I don't often diary, but watching Sununu try to explain Rmoney-Ryan's Medicare "fix" on Hardball via joelgp's rec listed diary got me thinking.
The right often likes to describe raising taxes on the wealthiest of Americans as "class warfare." What if we start aiming a similar weapon that them? While the diary's title gives much away, follow me below the fold for some elaboration.
Sununu obviously wanted to reassure their old, white base that folks 55 and older would still have the Medicare they have grown to know, love and depend upon. After all, need to keep that reliable voting block happy.
But those seniors have children and grandchildren who Rmoney and Ryan want to take Medicare "as we know it" away from. Voting for Richie Rich and Richie Richer is telling future generations, "I got mine, but screw you." It is a simple meme really - generational warfare. Pitting seniors (or near seniors) against those 54 and younger. Pitting the mythical "Greatest Generation" against their children and grandchildren is nothing less than generational warfare. (All the more egregious since if the coming generation stops paying in, Medicare goes broke even faster.)
So why did they select 55 and older to reap the bounty of the New deal and the Great Society more than those younger? I suspect it had to do with voting patterns, demographics and polling. Actuarials and game theorists can come up with analyses that find a "sweet spot." But for some families (mine included), this has real world consequences. You see, I am on one side of that chasm of benefits and my spouse is on the other, along with my son.
I think we need to point out that Democrats are working on solutions that help us ALL, as Americans together, and do not divide one generation from another.