Medicare and SS will not blow up in a traditional sense. No politician can vote against these programs especially with the baby boom generation beginning retirement. Boomers have paid enormous sums to fund these programs for their parents and grandparents. It is the arrogance, ignorance, and entitlement mentality of the elderly who have demanded these programs without regard to consequences to the next generation. The boomer generation has been foolish and naive not to demand substantial changes to these programs.
We are seeing in a small way the possible future of these programs. Devaluation of the dollar, inflation, and slow economic growth. With the coming orgy of new domestic spending and much higher taxation, we may see economic upheavals.
The way that Medicare may be curbed is through a complete single payer system similar to Canada’s. A single payer system means central budgeting for health care costs. Health care will be rationed and the elderly will bear the brunt of the rationing. If I were a senior now, I would dread socialized medicine. It is a sure recipe to cut health spending on the elderly.
And as there are lots (relatively) of baby boomers compared to older folks, so the economic burden has not been too hard.
The real questions is: Will you demand that your kids pay 25% payroll taxes to fund your SS and Medicare?
I think not. Get used to the fact that you will have FAR less retirement $$/lower lifestyle and much less access to medical care than your parents.
It is just the way it is.
schu