Use of English PRO

(0) AS befits my new status as a dependent, I must keep my head down, stop clamouring for a better pension and (1) ............ grateful for my free bus pass and for concessions when I go into a museum. The whole welfare system seems hellbent on (2) ............ me in what "they" think is my proper place. (3) ............ is so exasperating is that (4) ............ of this is inevitable. Ageism is a European phenomenon, a comparatively recent by-product of the industrial society, in (5) ............, as non-workers, older people are a drag (6) ............ the market, of (7) ............ value, a cost and (8) ............ problem.