KINGSPORT,
Tenn.- Concerns about the future of Social Security and Medicare brought out
hundreds of Tennessee seniors to a town hall meeting this week in Kingsport.
"I worked
40 some years and then lost everything. I can't have my Social Security messed
with. I can't have my Medicare messed with," said Kingsport resident James
Pickering.
The
AARP is behind this event as part of their ongoing attempts to hear from people
about two important issues in the upcoming presidential election.
Both
Social Security and Medicare were big issues on the campaign trail Saturday
night, and they are certain to be the focus of next week's presidential
debates.
Vice
President Joe Biden played to Florida's older voters Saturday, first at a
diner, then at a rally. Biden said President Obama wants to make sure Medicare
is around for future generations.
"The
action the President took has actually strengthened the Medicare trust fund and
exceeded its life up to 2024," Biden told the crowd.
Biden
argued Republicans Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan want to drastically change the
program.
In
New Hampshire, the GOP vice presidential nominee hammered the Obama
administration for out-of-control borrowing and spending.
"As
a result of seeing the most predictable economic crisis in our country's
history and not fixing it, our credit rating was downgraded for the first time
in our history," Ryan said.
Off
the campaign trail, the presidential candidates are prepping for their first debate.
In
practice sessions, Romney will get help from Ohio Senator Rob Portman. He'll
play the role of the president. President Obama will look to Massachusetts
Senator John Kerry to stand in for Romney.
Wednesday's
debate at the University of Denver will give both candidates a chance to also
explain their plans for health care and the economy.
Biden speaks at a rally in Tamarac, Fl.
