Remember back in the 1960s when baby boomers used to stage protest rallies and sit-ins to rebel against decisions made by the establishment? Those were the good old days. When change was called for, boomers were willing to march and hold placards to draw attention to the problems of the day.

My, we've gotten complacent. Yet there are plenty of reasons today to turn off "American Idol," set aside the Doritos and participate in a mass rally. Health care may be the most important one.

Most Americans have strong convictions about this issue. In the most recent Kaiser Health Tracking poll taken in early December, consumers across all party lines cited health care as the top domestic issue that they would like the presidential candidates to address.

Want to know what the candidates say? Bankrate's election coverage highlights health care among one of six pocketbook issues examined.

Here's a short summary: The Democratic candidates are campaigning for affordable health care plans for all Americans. Meanwhile, the Republican candidates say that Americans need to take more responsibility for their own health care. Compare their views side by side.

Moral disgrace
My friend's son works for an ad agency in New York City. Because he's a contract worker, he doesn't get employee benefits. He was recently mugged and had to go to the emergency room for stitches on his face. The tab: more than $3,000. Talk about adding insult to injury.

Currently about 47 million Americans don't have health care coverage. Presidential candidate former Sen. John Edwards calls this a "moral disgrace."

Lots of people think it's wrong that so many Americans have no coverage. In fact, most people are willing to help solve the problem with their own money, according to the 2007 Health Confidence Survey released in November by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, or EBRI.

Americans willing to pay for universal health care

• 68 percent would be willing to fork over 1 percent more in federal income taxes to pay for universal health care coverage. • 39 percent would pay 3 percent more than they pay now. • 22 percent would pay 5 percent more.

Americans say this even though rising health care costs have had a deleterious impact on their own personal finances. A third have decreased contributions to their retirement plans, and half curtailed other savings plans because of escalating health care expenses. Some report having trouble paying for such basics as food and housing.

And some have had to cut corners with their own health care because of costs. A huge number -- 64 percent, up from 54 percent in 2005 -- don't see the doctor until they experience serious symptoms. This is potentially a bad decision if earlier detection of an illness could avert complicated (and expensive) treatments down the road.