Anyone worried when Obama talks about "sacrifice" and SS and Medicare

[Peregrine Took]

reform?

Some people are in a better position than others to "sacrifice."

[glowing]

1. I'm hoping that means the wealthy, because many seniors cannot afford

any cuts, and in fact, need more help than is currently being provided.

[pacalo]

2. If I had my way, it would be the top 1% of the wealthiest who should sacrifice

an extra vacation home, yacht, or any other expensive non-essential acquired through the boy king's tax cuts.

Just watch the "Real Housewives of (Orange County) or (Atlanta)" on Bravo sometime to see how shallow & wasteful the rich can be, when most people are just trying to survive to the next week.

[elleng]

3. Not worried.

Remember, we elected him because he's both smart AND intelligent.

[readmoreoften]

5. No. We elected him because he wasn't a Republican and he's likable and good-looking.

And a centrist and because he has a good speechwriter.

[elleng]

7. Is that why you voted for him?

Your family? Your friends?

[stillcool]

10. You mean he's a good writer?

I myself voted for him because I volunteered to work on his campaign, and <gasp> still think he is the best Presidential material we've seen in a long time. But then, I wasn't looking for a Messiah, and don't expect miracles.

[Sherman A1]

4. I will wait until I see what is planned and

discussed. I am concerned about Ss and medicare, but let's see what direction this is taking.

[BlueJac]

6. I think we are all in for a surprise!

To many of the same players involved.



Change we can believe in?

[david13]

8. I'm not worried

at all about Barak Obama. He will do the best that anyone can do. That doesn't mean perfection. Just the best that can be done. I trust him.
dc

[defendandprotect]

9. Definitely ....

Let's start "sacrificing" capitalists ....

[stillcool]

11. I thought 'we' were going to get involved..

as 'we' did during the campaign...only more so. After all, the only way to affect change is for people to pressure their representatives to do the right thing, and pass legislation that benefits 'we the people'. Isn't that how Democracy works? I'm sure you've heard his speeches where he mentions things that 'we' as individuals can do to 'sacrifice' like limiting our energy usage, turning off the tv, contributing to your community. Fortunately, I think there are more people out there that are willing to 'do' something, than what is represented here at DU.

[TygrBright]

12. I'm not worried.

There has been a multi-layered planning process going on for years among centrist/liberal and progressive policy wonks on how to sort out senior entitlement program issues. Tactics include phase-ins, targeting high-income seniors, lifting contribution caps, and other ways of making the impact on the neediest beneficiaries minimal or unnoticeable.

I don't plan on retiring at 65 anyway-- never did. If they raise the benefits distribution minimum age for people in my age cohort, I'm guessing by the time we get there we won't worry about it much. We won't be ready to retire by then anyway-- some because we can't afford to regardless of SS benefit levels, and some because we don't want to. If this is combined with some way of spreading health care costs across all age groups to make America one big risk pool, Medicare-specific costs will go way down as well.

It will probably take upwards of a decade to implement and start feeling the effects in any case.

calmly,
Bright