As to libertarian complaints, really I am articulating the position of the <i>fiscal right</i>, i.e. fiscal conservatives.  We are discussing the federal budget, after all.<p>Whether old people and the AARP embrace Medicare in a selfish stab at the identity-politics cookie jar does not affect the classical republican (and indeed, liberal) platform.  Note that I am <i>not</i> referring to and am in fact counter-indicating <i>the GOP</i>.<p>The are plenty of old democrats, too.