to become a soldier in the perpetual war, a war waged between the Age Limitation nation states and those states that have not bought into the notion. Most of these latter are 'third world' nation states, where very few people live to 70 anyhow. The main characters in the story are those hiding from the 'Aging Police'. They are over 70 and don't wish to Socratize nor be involved in the perpetual war. Other key characters are politicians who are strong advocates and supporters of Age Limitation legislation and members of the underground movement attempting to unseat Age Limitation legislation. The story ranges far and wide across the world.

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2013