In numbers and issues, “Grays” will matter in the upcoming election

BY STAFF WRITER —
There’s been a lot of buzz about younger people getting involved in the political process this primary season. And that’s a good thing.

But older voters remain a powerful voting block. Historically, they’ve been among the most consistent voters. According to Census Bureau records, in the 2004 presidential election, 73.3% of those age 64 to 74 voted, the highest percentage among age groups. And those 75 and older followed closely at 68.5%.

Combine that voting pattern and the growing numbers of the elderly, and it’s a good bet that issues related to aging will influence public policy debates during this presidential campaign.

Driven by the aging of the Baby Boomers and increases in life expectancy, the population age 65 and older will more than double in the next 20 years. This means that by 2030, 1 in every 5 Americans will be age 65 or more, reports the National Institute of Aging.

Minnesota’s population numbers will follow national trends. During the next decades, growth in the 65+ population will far exceed other age groups. By 2030, nearly 1 in every 4 Minnesotans will be 65 or older. By 2050, those 85 and older will have nearly tripled in number.

What's behind the aging population?

1. People are just plain living longer.

Life expectancy for both men and women has increased dramatically. In 1900 it was about 47 and in 1959 it was 68. Today it is 78 and rising. And the average life span worldwide is expected to extend another 10 years by 2050, according to an United Nations Report on Aging.

2. Baby Boomers are getting older.

The 78 million Boomers have swelled the numbers of whatever population segment they have been in and it won’t be any different in old age. By 2029, all Baby Boomers (born between 1946-1964) will be age 65 or older.

3. The birth rate in the U.S. dropped right after the Boomers were born.

There were fewer younger people born immediately after the Boomers — a fact that will drive up the median age in the U.S. from 35.3 in 2000 to 39 in 2030.

Issues

Issues important to seniors — Social Security solvency, Medicare, the number of healthcare workers compared to the number of elderly — have already found their way into the political arena. Healthcare is an issue being followed closely by those not quite eligible for Medicare who pay some of the highest rates for medical insurance.

How do the current crop of presidential aspirants stand on these issues? There are a number of Websites that can help you compare the candidates’ position.

The Annenberg Political Fact Check
This is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. It is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.

Healthcare08.org
A Web site sponsored by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which has a comparison of Republican and Democratic healthcare proposals.

HealthCentral Network, Inc.
This site is maintained by a collection of owned and operated Websites and multimedia affiliate properties providing in-depth medical information.

Comparison on climate and energy issues
This site is maintained by Grist, a non profit foundation based in Seattle.

New York Times Election Guide
Put together by the New York Times, this is a comparison of stands on a variety of issues, such as health care, Iraq, climate change and the economy.

(Posted: March 2, 2008)