Rep. Bobby Schilling had a forum the other day where he touted the Republican fraud about saving Medicare.

This is Vouchercare, where the idea is that the government gives you a voucher and that you can use it to buy health insurance.

He didn't explain what a great boondoggle this is for the insurance companies. Instead of Medicare paying your health bills directly, an insurance company will get to skim off a portion of the payment.

Of course Rep. Schilling is always careful to point out that this does not apply to people over age 55.

If this is such a good idea why shouldn't it apply to everyone?

Why shouldn't we old folks get the benefits of this wonderful new plan?

Perhaps the truth is that they think that if they let us keep the "real Medicare" that we will be selfish enough and stupid enough to sell out to them so that they can perpetrate this fraud on our children and grandchildren.

John Caldwell

Rock Island