Are the actions of the current administration which are supported by Congressmen David Wu hurting senior citizens, particularly those on fixed incomes? Rather than answer immediately, here are some items to consider.

First, approximately half a trillion dollars will be cut from Medicare to fund the overhaul of healthcare. Meanwhile, fact-checking by AARP finds that no benefits will be cut. Yes, the list of benefits will remain unchanged. But to receive your benefit you must find a healthcare provider that will provide the service at the rate paid by the government. Declining reimbursement for service will undoubtedly reduce the number of providers. So, even if the government doesn’t ration healthcare directly, it will feel like rationing when you’re standing in a long line to receive medical treatment.

Second, as noted by 60Plus, a non-profit advocacy group: “Senior citizens have a great interest in this issue [renewable energy standards] as so many are living on a fixed income and energy costs are regressive; the less one earns the higher percentage of his or her income is spent on energy.” As a result, senior citizens will be bear a proportionally larger burden of rising energy costs from actions like renewable energy standards, cap & trade and the EPA’s actions to regulate CO2.

Third, inflation acts as a tax and individuals on fixed incomes are affected the most. The federal government’s enormous deficit spending and extensive bailouts are drastically devaluing the dollar. Inflation is beginning to climb, which is rare in a recession. So, in the same way that the rising cost of energy is particularly hard on senior citizens living on fixed incomes with no ability to earn more, the rising cost of goods and services will also hurt this group the most.

So, what do you think? Is it right that our current leadership is taking actions that harm our senior citizens while pretending to be concerned for their welfare? Absolutely not.

What would I do to help our senior citizens? Rather than fashioning another bailout or handout for seniors and those on fixed incomes I would protect their interests by balancing our federal budget which would preserve for them the value of their income and their savings. And, rather than cutting Medicare to extend healthcare benefits to others, I would preserve benefits for those that need them the most.

Join the Resistance! Set America Free.

Sincerely,

Doug Keller