So Much at Stake for Seniors (and Future Seniors) in This Election

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/Political-Action-Legislation/So-Much-at-Stake-for-Seniors-and-Future-Seniors-in-This-Election

Oct 10, 2012 Max Richtman | Political




Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, sends us this.

It should be no surprise that Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are issues driving voters in this election. A total of 49 million people depend on Medicare, more than 60 million on Medicaid and 55 million on Social Security. These programs touch the lives of virtually every American family in every community in our nation, yet candidates continue to dodge and deflect on their plans for these vital programs. We saw this strategy played out in full view during the first presidential debate. Will we see more of the same when Vice President Joe Biden and vice presidential contender Rep. Paul Ryan meet this week? I certainly hope not.

Working people of all ages are tired of the political spin used by candidates who call benefit cuts “reform” and privatization “preservation.” Republican Party leaders have been understandably worried that voters will get a good look at their radical plans to end traditional Medicare by replacing it with privatized “CouponCare.” They’ve adopted an avoidance strategy, which was implemented extremely well by Mitt Romney in the first presidential debate.

This election will likely determine the very future of these programs and thereby the economic futures of generations of middle- and working-class American families. So, I say it’s past time that candidates get beyond political platitudes and phony promises. Voters must hold them accountable for the real-life consequences of their plans for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Here are a few of those consequences:
The End of Traditional Medicare

FULL story at link.

[still_one]

1. Yup, and how many will vote against thselves

[jody]

2. I have not read a credible report that says our future economy can pay for all the health care and

other programs needed for an aging population.

IMO we will have to use rationing with all its attendant inequities.

I wish it were not so but I fear it will be necessary.

[Cha]

3. Thanks Steve! Yep, that would

be a lot of us!