yatzr: not by a longshot, the difference with today though, is that in earlier times, a couple might have had 4 parents, of which if you were lucky, 2 would still live when they were 60.
That couple would have had several brothers and sisters, who in some way would have helped support the parents as well.
These days, in western countries, there are few families with more than 2-3 children anymore, and yet the elderly (of which a much bigger number survives today) can easily live 20 years longer. It's no longer uncommon for greatgrandparents to see their greatgrandchildren start elementary school. The elderly just live longer, it's a proven fact. Just check for some demographics for western industrialised countries. Compare the chart from today with those from 50 years ago. You'll see that a smaller and smaller group (active working part) is having to support more and more people.
Mael: As for everyone having a price... Sure, in the eyes of contract killers, people can have a price. Because they don't bother to know their targets, helps them keep sane in a small way I guess.
But it seems to me you are just generalising the entire group of elderly in the category of "vegetables". I do agree that people who do not react anymore to their surroundings, that have to be kept alive with machines etc are a drain, but those conditions can just as well happen with all kinds of diseases or accidents.
You speak of future value of children...
Well the elderly also have value... Which you can use RIGHT NOW. Innit great?
Cited arguments here were financial concerns and roadsafety according to the original post. Hell, enlist some more driving instructors, call in all people every 10 years to take a test and you'll see the road-safety increase by alot more than the percentage that old people are responsible for. Also provide some more decent public transportation. You'll get alot of unemployed people off the streets with those two extra joblines, and you'll solve the "problem with the elderly driving" already. Hah, I'll balance the whole US budget, just gimme a few months
As for financial concerns: like I said, a decent solution has to be found for this. Maybe retirement should be pushed back a few years, I dunno. The idea of the pension is that people can maintain their lifestandard after they retire. So you can't really go cutting it in half. The money has to come from some other place... No idea where though. I'm not an economist.
And finally: a person is worth alot more than just his economical value.