well, that's part of my plan as well - but I disagree as to the portion of the problem that it solves. SS as it stands is a miserable abuse of our poor.
this is strictly SS. For Medicare
I'd have to redirect you to another thread.
But you are right to link the two. It kind of doesn't matter what we do to SS if we don't fix Medicare.
I don't have as much an issue with Medicare as I do with medicaid.
The solution to SS, m-care and m-aide doesn't lie with the gov't... unless you want a miserable unworkable solution that bows to profit interests.
The "fix" is on the shoulders of each individual.
Chronic diseases cause 7 in 10 deaths each year in the United States.
About 133 million Americans—nearly 1 in 2 adults—live with at least one chronic illness.
More than 75% of health care costs are due to chronic conditions.
80% of chronic diseases are PREVENTABLE/CURABLE with diet and exercise.
Seriously, all you have to do is eat your peas and go for a walk.
But here is the kicker...
the industrial food industry - will tell you that taste is the most important thing, but will throw a healthy trigger word on the package.
the institutional pharmaceutical industry - makes most if not all of their profits from "treating" chronic disease. It is the cash cow. They have zero interest in CURING any chronic disease as it will destroy their market and the cure is far more organic, so they can't cash in on that either.
the health insurance industry - Has you hostage. 50% of you will develop CD... there is no earthly way any working middle class person could afford their own treatment... so you will pay through the nose to keep from losing everything.
If you are overweight or obese, have more than two drinks on a regular basis, smoke, eat primarily meat and starches... those life choices should not impact the rest of us who WILL end up paying for your fat drunk ass in your declining years. So.. basic coverage for all to start. Very basic. Coverage credits can then be given to those who make healthy choices. So the person who smoked for 40 years will not be considered for coverage for new lungs, experimental or marginal cancer treatments, etc... though pain management and end of life counseling would be covered as basic human decency.
Government cannot fix a problem if government is not the root of the problem, it can facilitate a solution, but cannot fix it.
WE are the root of the problem, therefore the RESPONSIBILITY for the fix lies SOLELY WITH EACH OF US.
So yes, as someone who is going to have to pay for your life choices in your old age, I think I do have some input on what you are allowed to eat or feed your children. Seriously. If you want the freedom to destroy your body, then don't expect me to pay for it.
Until the numbers above are cut in half any discussion of ideology, party politics, government solutions, etc, etc... is nothing but gum flapping.
Both sides have grossly missed the solution. Why? Because the discussion is framed by media and advertisers who depend on your sh*itty life choices to make more profit than they did the year before.
Want to fix this problem... make better choices for you and your family. Already do? Then what are you doing to be a good influence on your friends, neighbors, poor, etc...?
This fix is so freaking simple. It's called individual and community responsibility.
I now return you to the pointless and baseless argument already in progress...