# Republicans: How would the base react to privatizing Social Security and Medicare? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 18, 2016, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364 "2016-11-18T20:42:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/1 "2016-11-18T20:42:20Z")
Let’s say Paul Ryan and some of the right get their wish and both Social Security and Medicare are slowly wound down and all privatized. We’re all on our own to provide for ourselves. How would the Base react to this? I already know how the left side will react, but will the Republican base cheer this screwjob or feel betrayed? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/2 "2016-11-18T20:45:31Z")
IANAR (or D). I believe the reaction of those who are already receiving Social Security would argue that they should continue to receive payments because they ‘paid into it for 30 years’. Unfortunately for them, that’s not how it works. ---
**Author:** ![Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambrosio_Spinola)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/3 "2016-11-18T20:57:50Z")
If you look back at GWB’s proposals to privatize Social Security, I think you can reasonably assume that the base’s reaction will not be favorable. I assume if the plan is sold as an attempt to privatize Social Security or Medicare, there will also be a strong reaction. However, if the plan is sold as an attempt to save the programs after Obamacare has bankrupted them, it might play better. From what I can tell, this is the frame that has been chosen and we’ll just have to see if it works. ---
**Author:** ![ThisIsTheEnd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisistheend/32/4713_2.png) [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/4 "2016-11-19T13:45:13Z")
They won’t care. They are willing to give up money to pursue the jingo agenda, they’ve been doing it for 35 years now, they’ve just never gotten the payoff. Ryan will try to get it jammed through very early. You think Trump gives a shit one way or the other? He doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/5 "2016-11-19T13:55:43Z")
> [@ThisIsTheEnd](#): > > They won’t care. They are willing to give up money to pursue the jingo agenda, they’ve been doing it for 35 years now, they’ve just never gotten the payoff. Remind us again how things went just 15 years ago or so when Bush tried to very partially privatize SS? Kinda blows a hole in your hypothesis, _amigo_. ---
**Author:** ![ThisIsTheEnd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisistheend/32/4713_2.png) [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/6 "2016-11-19T14:19:08Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Remind us again how things went just 15 years ago or so when Bush tried to very partially privatize SS? Kinda blows a hole in your hypothesis, _amigo_. We’re not in Kansas anymore, _Toto_. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/7 "2016-11-19T14:20:24Z")
I’m not a Republican (duh). So, let’s see what those[radicals at AARP](http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2016/where-aarp-stands-on-medicare-social-security.html) have to say: > [@](#): > > For more than 50 years, AARP has been fighting to keep Medicare and Social Security strong. Now we’re working to protect and strengthen Medicare and Social Security so current and future generations get the benefits they’ve earned. Once the new president and Congress are sworn in, we will judge any future legislation by our principles. > > We will continue to fight attempts to cut Medicare and beat back any attempts to privatize Social Security for current and future generations. The government made a promise to the American people about these programs, and it needs to be honored. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/8 "2016-11-19T14:21:52Z")
old people vote. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/9 "2016-11-19T16:14:46Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I believe the reaction of those who are already receiving Social Security would argue that they should continue to receive payments because they ‘paid into it for 30 years’. Unfortunately for them, that’s not how it works. But it’s not entirely a “pay as you go” system, either. In the early 1980’s, Social Security taxes were increased because it was recognized that the large number of Baby Boomers who would start retiring in about 20 years would create too large a burden on those still employed. Yes, most of what I’ve paid into Social Security has gone to pay benefits for my parents’ generation. But some of it has been to fund my own payments. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/10 "2016-11-19T16:37:09Z")
> [@ThisIsTheEnd](#): > > We’re not in Kansas anymore, _Toto_. Your claim covered the last 35 years, but perhaps you’d like us to pay no attention to the man behind the curtain? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/11 "2016-11-19T17:03:23Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > But it’s not entirely a “pay as you go” system, either. In the early 1980’s, Social Security taxes were increased because it was recognized that the large number of Baby Boomers who would start retiring in about 20 years would create too large a burden on those still employed. > > Yes, most of what I’ve paid into Social Security has gone to pay benefits for my parents’ generation. But some of it has been to fund my own payments. I really don’t want to have this argument again but the idea that there’s a Social Security savings account is an illusion. The excess SS taxes you paid were transformed into general revenue and spent as it came in. Any future SS payments will have to be funded through future taxes. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/12 "2016-11-19T18:43:25Z")
IANAR but I fear much of “the base” will accept it on Faith Alone when told that this is what needs to be done so as to avoid the tyranny of Big Government. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/13 "2016-11-19T18:54:13Z")
> [@ThisIsTheEnd](#): > > They won’t care. They are willing to give up money to pursue the jingo agenda, they’ve been doing it for 35 years now, they’ve just never gotten the payoff. > > Ryan will try to get it jammed through very early. You think Trump gives a shit one way or the other? He doesn’t. The difference, of course, is that Medicare and Social Security are not programs that are primarily benefitting “those other people” whether that be the poor, blacks, illegal aliens, gays, atheists, etc. These are programs that help grandma and grandpa so they don’t die destitute. On the other hand, if anyone can figure out a way to get people to support something against their own interests, it’ll be Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/14 "2016-11-19T19:28:56Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > IANAR but I fear much of “the base” will accept it on Faith Alone when told that this is what needs to be done so as to avoid the tyranny of Big Government. I doubt that. One of the things Trump was resolutely strong on was that any entitlement cuts were off the table. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/15 "2016-11-19T19:40:15Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > I’m not a Republican (duh). So, let’s see what those[radicals at AARP](http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2016/where-aarp-stands-on-medicare-social-security.html) have to say: I hate to say this, but I may have to actually join AARP. I’ve been putting it off since four birthdays ago, but it may be time. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/16 "2016-11-19T21:26:02Z")
[In Depressed Rural Kentucky, Worries Mount Over Medicaid Cutbacks](http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/11/19/502580120/in-depressed-rural-kentucky-worries-mount-over-medicaid-cutbacks) > [@](#): > > For Freida Lockaby, an unemployed 56-year-old woman who lives with her dog in an aging mobile home in Manchester, Ky., one of America’s poorest places, the Affordable Care Act was life altering. > > \ > > Enrollment gave Lockaby her first insurance in 11 years. > > “It’s been a godsend to me,” said the former Ohio school custodian who moved to Kentucky a decade ago. > > \ > > But Lockaby is worried her good fortune could soon end. Her future access to health care now hinges on a controversial proposal to revamp the program that her state’s Republican governor has submitted to the Obama administration. Kentucky, of course, voted for Trump. As someone elsewhere said, ‘Trump voters are about to be like the dog that caught the car.’ ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/17 "2016-11-19T21:33:17Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > I’m not a Republican (duh). So, let’s see what those[radicals at AARP](http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2016/where-aarp-stands-on-medicare-social-security.html) have to say: > [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](#): > > I hate to say this, but I may have to actually join AARP. I’ve been putting it off since four birthdays ago, but it may be time. Me, too. I’ve been ignoring their mailings, but it may finally be time to put my money where my mouth is. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/18 "2016-11-19T21:39:31Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Your claim covered the last 35 years, but perhaps you’d like us to pay no attention to the man behind the curtain? 🙂 Hey, don’t invalidate his feelings just because his facts are wrong! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/19 "2016-11-19T23:44:50Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > The difference, of course, is that Medicare and Social Security are not programs that are primarily benefitting “those other people” whether that be the poor, blacks, illegal aliens, gays, atheists, etc. These are programs that help grandma and grandpa so they don’t die destitute. On the other hand, if anyone can figure out a way to get people to support something against their own interests, it’ll be Trump. The thing is, Medicare and SS take care of Grandma and Grandpa and if those programs go away, guess who is going to be supporting the old folks, buying their expensive meds, and paying their doctor bills? Bubba & Mary Lou, that’s who. Someone’s going to pay. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [In Depressed Rural Kentucky, Worries Mount Over Medicaid Cutbacks](http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/11/19/502580120/in-depressed-rural-kentucky-worries-mount-over-medicaid-cutbacks) > > Kentucky, of course, voted for Trump. As someone elsewhere said, ‘Trump voters are about to be like the dog that caught the car.’ MediCAID (which is for poor people, whereas MediCARE is for old people) is already toast. Texas was one of the misguided states that turned down that Medicaid expansion that wouldn’t have cost the state anything. They did it just to roadblock and punish Obama, to make it seem like HE was a failure. ---
**Author:** ![ThisIsTheEnd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisistheend/32/4713_2.png) [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2016, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364/20 "2016-11-20T08:48:29Z")
Give Trump’s base a choice between getting rid of Mexicans and Muslims, or no cuts to Soc Sec and Medicare, and see which one they pick. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-would-the-base-react-to-privatizing-social-security-and-medicare/772364.md?page=2)