Don't Touch My Medicare!

On the 46th anniversary of the creation of Medicare, demonstrators gathered in front of a lunchtime crowd in busy downtown Menlo Park, CA to sing happy birthday to Medicare and perform a skit "Don't Touch My Medicare!"

The Raging Grannies said of the current deficit debate:

"This is about the Republicans taking advantage of a crisis that they helped create, in order to essentially destroy the country's social support system. But make no mistake, BOTH major political parties are to blame for threatening the health and welfare of the American people with proposed cuts. People with disabilities and seniors depend on Medicare for long-term services and supports, and in times of economic downturn Social Security is more important than ever. We have to fight back against this bipartisan attack on our safety net."

The Grannies carried signs and sang songs including "Don't Throw Grandma Under the Bus." Healthcare Now! (group organizing for a national single-payer healthcare system) provided signs including one that inspired a Granny chant--Medicare is the solution, NOT the problem.

The Grannies, members of San Mateo County Democracy for America, and community members celebrated 46 years of Medicare with a finale number accompanied by ukulele, "Happy Birthday Medicare".