Imagine your doctor was afraid to recommend a necessary treatment to you because it was painful. Instead he provided Band-Aid solutions until your condition was nearly incurable. This may be malpractice in the medical world but our national ills are receiving exactly this kind of care from Congress. Both our Democratic and Republican representatives are unwilling to honestly confront the inevitable problems facing our nation.
-By 2030 the number of Americans over age 65 is expected to double to approximately 20 percent of the population. Without significant reform, the Social Security Trust Fund will be insolvent in 2041.
- By 2030 health care costs will account for 25 percent of gross domestic product. Most will go for people age 65 or older through Medicare. This spending will represent a larger and larger portion of the federal budget, leaving less for the priorities of the next generation (e.g. education, infrastructure, etc).
-Our use of oil-based energy is by all accounts unsustainable. It creates an ongoing risk to our economy, our security, and to the planet.
Both the Democrats and Republicans are unable to propose meaningful long term fixes for these and multiple other problems. They fear that being honest will cost them votes. Solutions do exist, but they are difficult and will require some sacrifice.
-Social Security reform could be instituted with benefit reductions and/or increased pay-ins.
-Health care reform can be undertaken with a tax-financed system which would cover all citizens (including Medicare). This would, however, only provide services of the highest priority to all. A private market system would exist for those who want more.
-An energy initiative, similar to the space program, could be undertaken, funded through a public-private partnership. This could transform our economy and additionally benefit defense and the environment.
The most fundamental and long lasting change needed, however, is in our politics. Both parties have failed the citizenry. We need representatives with leadership and courage to confront Coloradans and all Americans with honest but frequently unpleasant facts. Americans will sacrifice for the future if they are convinced of its importance and are convinced that they will receive value.
STEPHEN H. SHOGAN
Denver

This entry was posted on Monday, February 18th, 2008 at 8:52 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.