Fix safety nets

Many conservatives would like to see Social Security and Medicare ended on ideological grounds. Both programs face fiscal challenges. But what have both programs done for Americans?

Before Social Security, most Americans faced a bleak retirement. Only 5 percent of Americans had any kind of retirement pension. The elderly either had to work until they dropped dead or hopefully had family to care for them when they could no longer take care of themselves.

More than 2,000 poorhouses existed where many elderly people who could not take care of themselves were sent and where most endured harsh living conditions until they died.

Before Medicare, only half of the elderly had any kind of health insurance. Now virtually all do, and it is a true lifeline for 49 million elderly and disabled Americans. Without Medicare, millions of our elderly would face early deaths and lives of suffering.

It is vital that both of these programs survive. Any kind of privatization would be too costly and leave many out in the cold. Only these two programs can ensure protection of our elderly.

The views of conservatives, some of whom are people of privilege and have never known sacrifice, who want to end Social Security and Medicare, need to be rejected. and completely inadequate insurance coverage. It is not likely to drive down the cost of medical care, nor the amount of GDP we spend on health care in this country. In addition, many more Americans are likely to be driven into bankruptcy due to health care costs. Dr. Sutherland is right; we have the talent and the resources to do better.