Don't worry-- we only want to destroy Medicare for people under 55!

I love how the people who want to destroy Medicare always stress that point, as if they just assume everyone is as self-centered as they are. They don't even consider that people might be concerned for the welfare of their children, grandchildren, neighbors, friends, etc. It really is bizarre to me every time I hear some talking head say it. It's like they just don't realize what such an argument says about them.

Worse than that, the same people who use words like "Mediscare" to describe accurate portrayals of their own legislation generally couple their argument with warnings that Medicare will go *poof* soon for everyone if they aren't allowed to use their bulldozers on it... essentially telling the elderly that if they'll just climb in the boat now and help pull up the ladder, they won't have to drown with their kids. But that's not a scare tactic.

so not much any of us can do about it.

I am, even though I just made the cut-off.

by making sure their grandkids are burdened with caring for their parents in their old age. Makes so much sense....

Anyone between 40-55 will be the ones really screwed as there is no where near enough time for them to make up the savings needed to care for themselves in old age.

Mean people in this equation are like my parents who fully support taking medicare away from me while utilizing it themselves. Stupid people are ones like my brother and sister who are eager to screw themselves. sigh.....

one group while allowing the other to have that something will create resentment toward the group that maintains access to that something. It wouldn't be long before the call goes out to take it away from them to. "What did they ever do to deserve better treatment?" Ten to twenty years on they will be calling to de-fund whatever is left of Medicare and let the 75+ers fend for themselves.

still taking those less-profitable traditional Medicare patients.

they use the same strategy over and over.

it's called "two tier" and they used it on auto workers and other factory workers, they're using it on teachers, and they're using it on everybody that paid into ss.

However, I expect him to concede before the start of negotiations, as is his custom.

But he's always been a strong supporter of Medicare -- and the Democrats realize that this is an issue that's strongly breaking in their favor. They're not going to throw this opportunity away.

And however you try to frame it, Obama says Medicare is on the table... And things on the table tend to roll off in a unidirectional way. I feel WAY under supported by our current administration.

And I didn't always expect the worst, nor do I now, I expect precisely the same as he's shown us in since his election. The worst would be MUCH worse, but sadly, his BEST is way below the expectations I, and many others, had during his campaign.

which makes total sense. Why should private hospitals make profits of 25% and more? U.S. medical care costs are much higher than the rest of the world and we can't continue on this trajectory.

There are plenty of ways to reduce Medicare spending that won't hurt recipients at all. For example, current law prevents Medicare from negotiating better drug prices from the manufacturers, as Canada does. Also, when research says that certain procedures are unnecessary or even harmful, we should be taking that research into consideration. Why should an 80 year old have a screening colonoscopy, for example, when he has a greater risk of dying from the procedure than from an undiagnosed colon cancer?

not just those who are close to 55. We are all in this together. I hate being divided by age groups and I'm already on SS. United we stand, divided we fall and that means all of us.

As the number of elderly people on traditional Medicare dwindles, more and more doctors and hospitals will simply refuse to care for those lower-profit people -- just as many of them now reject patients on Medicaid (which should be a crime, but isn't.)

Either that, or the price-breaks which the government is now able to negotiate through sheer numbers will disappear.

political parties, religions, etc... they will use anything to keep the masses at each others throats.

If your 54 you've only paid into the system for 35 to 39 years. Now, if you've been paying in for 36 to 40 years, then you just can't renege on the promise. :sarcasm:
GAC

I guess they don't want the under 55 vote.