Medicare shouldn’t be GOP’s target

The recession is far from over and so many people in my community are struggling to pay their bills, find a decent job and make a good life for their kids. Yet this reality has seemingly gone unnoticed by U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam and the Republicans in Washington, D.C. The Republicans just passed a budget that would abolish Medicare as we know it, while doling out even more tax cuts for the rich.

Talk about class warfare! If anyone criticizes their budget plans, they raise the specter of “class warfare.” However, that is exactly what Republicans are doing. “I’ve got mine; screw you,” seems to be the Republican message. There is talk of shared sacrifice. The bottom 98 percent of Americans have sacrificed for 30 years. Wages have stagnated for most Americans.

Tax increases usually hit the poor and middle classes hardest traditionally. It’s time the rich and superrich started making sacrifices. They can surely afford it.

The Republicans are endangering a program that provides vital health care services to most Americans over the age of 65. It’s irresponsible (and heartless) to leave seniors’ health care to the mercy of private insurance companies. Our local representative, Peter Roskam, voted for this Republican budget and put tax cuts for millionaires before the health and well-being of seniors.

It is time to tell Rep. Roskam, and all the Republicans in Congress, that enough is enough. Programs that protect our parents and grandparents, like Medicare, should not be on the chopping block to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.

Herb Best

Streamwood