So where exactly does the Romney/Ryan ticket stand on Social Security and Medicare?
To read (and re-read) Congressman Ryan's previous budget proposals (not his "revised" campaign statements), there can be no question that promises made to all of us "over-60 people" will be modified in order to balance the budget (and pay off the Bush wars in the Middle East). HOWEVER, now that Congressman Ryan (joined by his over-the-top running mate) is a candidate for high office, he doesn't want to alienate the over-55 crowd, given our voting power in this election. This is especially true in two of the so-called swing states of Ohio and Florida.
So now we are asked to believe that Romney/Ryan will only push changes in Social Security and Medicare for those under the age of 55 as well as those making lots of retirement income. I, for one, am skeptical that this promise will be kept after the election...especially if a newly-elected President Romney is "blessed" with a Republican-dominated Congress.
Republicans continue to lump beneficiaries of Social Security and Medicare as "entitlers" despite the fact that we (and our former employers) have paid into these systems throughout our entire working lives. At least with President Obama, there will be a veto waiting for any Republican effort to gut Social Security and Medicare. It's time for Republicans to pony up from their own constituency resources for the war spending and tax cut extravaganza that was eight years of President Bush's presidency.
I know that this election is more than just a referendum on the future of Social Security and Medicare. For all of President Obama's failings, at least we know where he stands on this issue based upon his efforts over the past four years. As for Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan, I also know where they stand based upon their prior records and the comments and speeches they made seeking the Republican endorsement.
It's time to get focused on how we want this nation's economic problems to be solved. With the fiscal cliff looming in the near distant future, we need someone in the White House who will veto solutions that push seniors into the forefront of financing those solutions. It's time for all of us "boomers" to exercise our economic clout in full force. I know I will be voting for my future on November 6.
