The upcoming election in November may be one of the most important elections in recent history, as we all know the future of the American safety net is threatened. The misrepresentation and misunderstanding of Social Security and Medicare as entitlements is a disservice to our older Americans who have contributed to these funds throughout their lives. These earned benefit programs, created decades ago, were designed with the faith that as our contributions supported others, we too would be sustained as we aged. We must protect these programs, which are the foundation for independent living for all older adults.