Instead of cuts in Social Security, Medicare, etc., why not start with the ridiculous salaries of Congress right along with all their perks? How about eliminating lobbyists, as promised? How about getting rid of pork as promised? Instead of cuts, how about starting with the fraud and waste in those "entitlement" programs that are already known. Part of the waste is the way, Medicare for instance, is designed. Instead of having to have procedures split out over several visits so that Medicare will pay, how about paying for all of them at once? Case in point: You go to the dermatologist and several lesions are diagnosed as cancerous. Some of the cancers are more costly to remove than the others depending on the type and procedure required. Medicare will pay to remove one only, not the multiples. Therefore, each one requires another visit for removal in order for Medicare to cover the charges. Supplemental insurance only covers the remaining 20% approved by Medicare after they have paid their 80%. Why not pay according to a set schedule for each procedure and do them all at one time?

My husband has coverage thru the VA and Medicare. Our company insurance only covered us for 10 years or to age 65, whichever came first. Private insurance? Out of the question because of cost and medical history. Even if they were forced to insure us, the premiums would be completely out of reach. We paid into Medicare while working and still do. Would you pay into any insurance and then not use it when you needed it? I didn't think so.

Unlike many others here, we are not wealthy, simply comfortable (so far). Did we plan for retirement? Yes. Did we plan for the economy to go south right along with our retirement? No.