The Power of the Check

70% of the Tea Party, by some estimates, say they like Medicare. Feel free to question that estimate. No doubt, a large majority of Americans do approve of Social Security and the range of benefits, delivered from Social Security. So, political theorists, calculate, that once the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented, it too, will have wide spread approval.

If so, the expansion of these entitlements would bring on a even higher public approval. And, the power of the check will manifest itself at the ballot box. Likewise, if politicians contract these benefits in any way, they will be met with scorn on election day.

Everyone agrees that entitlements, as presently structured, is on an unsustainable course. The trouble starts in 10 years or less with Medicare, and 20 years or less with Social Security. However, the power of the check demands the status quo’. Any political tinkering produces fear, and this fear is articulated among the recipients of the checks.

So, the check has power. It may be selfish power. It may not be well-informed power, but power none the less.