Retirees build for Paul Ryan and say no to 'mediscare'

Written by Starla M. Brown on . Posted in Staff Op-Eds

We hear "You didn't build… that" a great deal since Obama's gaffe of late when commenting on business and his suggestion that no business was built by anyone without the government's role.  This past weekend while attending the Paul Ryan rally in The Villages, Florida I watched the crowd and a very different perspective came to mind.

 

It's no secret to Floridians The Villages, which encompasses Sumter County and parts of Lake and Marion counties is a force among retirement communities, but it is also home to a number of retirees who did "build that".  Let's be real when I viewed the generation of residents who had gathered with signs and flags, many dressed in red, white and blue, it was evident not only did they build their businesses, but this generation of Americans were quite instrumental in building America as the greatest nation.  And, from the looks on their faces and the reaction of the crowd, they do not intend to let what they built go down without a fight.

 

After all this generation is comprised of proud Americans many of whom are veterans and who not only served their country militarily, but then went on to build businesses all across America and retire to the American dream and enjoy their golden years.  When singer Lee Greenwood sang his signature I'm Proud to be an American men and women shed tears and lips trembled to fight back the emotions of what may very well be a grandfather or grandmother worried about the future for a generation of grandchildren or great-grandchildren they worked so hard to build.  A future built to give the next generation every opportunity for success, now riddled with uncertainties over debt and uncontrolled government spending.  Watching I have to admit I was smiling, with a tearful eye.

 

Why? Because I saw what will decide this election in November, and I saw an energized group of older Americans who know how to build a strong nation, and will show up to vote.  They will take this election very serious and Obama if I were you I would have a clear understanding that your 'mediscare' tactics are not working.  Paul Ryan is doing an excellent job of getting out the message that we must reform Medicare while you have, well basically Joe Biden, not even a contest to these people.  They like Paul Ryan and his Mom, Betty is part of their generation.  When Paul Ryan addressed the crowd on Saturday in reference to his Mom's own small business he said, "And mom -- you did build that".  I saw a generation of Americans who agreed that they built their business, not the government and will make sure that opinion is voted out of our government at every level.  If the road to the White House truly leads through Florida, it will certainly trek through The Villages, and Main Street likes Romney-Ryan.