The share of Americans 65 and older with mortgage debt rose to 30 percent in 2011 from 22 percent in 2001.

Most (54 percent) say they either wont retire at all or will have to continue to work after they turn 65.

Its unrealistic to expect the typical politician to avert their re-election eyes from this budgetary temptation. We must help them help themselves, or theyll bring us all down in a maelstrom of financial decay.