I bet you're dying to know if Ohio's candidates for the U.S. Senate support Social Security and Medicare. The AARP has collected some information from candidates, including this from Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Josh Mandel:
...How would you protect Social Security for today’s seniors and strengthen it for future generations?...
Sherrod C. Brown:
Sherrod feels strongly that rather than undercut Social Security, we
must work to ensure it provides the retirement benefits needed by
retirees, individuals with disabilities, and the children it serves.
That’s why he cosponsored and will continue to promote legislation to
provide a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in Social Security this year.
He is also advocating for changes in the formula that determines the
COLA to make sure Social Security beneficiaries receive the annual
increases they need in light of increases in the costs of health care,
energy, food and other basic necessities.
(Source: Sherrod Brown Campaign Website;
http://ow.ly/ct8tz)
Josh Mandel:
The inability of Washington politicians to control spending has
threatened important programs like Medicare and Social Security.
(Source: Mandel for U.S. Senate; http://ow.ly/d4N2c)
____
...How would you put Medicare on stronger financial ground and protect
today’s seniors and future retirees from the burden of rising health
costs?...
| Sherrod C. Brown: Congress should stand up for Medicare and make it stronger. Cutting costs by cutting service helps no one. Instead, we should focus on innovative ways to reduce Medicare spending while ensuring that it can continue to meet the needs of Ohio seniors. Right now, the Department of Veterans Affairs can negotiate bulk discounts on prescription drugs for veterans, but Medicare can’t do the same for seniors. By giving the Secretary of Health and Human Services negotiating authority, we could save millions reducing Medicare cost by an estimated $20 Billon over the next ten years. (Source: Sherrod Brown Senate Website; http://ow.ly/ct8BO | Josh Mandel: Those who refuse to reform Medicare are condemning the program to the ash heap of history. In order to save Medicare, we must change it. Saving Medicare will be a top priority of mine, as this important program represents a promise made by the government to the American people. We can reform it in a way that does not impact current recipients or those approaching Medicare-eligible age. (Source: League of Women Voters Questionnaire; http://ow.ly/ctaci) | ||
So Josh Mandel wants to "reform" Medicare and privatize Social Security? How does that sit with you, Grandma? As a grandmother myself, I can honestly say that Josh Mandel's responses demonstrate his lack of understanding, his lack of knowledge, his lack of compassion, and his ability to repeat the Republican talking points on demand.
