On the subject, but not relating to that particular rather "radical and "subversive" above-quote from last night's SOTU speech.

But, instead, just a thought about one issue, among the numerous, swirling around the political atmosphere this election year. I'm only asking (rhetorically), all other important matters of debate aside, how can it be that with Republican proposals to privatize part of Social Security and to end Medicare as we know it for future generations, that 2012 GOP candidates are still even competitive. Of course those massive, and wasteful (Medicare), programs need to be restructured to reduce our deficit. From a practical and crass political calculation, though, how can these two Republican plans not be the kiss-of-death politically.

Just asking. One of the many...imponderables.

... I believe that the phrase "Medicare as we know it" is often used problematically. It's as if nothing needs to change or should change.

Because "Medicare as we know it" is going the hell broke! Keeping "Medicare as we know it" is a sad cry for maintenance of the status quo, which will leave some of us wondering mightily if there will be Medicare benefits (for which we have paid "taxes" in cash money taken from our paychecks) to take care of us when we retire in the not too distant future.

So I, for one, DO NOT WANT "Medicare as we know it" to live on infinitely.

I know, depending on what comes, that Medicare could be fixed up and improved, or it could be shot to hell. Either way, it will not be "Medicare as we know it." "Medicare as we know it" is a false god, an idol.

RB