It's deeply ironic (and infuriating) that older Americans are in the forefront of

[cali]

the townhall protests against healthcare reform. Many of the already have gov't paid healthcare and yet they're perfectly content to deny healthcare to others. Disgusting.

[dorkulon]

1. We should have repealed Medicare first.

Let them twist in the wind for a few days and then see what their opinion of gov't health care is.

[DrDan]

2. that is simply not true - let's not overstate the issue

they do not "want to deny healthcare to others" - they simply do not want to have theirs impacted.

Denying to others may be a result - but why say they want that. That is just not true.

[cali]

4. fair enough.

I'll change it to reflect that they just don't give a flying fuck about anyone but themselves and are perfectly content to let others suffer.

[DrDan]

5. and once again - the distinction between the R's and the D's surfaces

the R's - "don't you dare change my benefits - and I don't care about others"

the D's - "even though my benefits might change, it is worth it as others benefit"

This is such a common thread in the differences between us.

(This assumes these protesters are all R's - and I think there is little doubt about that)

[Echo In Light]

10. And from what I've seen, for many of them it's also about racism

... and precisely what you've alluded to: they're people using a social safety net who HATE the idea of a larger net that would help others. Good "christians," one and all.

[cali]

11. I think that's a damn big part of it.

[HughBeaumont]

16. Reagan convinced nearly ALL of them . . .

. . . that the "have too littles" were the cause of their problems, which played a huge part of them controlling the government for 28 years (and causing almost irreparable economic and unilateral damage in the process).

The "divide and conquer" maneuver, combined with a little bit of Nixon's "Southern Strategy" paid dividends. I truly believe it's part of the reason why we got the Chimpanzee for eight years (well, that and a stolen election or two) after a successful Democratic presidency.

[pnwmom]

7. Most of them do want to deny a government run health plan to others.

Most of them oppose a public option, and say the government should stay out of health care.

[lolly]

18. Maybe not exactly

They're convinced their taxes will go up to pay for other people to enjoy the same benefits that taxes bring to them--so no way.

[DesertFlower]

3. i've been wondering about that.

what's with them?

[Jennicut]

6. I got in a huge argument with my conservative father over this yesterday

He pretty much confirmed to me that at 63, he cares only about himself and my mother and not anyone else. He says even small incremental change in health care reform will result in single payer and will ruin his health care. We will all be forced into govt. healthcare...as if. We all wish that would happen here. He just does not get it at all. They don't even get the difference between small public option and single payer.
I am convinced that many older Americans only want what is "theirs" and if anyone gets in the way then they need to be mowed down. My Dad brought up "death panels" but when I tried to explain that insurance companies do that to you know he wouldn't listen to me. There is not point arguing with these people as my own parents demonstrate that. They are brainwashed.

[pnwmom]

8. Why does he think that single payer will ruin his health care? He's almost eligible

for Medicare, which is a single payer plan. Is he against Medicare, too?

And what is his rationale for not caring about his children's options for health care?

[Jennicut]

14. I don't know. I don't get it. The thing is I am a diabetic.

I was covered before I got it, with my husband's plan. I got gestational diabetes being pregnant with my second daughter but it never went away. I ended up having fullblown diabetes 3 months after she was born. If I was ever on my own, trying to find insurance myself..who knows what I would get.

[pnwmom]

17. Oh, Jennicut.

I take this very personally because one of my children would be uninsurable on the open market, too, and that terrifies me. I cannot understand your father's selfishness AT ALL. I'm so sorry.

[zbdent]

9. "I got mine ... don't take away what I'm keeping you from getting!"

[OHdem10]

12. Be fair, my friends. I warned us all 3 weeks ago that Obama and

the Democrats were making a big mistake by not thoroughly
explaining what would happen to Seniors on Medicare Advantage.

I told everyone the GOP could exploit the heck out of the
whole program by convincing those Seniors they were losing
their Medicare because of cuts.

No one has discussed this yet. The GOP has made hay with
this as I predicted.

You may not think Medicare Advantage is a good program. But
the large group of Seniors who have it, do not know what
is intended for them if you take it away. Obama cannot
take 170 Billion out and not expect the Seniors to think
they lose their program.

The Problem has been there was never one plan. Obama
is having to ask people to support an idea. The GOP
has expolited this. No plan means they can say any lie
is in the plan.

[pnwmom]

19. Sorry, but what exactly is Medicare Advantage? I'm not familiar

with the program or the controversy.

[ThomWV]

13. It kind of blows the theory that Education used to be better than it is today, doesn't it?

I mean if in the good old days, when these old farts were in school, education was much better than it is now then how come the people who went to school back then are so god damned stupid today?

[sweetpotato]

15. Because they trust the news media to tell the truth

They also have ideas that are very outdated. My mom is 85 years old and a staunch R. She LOVES Rush - mostly because he gives voice to her racism and misogyny. They agree with the propaganda and facts will not get in the way of beliefs. ALSO - they are OLDER and therefore know much better how things work than some "kid" of 47 years old.

They can read - but they choose to read things that only reinforce their bigotry and pre-conceptions.

[lolly]

20. Yes

Also takes a little of the golden glow of the whole "Greatest Generation" stuff.

[PA Democrat]

21. They are more likely to be FOX News viewers.

Among ad-supported cable nets, the news nets (along with older-skewing Hallmark Channel, Golf Channel and GSN's daytime sked) sport the most gray, with Fox News Channel's daytime and primetime skeds the absolute oldest, clocking in with a median age above 65. Youngest nets are the daytime skeds for Noggin and Nickelodeon, with a median age under 10.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117988273.html?categoryid=1275&cs=1

[H2O Man]

22. The are invested

in the lie. So much of their lives have been invested in that lie, that it is to be expected that a percentage of their generation can't take hold of the truth. They aren't "bad" people: their uncaring attitude is more of the position that scared people take.

We need to firm but patient with them. That includes recognizing that, as obnoxious as many behave at these public meetings, they too are victims of those who capitalize on their stupidity.

[LostInAnomie]

23. Take a look at what the demographics say about the typical republican.

They tend to be older white people.

It doesn't really surprise me that old people in general are the ones protesting. They are the easiest people to misinform. They are the easiest people to scare because being misinformed. They also seem to have a sense of entitlement and a feeling that younger generations don't deserve what they have.

I've said it before, in about 20 years the country will be completely different because a large chunk of backwards thinking people will have simply died of old age.