polls show that near retirement people (50 to 64) are worried about what Romney/Ryan have in store

[Liberal_in_LA]

The poll indicates Romney may have picked up support among men, but there was no change at all among women, keeping in place a double-digit gender gap. And there's an interesting movement among age groups. Romney gained a bit among younger voters and among senior citizens, but Obama was the big winner among voters between 50 and 64 years old.

"It's possible that senior citizens who are already on Medicare have accepted the GOP assurances that their benefits will not be affected, but the group of Americans who are approaching retirement - who will be the first ones affected by the GOP-proposed changes in the Medicare system - are getting worried about what's in store for them," added Holland.

Romney gained among independent voters, with a three point 48%-45% margin last week expanding to 52%-42% advantage now.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/04/cnn-poll-did-romney-get-a-convention-bounce/?hpt=hp_t1

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. They should be worried.

Does anyone think those republican bastards will stop trying to gut Medicare entirely?

[Bill USA]

3. You are so right! ---- "oh, we can take showers? My how nice they are treating us!"

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. Ewe betcha. I resemble that remark.

[Bill USA]

4. recommended.

[Itchinjim]

5. They scare the shit out of this 53 year old man

No need to poll me.

[Blue Gardener]

24. This 53 year old woman as well

No need to poll me either

[Downwinder]

6. Mention donut hole to those on Medicare.

R&R would open it up again.

[onecent]

7. K & R n/t

[Cha]

8. They should be..I'm concerned about

future generations too.

Fucking Liars.

[rox63]

9. This almost-50 year old is definitely worried

I don't want to have to work until I die.

[On the Road]

10. They *Should* be Afraid.

Very afraid.

I suspect that the Romney campaign is counting on the 18-39 age group to be unconcerned about retirement and unlikely to vote based on those issues. That is a limited perspective.

Many people in their 40s and 50s are very aware of issues affecting retirement, Medicare, and Social Security. It is a big, big issue -- as it should be.

[Blue Gardener]

25. The 18-39 year olds should be concerned

Who so they think their parents are going to live with when that can't pay their medical bills, utilities, rent, taxes, mortgage, etc.?

[On the Road]

35. I Understand That They Should

but in practice most of them haven't reached the point in their lives when those issues become real. It is conventional wisdom that seniors are the ones who vote based on issues related to Medicare and Social Security.

I think the Romney campaign is taking that to mean that under some magic age like 55 don't vote based on those issues. I think that in practice the range of ages is broader, and that a lot of people under the cutoff age are going to be motivated as well. Even those exempt from future changes are going to be thinking about their children and grandchildren.

[Jennicut]

39. I worry about my parents.

But you are right, this issue effects those of us in our 20's and 30's less. Retirement is not a pressing issue for me right now, but I think this age group will vote more for Dems anyway based on social issues.

[mercuryblues]

11. It scares me

I have 2 pre-existing conditions that thankfully my insurance has always covered. Repeal the healthcare law and throw me on the open market after retirement, yeah a coupon would not cover a month of insurance for just me.

[antigop]

12. Even people on Medicare should be worried --- Mitt's Medicare Time Bomb

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/08/mitts-medicare-time-bomb.php

When Mitt Romney signs legislation fully repealing Obamacare, he’ll be setting a time bomb. Not for the uninsured, who will simply continue to go without health care coverage, but for the very Medicare recipients whose benefits Romney’s promising to leave untouched.

By overturning the Affordable Care Act, Romney will restore major spending commitments to the program — billions of dollars worth of higher reimbursements for private insurance companies and hospitals that Obama cut out of the program.

Because Medicare is built upon a trust fund accounting system, that commitment — $700 billion over the next 10 years — will deplete the program’s existing finances and hasten its insolvency by years. In 2016, under Romney’s plan, Medicare will be out of money, and he and Congress will likely have to choose between finding other savings in the program, raising Medicare taxes, abruptly slashing benefits for current seniors, or a combination thereof.

[Matariki]

13. Yeah, with their blather about "entitlements" this, "entitlements" that - who wouldn't be?

Everytime they talk about the deficit they look right at the pile of money we've all been paying into for lifetimes - money for our retirements, money that was a promise.

[alstephenson]

14. Kids with parents in this age group should be worried as well.

They are the ones that will be paying for or taking care of their parents when their voucher runs out.

[KoKo]

15. K&R

[surrealAmerican]

16. This is the same group that watched in horror ...

... as their homes and 401k's plummeted in value four years ago. They are not going to want gaping holes in the "safety net" after that experience.

[flamingdem]

17. K&R

[WorseBeforeBetter]

18. K&R (n/t)

[Lochloosa]

19. 54 and they scare the shit out of me.

[charmay]

29. Same age and scared to death.

I don't understand how anyone in this age group can vote for republicans.

[Zalatix]

20. It's HAMMER TIME. Hammer that shit in.

Can anyone find a clip of someone saying "Obama, shut up?"

If I were Obama, I'd play that clip. Then, I'd look all Presidential and say "Okay, I'm shutting up."

I would then follow up with everything Paul Ryan and the other righties have said about Social Security and Medicare. I would put up Paul Ryan's budget plan and the Republicans who voted for it. I would then show where the Republicans BEGGED Obama not to make their vote an issue.

If I were Obama then that, Republicans, would be me, shutting up. Be careful what you wish for.

Oh yeah and... BAM!!! The GOP can kiss the senior vote goodbye.

[roguevalley]

21. this old lady loves and hugs everyone on this list. Have courage.

it cannot last forever.

[phylny]

22. Damn right I am.

I've been working since I was 15 years old, almost 40 years. I've paid in, and I'm worried if Romney wins, all that hard work and money I've paid in for others will not be returned to me when it's my turn. I'm 54 years old - will I be left out in the cold?

[SunSeeker]

23. Everyone should be worried about Romney/Ryan. nt

[Greywing]

26. 56 years old and I am so worried

I'm almost sick. I really hope there is a silent majority out there with the brains to send a LOUD message come November.

Where the hell and who the hell are they polling? I find it hard to grasp this will be a "close" election ...

[AnnieBW]

27. I'm almost in that category

and I'm worried! I'm 47, hubby is 49. We're saving like crazy for our retirement, because we lost some time when he was unemployed in 2001-02, and we had to cash in all of our investments. Plus, I'm a Federal Employee, and the Repukes seem to think of our retirement as an ATM. I'm surprised that ANY Federal employee would be a Republican, but there's a lot of them.

[southernyankeebelle]

28. I will be signing up next month for medicare. But I am worried for the younger people also. We

must keep medicare, medicaid and social security together for all generations.

[WinstonSmith4740]

30. That whole "over 55" argument was doomed from the start.

I know we joke around about it here (well, maybe not really joke) about R&R being robots and all, but I really think that's part of their problem. These are people who don't give a rat's ass about what they're leaving behind. They'll make sure their kids are well off financially, but they really don't care about anything else. They don't seem to have any concern about what kind of planet they're leaving behind, or what kind of social system. So they naturally assume everyone feels the same way...I've got mine, screw everyone else. Too many readings of "Atlas Shrugged".

But people DO care about their kids' future, and they do care about what they're leaving behind. I'm sure there are many, many seniors who thought, "OK, I'll be all right, but what about my kids?"

I really don't think this whole R&R "Medicare promise" is resonating with anyone.

[kimbutgar]

31. My mother has a pension that my Dad worked for plus social security; my mother-law has a pension

from her husband plus social security. My husband and I are 50+ and we only have 401k's. We both realize we will not have the security and comfort our Mother's have. No moving to retirement community like my Mother in law. I now realize I might have to work until I drop dead. That is a scary thought. I want to retire at 65 and travel but that looks sketchy. Thanks Mitt for destroying middle class wages with your predatory vulture capitalism. You and your ilk F'd us and now we are screwed with no retirement. Someday I hope you rot in hell Mitt with Rove and the Koch's. I worked hard for the American dream and I see it going away because you are such greedy bastards. I mean how many homes do you need? How many car elevators? Private Jets? While American children are going to bed hungry at night because you need your G damn tax cuts to the estate tax! Obama 2012

[Curmudgeoness]

32. 58 here, and I am damned scared.

Please please please, do not let the Repugs get power!!!!!!!!

I have never, until recently, thought that I would not have the safety net of Social Security and Medicare. Never. I have saved what I can over a lifetime of setbacks, but that would not last me a year if I were to be without these programs and had another setback.

GOP death panels! Because that is what would happen to me without my Earned and Paid-for Benefits.

[etherealtruth]

33. I turned 50 last January ... I am not worried

I am terrified!!!

[greatauntoftriplets]

34. 63 and they scare the bejesus out of me.

Damn them!

[gulliver]

36. Under-65ers obviously haven't made themselves clear to the over-65ers.

The over-65ers just don't get it yet, and it needs to be spelled out for them. They need to realize that they are being conned into self-destruction. They vote for Ryan's Vouchercare for anyone else, and we vote it for them the very next day. What reason would we have not to do that? Current seniors should be prepared to experience firsthand —and immediately— anything their vote creates for future seniors.

The Republicans are playing with fire, and they know it. Do seniors?

[eridani]

37. The way I put it to my fellowover 65s--

Do you expect that the school bully is going to lay off you for the whole school year if you give him your lunch money for the first week?

[Yuugal]

38. K&R nt