E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSFrom NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
Before unveiling his fiscal plan that would phase out Medicare (and make big cuts to much of the rest of the budget), Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) said this on Sunday of Democrats:
“They are going to demagogue us, and it's that demagoguery that has always prevented political leaders in the past from actually trying to fix the problem. We can't keep kicking this can down the road. The president has punted. We're not going to follow suit. And, yes, we will be giving our political adversaries things to use against us in the next election, and shame on them if they do that.”
But in American politics, there’s usually enough shame to go around.
Before the 2010 elections, it was Republicans doing the demagogue-ing -- so to speak. The GOP -- as well as outside conservative groups (like Crossroads GPS and 60 Plus, the conservative alternative to AARP) -- criticized the proposed cuts to Medicare in the health-care overhaul.
The Democratic National Committee attempted to play defense, but Republicans blitzed the airwaves grabbing onto the Medicare issue. (At First Read, we wrote about the GOP’s 180 -- and now apparent 360 -- on Medicare here, here, and here.)
Here’s a sampling of scripts and links from other ads Republicans and Republican-leaning groups ran:
60 Plus vs. former Rep. Allen Boyd (D-FL): Older man: “Allen Boyd has betrayed Florida seniors.” Woman: “Instead of voting to protect us, he supported Nancy Pelosi’s liberal agenda.” Another woman: “Boyd voted for Nancy Pelosi’s health care bill, which would cut $500 billion from Medicare.” Another man: “That will hurt the quality of our care.” Woman: “We thought Boyd was looking out for us. But Allen Boyd switched his vote on health care.” Man: “Florida seniors can send Allen Boyd a message – he betrayed us. This November, we’ll remember.” (Hat tip: Politifact.)
Crossroads GPS vs. Joe Sestak (D-PA): “What’s Congressman Joe Sestak done? He voted to gut Medicare, slashing benefits for Pennsylvania seniors. The Obama-Sestak scheme could jeopardize access to care for millions. … Gutting Medicare, hurting seniors, killing jobs, Pennsylvania can’t afford Joe Sestak.”
That looks very similar to this NRSC vs. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO): Bennet: “I’ve been in Washington only a year.” Announcer: “And what’s Bennet done? He voted to gut Medicare, jeopardizing benefits for over 200,000 Colorado seniors. … Gutting Medicare, hurting seniors, killing jobs.”
Crossroads GPS vs. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA): “California seniors are worried. Barbara Boxer voted to cut spending on Medicare benefits by $500 billion. Cuts so costly to hospitals and nursing homes that they could stop taking Medicare altogether. Boxer’s cut would sharply reduce benefits for some and could jeopardize access to care for millions of others. … Check the facts and take action. Call Boxer. Stop the Medicare cuts.”
And here was former RNC Chairman Michael Steele touting his proposed “Seniors Bill of Rights”: “No cuts to Medicare to pay for another program. Zero.”
There was even an RNC Spanish-language radio ad (translated, per RealClearPolitics): “Where is the money going to come from? Will you really cut funding for Medicare to pay for it? How can that be good? That’s really going to hurt our seniors. Big federal spending programs, no improvement in jobs, and Medicare cuts. That’s just not good enough. We can’t afford for things to keep on this way. Mr. President - is this the best you can do.”
From the ambiguously named, “League of American Voters”: Young woman: “Cutting Medicare $400 billion?” Faux government official: “Streamlining. The elderly are such a drain on the system.”
Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) v. Jim Meffert (DFL-MN): “Meffert’s for the trillion-dollar health-care takeover and a massive $500 billion cut in Medicare”
Here was the NRCC against former Rep. Mark Schauer (D-MI): “Maybe Schauer’s trying to hide his own vote to cut $500 billion from Medicare. Listen to Schauer caught on tape.” Schauer’s voice: “Yes, there are Medicare cuts.” Announcer: “Did Schauer really vote to cut Medicare?” Schauer again: “There are Medicare cuts.” Announcer: “Let’s save Medicare, and cut Schauer.”
Now freshman Rep. Dan Benishek (R-MI) vowed: “Social Security and Medicare are a promise we’ve made to our seniors. And I will keep that promise.” Announcer: “Dr. Dan Benishek’s plan would guarantee Social Security and Medicare for the future.”
Lamar Alexander (in Senate Republicans’ video at about 0:46): “We can say no to higher taxes, higher premiums, and cuts to Medicare.”
Leave a Comment:
I'm a Democrat but even I know that entitlements have grown too large. Just cutting entitlements a'int gonna do the trick.
1. Poverty promulgating poverty. The biggist problem is children having children. The children don't know how to raise children and the first 5 years of life are the most important for a child.
I don't know how to 'fix' this but somehow it's the only way to seriously dent that entitlement (other than creating an even more serious poverty problem).
2. Baby Boomers. Too many for the following generations to support ? Probably. So what gives ?
Free cigarettes for all with any other drug desired ? Free bungee jumping, skydiving, cave diving ? Any dangerous activity so we baby boomers can a least go out in style ?
The generations before the baby boomers are taking over and they don't want to pay for us. In another 30 years the problems of today will be gone. I see no problem here.
Paulb, the best way to secure SSI is to make million and billionaires pay on every dollar they earn just like the middle class!! I don't see them turning down their monthly checks they go ahead and cash their SSI checks even though they have millions in the bank, look at John McCain!! So why do they only pay on the first $130,000?? Make them pay on every single dollar just like everyday joes earning under $136,00 and SSI will be fine!!
Thanks Blue! I wondered if there was still a cap in place. You answered my question and, I believe the question on how to keep SS solvent. (as long as the govt. does not borrow from the fund anymore that it has) Eliminate the cap on SS Tax. Keep the same "flat rate" that those of us earning under 130,000 dollars must pay. Any accountants or financial analysts out there want to do a projection on what that would mean to SS solvency???? Hmm..seems too simple doesn't it.
The GOP may soon find out why social security and medicare is called the third rail. You touch it and you are dead politically.
I have worked all my life and paid into medicare and social security. Its my money, I am entitled to it. So if you want to call it entitlement go ahead. I paid it in and I expect to get it back. The GOP wants to make the rich, richer and help big business pay fewer taxes, they could give a crap about the seniors, the middle class and the poor. I think the scum sucking bottom-feeder is a REPUBLICAN and the Tea Party. And ugly too.
Cat - made my comment before reading your post. Enjoyed it.
The Republicans being the (Christian) right is repulsive; and I"M NOT a Democrat.
Watch it: all they want is the rich to get richer, and to take away from the middle class to do it. Therefore, the USA will end up with only the rich and the extremely poor; middle class, "bled-to-death". Is that not--basically--how the Soviet Union ended up being: rich politicos and the "in" businessmen and every one else so dirt poor, they didn't know what to do with the freedom the break-up of the USSR gave them. Go ahead, call me fanatical, but you set back and take a long, common-sense filled look....and see.
Well its fairly obvious the ideologues have shown up in force spouting their usual socialistic tripe. By their posts it can be seen that not a one has actually read the legislative outline by Ryan line by line. In sum its a pretty good blueprint for the non descretionary portion of the budget (for the anti military types that's where the military budget is). The Democrats will look at it, and offer their compromises, and in the end we will all be better off by having dug ourselves out of the fiscal deficit we put ourselves in.
For you anti military types yes those wars certainly didn't help, and we should have taxed for them in any case so please save your rants. The descretionary portion of the budget as I mentioned is separate and should be examined as well, including the military budget. I am not sure just why we still have 65k troops in Germany, and 55k troops in Japan 66 years after WW2, or why our congress maintains funding for weapon systems that even our military doesn't want anymore. We do have to stop being the worlds policeman.
However back to Ryans proposal, please don't listen to the lefts rants demagoguing it and making Ryan out to be the boogyman. Read it carefully, and you will see that it is actually a good plan to start the debate on. There are actually many parts that will benefit the lesser advantaged of us. As I mentioned previously the Dem's will look it over, and suggest some changes. I suspect that will prove a good thing in the overall context of getting this legislation passed.
Let the "civil" conversation begin.
Good thoughts; good post. Amen to some "civil" conversation. They just don't see what road their incivility is taking us down.
Ryan's plan is not serious. Extending the Bush tax cuts? Extending Farm subsidies? Extending oil company subsidies? Increasing military spending? Vouchers (as if any insurance company is going to want to TOUCH anyone 65 years old)?
Yes, I did read his proposals. They are almost the same warmed-over dog vomit that Newt Gingrich tried to push through in 1994. There is nothing new here - just the same old GOP demagoguery disguised as "good governance".
But hey, you want to buy into it I ain't going to stop you. When your opponent is making a mistake, the best thing to do is stand back and let them.
So sorry unfortunetly you did not read the proposal, or you would have obviously understood that it did not include descretionary spending, i.e. Military spending,various subsidies, etc. That is another debate which will also have to take place, and where you might be surprised to learn that not all on the right support them to the extent you think they do. Don't swallow all that leftist ca ca, instead join the JFK type Democrats and help us all find an acceptable solution that we all can live with.
Any solution that includes any of Congressman Ryan's drivel is not a solution that is acceptable.
How to grow jobs, energy, the economy, remain competitive, and eliminate the deficit:
1. Legislatively remove the anti-trust exemption for insurance, The McCarran-Ferguson Act. Then Repeal Obamacare as unnecessary.
2.. Legislatively restrict the wetlands definition of "navigable waters of the United States" in the Clean Water Act.
3. Fund and begin construction of power generation and water supply projects necessary to meet future population and industrial demands.
4. Remove all geographic restrictions on oil and natural gas drilling, and use the power of federal money transfers to the States to prevent States and local governments from interfering with drilling.
5.. Remove environmental restrictions and environmental and social impact requirements for all infrastructure and utility construction for the next 10 years.
6.Cut Federal budget by 10% excluding defense, starting with those duplicative items identified in the 3/1/11 GAO report and Presidents Debt Commission, however, maintain current spending for infrastructure construction, repair and upgrade for the next 5 years. Repeal the Davis-Bacon Act.
7. Reduce corporate tax rates by 50%. Reduce Corporate tax rates by 70% on private utilities and transport companies.
8. Reinstitute significant tax and assistance payments for residential and commercial alternative energy instillations, particularly focusing on residential solar. Use Commerce Clause to force all electrical utilities to be reverse metering.
9. Subsidies the further development of electric and hybrid electric cars. Provide significant tax breaks and incentives for the purchase of same, particularly when combined with the purchase of a residential solar instillation within two years of one another. This is no longer a simple market issue, but one of national security as the time to substitution is longer than the economy can withstand when confronted with a supply side shock
10. Eliminate the Ethanol subsidy for any and all processes using foodstuffs. Redirect monies to nuclear and coal. Streamline regulation of new construction of nuclear power plants and provide incentives for same. Open Yucca Mountain as originally agreed.
11. Eliminate any power of the EPA to regulate Carbon.
12. Use the power of the Federal purse to eviscerate Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005) and Tahoe-Sierra Preservation Council, Inc. v. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, 535 U.S. 302 (2002),
13. Repeal the Community Reinvestment Act.
14. Hold congressional investigations into the roll of the Community Reinvestment Act, Freddie and Fannie in inflating demand and thus prices resulting in the collapse of the real estate market.
15. Build a wall embedded with sensors and toped with razor wire along both our borders, beginning with the southern one. In the name of national security remove all environmental restrictions and environmental and social impact requirements for the construction of same.
16 Pass legislation that all jurisdictions receiving federal monies of any sort are required to enforce all of the laws of the land, including enforcement of federal immigration laws.
17. Restrict the collective bargaining power of State civil service unions in line with the 1978 Federal Civil Service Reform Act
18. Scrap the tax code and adopt a flat-tax that will build the size of the pie (and thus tax revenues) for everyone instead of the Obama class warfare of trying to redistribute a shrinking one.
19. Revisit New York Times v. Sullivan and remove the "actual malice" requirement to improve the quality, objectivity and accuracy of media reporting,
Since I have seen this post here previously, I am certain you have sent copies to every member of the legislature. What kind of response have you received? With a throw down slam dunk like this, they could enact it and take another weeklong vacation ~ probably two or three of them. You might consider adding this to you list of winners ~ for every job exported by American corporations, a one-half percent increase will be imposed on their products as an import duty ~ all the way to 100% of they cost us 200 jobs or more. But that wouldn't be nice ~ so we won't. Wouldn't want to make anyone mad.
New Malthus: Oh My Gosh!! Are you kidding!!?? This will never fly! It makes way too much like sense! Also, it didn't take 7,000 pages either...they'll laugh...till the next election, then it all won't be quite so funny, will it?
Its refreshing to see someone with the cojones to tackle entitlements. We currently do not have a sustainable model. Saying we can leave these alone, while only touching discretionary spending is like saying I'm going to get out of 25K of credit card debit by giving up going to the movies once a month.
Hopefully health care reform helps to lower the overall cost of Medicare/aid which is a good first step. If the repubs do not want to be hypocrits, they'll rally behind getting proper reform through. Otherwise this is just lip service, aka cutting taxes for the rich, while reducing programs that sustain jobs, etc.
What is the definition of "entitlement?" Entitlement is not a gift. It is something that has been invested in, in order to receive compensation at a later date. If I work for 40 hours, I am entitled to a paycheck. I have been paying into SS since I was 12 years old. (except my lawn mowing for neighbors) My employers over the years have also been paying into SS. Since I am not a tax person, I am not sure if the SS tax still has an earnings limit as it used to. If it does, why? If at a relatively moderate salary I have to pay a pretty large part of my paycheck to State&Local Taxes, Federal Taxes, Social Security and Medicare, why isn't it that those with LARGE PAYCHECKS pay so much less on a proportionate basis?
Entitlement is not a dirty word. It is compensation for that which has been "invested!" I never made a lot of money (I know that is MY problem.) but SS & Medicare indivually were more that I paid in Federal and State Taxes. How have they been managing my "investment" for these 50 years? They haven't been borrowing from this piggy bank and not be repaying have they???
Entitlement is just that: entitlement...not a dirty word, but just compensation for years of investment.
Doc (not an MD)
How surprising the GOP would cast negative accusations against the Dems regarding the 2010 health care legislation on Medicare. How shocking the GOP would support reducing Medicare benefits and even Medicare itself. How unbelievable that the Earth is round.
Yes, that is just incredible! Isn't it just as amazing that we're now learning that Tina Fey cost McCain/Palin the election. Their attack--ungodly attack--on the opposition is what cost. You do not do another human being--don't care who they are--that way and "profit". Not as long as there's a God. Republicans (who are in this shape) need to get their hearts right, then sell their plan, not try to slaughter the other guy. Horrible marketing strategy!!!
RVZ555 Wow you must be really smart!
Hmm... So what we have been doing for the last 10 years with the tax model is not working....so the tax cuts for the rich and the Corporate Welfare is not working....In order to make the tax model work we will have to take more from the less fortunate, poor, elderly and middle class.....By God that will make it work!!...If not the GOp/Nutbagger will take more, more, more from the less fortunate......
Yes, Gorilla, I've think you've got it; rather simple, actually, isn't it?
It sounds much like this take.
Doc you are exacty right! Why is this not ever mentioned. Lets see does anyone know how much money has been stolen from "entitlements" over the years? And I mean stolen!
I cannot believe there are people in America who have listened to the Republican, Tea Party rhetoric and still believe they are for the citizenery. No no no those assss are for themselves, regardless of their comments. If they are really serious, they could give up their Government Socialistic health care. ha ha fat chance or give up their LIBERAL retirement, no no no. they will just keep cheating us and lie about it so they can keep their stuff and take away our stuff. I have real difficulty understanding how these people cannot figure out the Republicans,,,the first 35-40 years of my life I was a Conservative Republican, but then I started checking what they were telling me, and found most of it to be untrue, unfair and wrong....and I voted for Barry Goldwater, and Richard Nixon (once).
Goldwater and Nixon would be liberals in today's GOP.
Considering the strong resemblence of Affordable Care to Nixon's alternative to the Democratic plan of the 1970s I'd say you are "Spotts On".
Ted, I was never a Republican, but in defense of you having been one, the Republican party used to be way different from today. They were always for the wealthy, but today, they are overrun by hipocrites and religious fanatics.
Spotts, Goldwater and Nixon would not be in today's GOP. They would have been kicked out. Way too liberal y today's standards.
if there's one thing that's evident when I read these comments, its that the Republicans are very good at garnering support from people who, apparently, would rather vote against their own interests than support our president. Stunning actually.
Well it's Goodbye for Rep. Paul Ryan. I think he will be thrown out with Gov. Scott Walker. Looks like things are swinging back to the Democrats side. Republicans had a chance and blew it.
“They are going to demagogue us, and it's that demagoguery that has always prevented political leaders in the past from actually trying to fix the problem. We can't keep kicking this can down the road. The president has punted. We're not going to follow suit. And, yes, we will be giving our political adversaries things to use against us in the next election, and shame on them if they do that.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Talk about hypocrisy...isnt these the same clowns who have perfected the art of demagoguing others for political points?
Shame on you righties and Tea partiers. This is as low as it gets in politics. This is why independents like me have historically leaned towards the left.
Political vitriol and propaganda only fuels hatred and fear on those that are misinformed. Little education and awareness only worsens the situation. You fight the middle class, the elderly, minorities...who else do you have to support you? Nobody but the hate mongers, racists, and the rich you have fought so hard to protect. But guess what psychos? How many of these are there? I am a little creaped to imagine too many of you people aroundHitler used the propagand pretty well in every facet of life. Your ideology lingers on extremism if not Nuttism!!!!
Yup you sure sound like an Independent.
Watch out older Americans! The Republicans are coming for your Health Care! Call your congress people and tell them to leave us alone. We cant afford Ryans plan.
Try reading it, unless you're presently over 55 years old there is no affect whatsoever. Under 55 affects are quite minimal, and in some cases beneficial. However don't let facts get in the way of a good old ideological rant.
Larry, turn on POTUS on Sirius radio. You might change your mind. The changes they talk about arent as they seem in this article. DO NOT TRUST RYAN, the guy is a worm.
My dad is 55. My mom is 53. Under the Ryan plan, my dad gets to keep Medicare while my mom has to take her chances in the private market and hope the voucher covers whatever the cost of insurance is (and since the voucher isn't tied to the rate of inflation, good luck with that one).
Even though she has paid into Medicare just as much as he has, she'll end up with crappier insurance or possibly none at all if it isn't affordable (they're middle class, but certainly nowhere near wealthy).
Now tell me, is that fair? Is that just?
Congressman Ryan's big mistake today, was not first apologizing to the American public for the past several decades of budget and deficit spending by the GOP, then addressed what the GOP now wants to do to correct those mistakes. Then, and only then, I would listen more closely. He blew it.
Thanks for the History Lesson! Now read the GOP/RNC political policy of "Richie Rich Ryan," and his good buddy "Whacky Walker" of the State of Wisconsin. The Democratic reader will find it politically alarming, and economically evil. The Tea Beggers will read this history with blinders on, and with a very sarcastic smile. The elderly, the disabled, the Middle Class, and the working poor, had better read this very carefully. Progressive Power!!
You are talking fairness and justice? Forget about including the republican party in those words. Understand one thing: this party is so dertimined to destroy this president that they will take down the middle class to do so. They are shameless. Do you all know that included in Ryans so called "plan" is the $550 billion saved under Obamacare. If you do not agree with these guys, please, I beg you, get on your computers and demand your congressmen/women refuse to support them. If you are part of the middle class, please do your research and tell these guys to shut up.
I hope this president lets them hang themselves. Let the American people see them for the liars and traitors they are.
Republican sacred cows...
* military welfare & weapons spending bloat
* farm subsidies for the 'good ol boys' back home
* tax breaks for big business, especially the mega-profitable ones that devour publicly owned resources (oil, timber, coal, you name it)
* banks and investment institutions
But the rocking chair hillbillies will not like it when they find that it is not only 'city folk' that need jobs and the ability to afford a doctor
Why don't we really cut to the chase, the only way to fix our economy, and put a real dent into our deficit, is to make the rich and corporate interest pay their fair share; until there is true parity you can cut every program, shut down the government, and it will not repair the economic damage caused by Republican malfisance.
To all the old teabaggers and 'conservatives' out there looking for a word to decsribe the folks you elected in your haste to put the black guy in his place, may I suggest, "BETRAYED". Next time, get over your racism and use your head. The whores you got elected taked their orders from billionaires who would just as soon put you to death as give you a break on your medical bills. You'll be lucky to survive that moment of stupidity.
The republicans are liars, so? Why is this new news?