From Truth Out: http://truth-out.org/news/item/14372-solve-the-real-problems-poverty-retirement-and-health-insecurity-and-the-economy-will-recover
By Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers
Wednesday, 06 February 2013
The bipartisans in Washington are currently focused on Social Security and Medicare – not to improve health care and retirement, but to cut them. There is constant, exaggerated “sky is falling” deficit commentary about purported out-of-control spending caused by these programs, while the real twin crises of poverty retirement and health insecurity are ignored. Popular solutions to these crises exist that would strengthen Social Security and Medicare and spur economic recovery.
Facts You Are Not Being Told About Retirement and Health Care
We are in the midst of retirement and health care crises that are projected to worsen in the coming years, but we do not hear any discussion of real solutions to these problems. We do not hear the truth about retirement and health care in the corporate media or from either party. Here are some facts that paint the picture:
- Senior poverty is growing: According to the Census Bureau, in last decade, there has been a 78 percent increase in Americans over 60 facing the threat of hunger. The Census Bureau puts the rate of poverty for seniors at nearly 16 percent , or roughly one in six seniors.
- Pensions have kept Americans out of poverty: The Census Bureau reports that poverty rates were nine times greater in 2010 in households without defined benefit pension income. Pensions resulted in 4.7 million fewer poor or “near poor” families and 1.2 million fewer families on various forms of public assistance.
Continue reading at: http://truth-out.org/news/item/14372-solve-the-real-problems-poverty-retirement-and-health-insecurity-and-the-economy-will-recover
