Most anti-socialist demographic in USA the most dependant on government? (Congress, generation)

[HeyHolliday!]

I have come notice how older people that are retired tend to be the most conservative group in the U.S. and are usually the most vocal about how our government is becoming more socialist. Yet these same people are the most dependent upon government as they receive Social Security, Medicare, and other benefits(Example: Prop 13 if your older long time Californian resident) that the rest of us do not receive until we meet a certain age.

I think these programs are great but find it hypocritical that the older generation which screams about things like universal health care and free college education for all and their "socialist" nature will so gladly accept and use the social programs that we pay for.

So what is your thoughts/opinions on this?

[Drover]

If they had actually opted into Social Security and Medicare instead of being forced to participate in these programs, maybe you'd have a point -- assuming, for the moment, that your premise is actually true.

[jetgraphics]

Originally Posted by Drover

If they had actually opted into Social Security and Medicare instead of being forced to participate in these programs, maybe you'd have a point -- assuming, for the moment, that your premise is actually true.

But everyone DID volunteer to enroll in SocSec.
Didn't they tell you that there is NO LAW compelling enrollment. Nor is there any law that punishes Americans who do not participate. It is 100% voluntary servitude. If it was compulsory, it would be unconstitutional.

Write to your local congresscritter, and ask for a copy of the law that requires ALL AMERICANS to enroll in Socialist Insecurity before they can work in their own country.

Don't hold your breath waiting for a reply.

If that stirs your curiosity, you might like to read THIS

[eathey]

Most of those old people already paid to play too....

[KevK]

Originally Posted by HeyHolliday!

I have come notice how older people that are retired tend to be the most conservative group in the U.S. and are usually the most vocal about how our government is becoming more socialist. Yet these same people are the most dependent upon government as they receive Social Security, Medicare, and other benefits(Example: Prop 13 if your older long time Californian resident) that the rest of us do not receive until we meet a certain age.

I think these programs are great but find it hypocritical that the older generation which screams about things like universal health care and free college education for all and their "socialist" nature will so gladly accept and use the social programs that we pay for.

So what is your thoughts/opinions on this?

Most of the old people are conservative because they don't understand things like homosexuals, blacks, Mexicans, Atheist and other things that just were not a big part of their lives. As old people die off and other old people take their place, they will be less conservative.

[saganista]

Already happening. The people who will turn 65 over these next few years are increasingly those born after WWII. They grew up in the 1950's and 60's. As a group, they have always been more liberal than those who grew up in the 1930's and 40's. That won't be changing. The most deluded people these days are those who grew up plagued by fond childhood memories of Ronald Reagan...

[allydriver]

Originally Posted by KevK

Most of the old people are conservative because they don't understand things like homosexuals, blacks, Mexicans, Atheist.

"understand"?
Or did you mean to say that the elderly grew up in a time when people took responsibility for their own lives?
Sounds like you don't understand "old people".
Here is the correct answer that was further up the thread.

Originally Posted by Drover

If they had actually opted into Social Security and Medicare instead of being forced to participate in these programs, maybe you'd have a point -- assuming, for the moment, that your premise is actually true.

[old_cold]

Did you stop to think it's because we have seen the changes accompanying these types of programs?

With Medicare, we are still $11,000 out of pocket a year because of the way the government set up the prescription plan (Part D) rules and the $100 a month charged for Part B and the supplemental policy we carry to be truely insured other than prescriptions.($375 a month)

It's not a matter of gladly accepting it.
There is no choice but to have Medicare after age 65 be primary unless one stays employed and even then, I think Medicare is suppposed to be...just that it gets missed by the private insurer(not totally sure about this)

Do you think we should refuse our social security checks on self righteous principle after years of paying 15% (mostly self employed) all these years?
There was no choice in having the premium for Medicare added to our tax liability either.

We may be old but we're not stupid.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by allydriver

"understand"?
Or did you mean to say that the elderly grew up in a time when people took responsibility for their own lives?
Sounds like you don't understand "old people".
Here is the correct answer that was further up the thread.

When I speak to the remaining old people in my own family, I have never understood them nor have they me. They are stuck in their ways pretty much. The funny thing is that they all loved FDR and the things he did. They also liked LBJ. But they don't like the groups mentioned above. And my dad was not much different in his likings. But the next old people are far more liberal and tolerant.

[GregW]

It is not only the elderly that tend to be most conservative while receiving government money but many of the "red" states receive far more Federal spending than they send to Washington. Most of the Federal revenue is collected from the “liberal” blue states. Ironic the conservatives tend to bite the hand that feeds them. Ironic but not surprising because most people resent the paymaster.

(There was a long thread on this that I do not have the time to find.)