On Jan. 22, President Trump was in Davos, Switzerland, for an economic forum. In a perhaps less-guarded moment, President Trump was asked whether he would consider cutting Medicare and Social Security to reduce the U.S. federal deficit. He said, “At the right time, we’re going to take a look.” I suspect he meant after the next election.

It’s important to note that the deficit has exploded to over a trillion dollars in 2019 due to the $1.5 trillion tax cut that Republicans passed in 2017 that has mainly benefited the rich. Some economic experts warned when that tax cut was passed Republicans would soon turn to cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to balance the budget. In fact, the president’s budget proposal as recently as 2019 had called for cuts of $1.9 trillion to safety-net programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. 

I know, I know. The president promised not to cut these programs when he ran in 2016. But what will he do if he is re-elected and no longer has to answer to the voters? And what kind of record does this president have on keeping his word? And how often has this president said one thing and said the opposite within hours? 

My parents worked and contributed to Social Security all their lives, allowing them to retire in dignity and relative comfort. A nephew of mine contracted brain cancer, was incapacitated over a few years and then died. His young son, my grandnephew, was able to receive survivors’ benefits as he finished middle school and high school.    

A wise woman, Sister Sheila Kelly, once told me when I was working with troubled adolescents, “Don’t worry so much about what they say, watch what they do. “ 

Democrats established Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other programs because they believe that government has a role to play to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. They have voted and fought to protect programs. That’s what they do. Republicans, on the other hand, believe in a very limited role of government and typically won’t support these social programs.  Check what they’ve done.

So, watch what politicians do.  Whose side are they on? And vote for those candidates who will keep Social Security in place for yourself, your children and grandchildren. 

Mary Hinnenkamp

Albert Lea