America's bottom line--fueled by worries about health-care costs--keeps millions of older citizens from meaningful employment and throws away vital experiences America needs to compete in a global economy.

Age discrimination in employment can be eliminated easily through effective affirmative action--the same techniques historically used to prevent bias regarding gender, race, sexual orientation.

Simply require that an employer's management and labor workforces reflect local demographics. If 50 percent of the available workforce is aged 50-65, then 50 percent of the managers and 50 percent of the laborers must be aged 50-65. Period.

Another litmus test for compliance would be an automatic independent audit to determine if the person eventually hired actually had most of the advertised requirements.

There should be strict bans on eliminating applicants because they were "over-qualified"--now a standard escape clause for age discrimination.

Permitted exceptions would be in occupations requiring demonstrated physical agilities and strengths, such as the armed forces, emergency responders, etc. Another exception would be the lack of applicants in certain age groups.

Stop America from ignoring its most effective and experienced managers and workers. Stop America from committing generational suicide. (12 SEPTEMBER 99)