The presidential debates last week had a glaring hole, one that everyone should be concerned about.
I don’t know about you, but I watched all four hours of the presidential debates last week. I do sort of thrive on those things. But didn’t you think there was something missing? Something major that was not asked?
There was not one question from the moderators about fixing Social Security, or Medicare, or Medicaid, or our growing national debt. The Social Security “trust fund” is projected to be depleted in 16 years, just when the last boomer turns 71. Next year it will spend more than it takes in for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Medicare’s hospital insurance “trust fund” is expected to be depleted by 2026, when the first boomers hit 80. How can they talk about Medicare for All when Medicare for just the elderly is woefully underfunded?
Whether you like his policies or not, Bernie Sanders needs a lesson in basic math, because so far, his numbers just do not add up. Trump’s don’t either. Must be something in the water.
Most everyone in D.C. could use a math lesson as well. I want to hear about their plans for Social Security other than the easy way out of taxing the rich. I want to hear about Medicaid, the federal deficit. Our current leaders, as well as past ones, have kicked the can down the road long enough. They need to get kicked in their butts with a dose of reality, and soon.
Can’t wait for the next debate. Have a Happy 4th!
Holy Cannoli! Your line “how can you talk about medicare for all when medicare for the elderly is woefully underfunded” is the best, most succinct, rejoinder to that illusory and ill-conceived concept I have heard yet. Bravo!! I will be quoting early and often as that subject continues to raise its head…
Happy 4th!
Steve
I agree with Steve. This is not a party line issue. This is a true American issue that will impact EVERYONE in the very near future.
Thanks Steve. Yeah, I am surprised the moderators did not ask that particular question. Yes, the elderly do love their Medicare, and I can’t wait to sign up for traditional Medicare (not MA) in November, but they all cover up the funding issues. Have a happy 4th yourself.
It definitely is an issue for all of us, and I am sick and tired of our elected officials being unable to step up to the plate and have a serious talk with the American people that we have to deal with it.
Here in Nobosopo, north of Boston, south of Portland, there’s a Wild West shoot-out between HCA/Portsmouth and Partners/Boston/ Exeter Hospital/Dover NH Wentworth Douglas Hospital, in which they’re building new facilities in each others’ back yards and really shaking up the delivery system. They are approaching operators like me (100 beds, dementia, two facilities) to use their new emergency rooms that channel people to their acute care facilities. This is real time, real business, not politics, which is deserving of Steve’s attention in some fashion.
Thanks John. I suppose they need to generate revenues to pay for the construction debt, but to market to you to drive people to the ER seems to be a very old school way of thinking. And you don’t want that to happen either. Seems unusualy. Are your dementia facilities licensed as SNFs or assisted living?
100 beds, two one story buildings, all dementia, parkinson’s palliative and hospice,all private pay excellent SMSA north of Boston
The entire group are a disgrace to the USA and what Americans stand for.
I wouldn’t call them a disgrace to the USA. What was a disgrace was that the moderators didn’t bring up Social Security and Medicare.