Tough choices necessary

[beachFool]

This is part of the problem.

Everyone (or most everyone) has focused only on Social Security - the Gordian Knot is Medicare/Tricare.

 

[30ashopper]

This is part of the problem.

Everyone (or most everyone) has focused only on Social Security - the Gordian Knot is Medicare/Tricare.

Both systems need to have their retirement ages lifted and benefits slashed, but both political parties resist such change, they know elderly voters very well. It'll take a major crisis before the American pubic is willing to accept the change we need. Democrats seem to be doing a pretty good job these days of driving us in that direction.

 

[Linda]

Both systems need to have their retirement ages lifted and benefits slashed, but both political parties resist such change, they know elderly voters very well. It'll take a major crisis before the American pubic is willing to accept the change we need. Democrats seem to be doing a pretty good job these days of driving us in that direction.

"Entitlements must be cut. By 2030, the Congressional Budget Office is estimating that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will make up 75% of our budget spending. In other words, unless we get a handle on entitlement spending, it will be impossible to get our deficits under control. That means the age eligibility for these programs must be raised and the amount spent per person will need to be dropped to try to close the gap between what we take in and what we pay out. Given how explosive this issue is politically, it's not going to be easy to accomplish. However, it's not realistic to believe that future generations of Americans are going to be willing to live like indentured servants for decades to support their own personal senior citizen who's lying around in a hammock somewhere, enjoying a 25 year long retirement. The sooner we start making changes, the easier it will be on everyone and the less shock there will be to the system when the inevitable changes start to take place."

John Hawkins : 5 Ugly Truths Americans Will Have to Face - Townhall.com

 

[beachFool]

Spending cuts alone won't save Medicare.

One of the reasons it is in such dire straits is because of the totally unfunded Medicare Part D.

Please lets keep the politics out No one is blameless.

 

[30ashopper]

The last time we implemented successful, major reform of systems like this, we did it with a moderate democrat in the White House, and republicans controlling Congress. I have high hopes for the near future!