WHERE IS AMERICA HEADING?

Remember LBJ’s “War on Poverty?” The program was designed to eliminate poverty by helping people out of poverty.
Currently we have a “War on Poverty” designed to increase the number of poor and keep them there by cutting holes in the “safety net.”
Johnson’s War on Poverty established many programs we take for granted today, like Head Start, Medicare/Medicaid, Food Stamps, Legal Services, the HMOs, HUD, Voting Rights Act, Civil Rights and 1000 Community Action Programs. Funded by 1 billion dollars, it gained tremendous national support, but persistent attacks by succeeding congresses saw the program fade away. At his l988 final State of the Union address, President Ronald Reagan mockingly announced that in America’s War on Poverty, poverty won. The comment brought the place down with applause and laughter.
Congressman Paul Ryan, Chairman of the House Budget Committee has published his “Road to Prosperity” plan to cut spending without raising taxes. He replaces Medicare as we know it with a voucher system that virtually privatizes the program. It has been estimated that seniors will incur a $7000 increase in co-pay. The plan cuts the Food Stamps, Head Start and Medicaid programs substantially. The rich bear no part of the pain associated with the plan. In fact, it calls for tax cuts for corporations.
If Medicare is dismantled by the Republicans, Baby boomers will worry. In the 2010 of election vote, it included 23% senior votes of which 41% were Democratic and 57% Republican. If the senate falls to the Republicans, that will increase the chances that Mr. Ryan’s proposal will succeed even if Obama is reelected.