Healthcare Costs and Social Security Could Cause Economic Woes

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Our President and Congress cannot manage our country but want to control the World. I travel international frequently. Americans have lost great respect in the World because of the arrogance that is demonstrated by Bush and Cheney. Vote against the political system. Vote for Change. Vote for new faces that will make a difference. Vote for people that want to concentrate on the US and not the problems of the rest of the world. Four years of responsible spending and concentration on the US problems will make great leaps in solving the problems that middle class America faces. Vote for new faces and change. VOTE

Mark Brennan of NC 8:41AM June 19, 2008

The politicians that we have voted into office do not listen to middle class America. We provide the financial support for their total disregard for money. They only see power and greed and think that middle class Americas are stupid and incapable of logical thought.
Fight back this election year. Vote out the existing polilticians that spend our money like irresponsible drunks. Vote out the poiticians that do not listen to the middle class people. I would suggest that this means all existing encumbents.
The newly elected politicians go to Washington with the best intentions and become corrupted in four years. Limit their time in office by voting against them before their second term of office.
Middle Class Americans have one hope and one vote. Vote against greed and corruption. Vote against more than one term in office. VOTE FOR CHANGE and HOPE.

Mark Brennan of NC 8:34AM June 19, 2008

Our politicians and corporations have sold our country to China, India, and Middle East countries, that is the problem. We need to solve our problems first, instead of policing the world. Charity begins at home America. There are forces holding our country hostage, think about it.

Ralph of TX 1:01AM June 19, 2008

This issue has the potential to cripple our economy and force generations to come to lower their standard of living to pay the debt on healthcare paid for those who are already dead and gone. This is morally and ethically apalling. I can't figure out why there aren't legions protesting in the streets. Oh...maybe it's because they already have to work longer hours at a more hectic pace to make ends meet and provide for their families. And what are our elected representatives doing about it? Whatever the special interest that has contributed the most wants them to do. Fix our government first...without that, we will NEVER come to a fair and equitable solution for every generation of American citizens. Whatever happened to government for the people by the people?!?!?

Kate of RI 9:09PM June 18, 2008

The budget surplus during Clinton's few years in office did not eradicate our federal debt, which now amounts to more than $9 trillion.
It's odd how some people want to blame the wars for our financial predicament. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Welfare expenses total approximately 60% of our government expenses - most of those monies go to the elderly or the poor.
t's also no secret that a very small group of high-income taxpayers pay most of the individual income taxes each year. It is said that the top 10% of income earners pay roughly 65% of all income taxes received by the government.
The issue boils down to the unfairness of taxing low and mid-middle class people to support the healthcare costs of others while they cannot even afford their own.
The so-called "surplus" in our social security trust funds is a sham. The government has siphoned-off these monies for more spending in exchange for non-marketable IOUs.
Democrats will raise taxes and overspend.
Republicans will cut taxes and still overspend.
Either way, does it really solve the fundamental problem of government overspending and lack of accountability?

Independent is the way to go of CA 5:54PM June 18, 2008

First of all - Clinton was in office during the 90's and left a surplus.
Secondly, the estimated Social security defecit thru 2085 runs to $28 trillion and the Medicare defecit runs to $55 trillion. Surely not mis-leading spin.
The only spin here is the "we'll pay for healthcare by getting out of Iraq" -- since we've borrowed to pay for the war, it's not like there will be trillions of dollars in the bank.

Lynn of NY 4:14PM June 18, 2008

I find it strange how our tax dollars can go to pay for Politicians healthcare and the less fortunates healthcare, but not my own. My paycheck gets taxed and goes to help others, but the money I get to keep out of my check ( being that the dollar is worth next nothing anymore) I have to spend towards my own medical benefits which these days doesnt leave much else to go towards my children, food and gas.
I feel bad for my children this is not the life I wanted for them,
"The home of the free" , yeah free to have to pay whatever they want us to or were screwed.

Kayla of 2:33PM June 18, 2008

Not surprising a Republican Comptroller blames Social Security and Medicare for our problems. Where is the mention of elective wars and the Reagan/Bush tax cuts that have made the somewhat wealthy of the 80s and 90s into the super wealthy of the 21st century (leaving the government further in debt)?
Social Security and Medicare taxes collected are still $2 trillion ahead of their costs paid out. Yes, they have a demographic problem going forward. But don't buy misleading spin. Don't buy misleading spin. Don't buy misleading spin.
Republicans plan to WIDEN the wealth gap by bankrupting most of the middle class on health care. You do not have to accept this. Elect Democrats.

Daniel David of NM 11:18AM June 18, 2008