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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.”
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I could handle what they are saying much better if these Republicans would not take on such a detached (almost smug) attitude when discussing the nations problems. Most of the current debt is directly of indirectly related to the conditions that existed at the end of the last Administration. On top of that rests a tax cut to the wealthy that wiped out 5 Trillion in surplus and gave back nothing. Everything is always somebody else's fault, the Republican Mantra. Now, here they are back to finish the job.
Can we just eliminate these entitlement programs all ready?
Phase them out over time if you must, but eliminate them as quickly as possible. I can't believe how this country was tricked into an outdated European/Socialistic model.
I will gladly walk away from any "earned" amount I am entitled to...if you stop taxing me and my children today for SS and the Medicare/aid systems. I do not like relying on the Govt for a thing. Can't trust them not to change the rules once again. They are willing to take our cash and have us beholden to them...but slow to react to increase contributions to keep up with longevity and health care costs. They should have raised contributions decades ago...not retirement age, not taxable amount....but actual contribution percentages.
If they can't do this right, I want out. You should to...unless you like being at the whim of a politician who change every few years. Get a clue...terminate social security and get your retirement out of the hands of the government. Terminate it...and replace it with nothing other than self reliance and individual responsibility. We see what happens when you put your faith in politicians...stop this now so our grandkids are not stuck with this same sorry excuse for a system.
Lets stare a movement to terminate social security...or at least a way to opt out if you want no part of it.
So, when you are 75 and run out of money, can we just come a shoot you in the head so you don't become a burden on society? What the hell do you think caused people to legislate social security. Do you think they we just sitting around one day and thought it up? There was a reason, man, and it was ugly enough for people to say, we can't go on like this.
Mark, you make a great point that we should KNOW why something is in place before we simply decide to throw it out. My grandfather was born in 1893, Grandma 10 years before that. They were well into their lives by the time Social Security was passed and remembered the days when you were just out of luck when you ran out of money. They were very paranoid about it to the point of not wanting all their children to be married, just to make sure someone would be available to care for them in their elder years.
All very interesting but here are some facts for people to consider
-in the year 2000 president clinton left office with the country enjoying an annual budget SURPLUS
- President Bush is elected and aside from his complete inability to use the english language (if they voted that you needed to speak english to be a citizen he would have never been president) He managed to embroil us in not one but two costly and long term wars (two of the longest in american history and costing well over 1.2 TRILLION dollars) only one of which was justified and ironically the one he paid least attention to. secondly his administration was the first in american history to go through not one but TWO major recessions. Additionally he was responsible for leaving a major section of the US South in devastation and poverty for years after one of the nations worst natural distasters which still has not fully recovered and the levees are just as vulnerable now as they were in 2004. He even rejected a dutch offer in which they would send over their specialized dike building equipment to build levees that would withstand the strongest storms (i mean these guys should know seeing as their entire COUNTRY exists below sea level so they should know a thing or two about keeping the sea at bay) Bush and other top republicans were also instrumental in putting through the first series of bailouts which are now being so lambasted by non other than republicans
So obama gets elected into the worst s***storm our country has faced since the great depression and world war two and what does he get from the instant he gets in office? the disrespect of many Americans asking where he was born because they cant get their heads around having a president who wasnt white. That is just shameful. So to avert a crisis he went with putting more bailouts (a bush plan btw) for major us industries so that the Great Recession didnt become the Great Depression part II (along with 33% unemployment) only to be fought tooth and nail by the same ppl who proposed the inital bailout. That makes a lot of sense. The companies rescued by these bailouts have now-in the vast majority-recovered and repaid their debts plus interest. The bailout has now PROFITED the american taxpayer by some $30 BILLION. Seems like the Bush-Obama rescue package worked out better than expected and Bush gets all the good credit for it while Obama gets the short end of the stick for spending the money which ended up being a good investment with a remarkably quick return. Republicans are probably annoyed that these bailouts were loans rather than givemes so that their business buddies could have an even cushier time. So obama next tries to tackle Health Care (one of his campaign promises which had he not done would have gotten him a great amount of scorn so he was kinda damned if he did damned he didnt on that one). Now this is something that No american president or congress has had the balls to touch for over 60 years before i say anything else i wish to give obama cudos for trying. That being said i think that the health care plan set forth by obama and the democrats is not particularly good. its a good first step but it didnt go nearly far enough. Ideally it should have incorporated and replaced medicaid and social security having three items doing relatively similar tasks is just entirely inefficient. but what the hell its better than what we had before and its a good first step hopefully through bipartisan negotiations something better will come about. But this will not occur if the republicans continue behaving like spoiled children that had their lolly pop taken away. during the healthcare debate the democrats did make efforts to include the republicans (maybe not enough but they did make the effort) but the republicans (by and large and i apologize to any republicans who voted for healthcare and/or made a legitamate effort to do somethign for the good of the entire country but im generalizing as is convenient and necessary for this type of discussion) would have none of it and to my impression simply sat in session and pouted that they neither had a majority or the presidency at the time. But in a rare display of bipartisanship both the dems and reps came together and passed some good bills last december...if that would only last. Now i do like obama i sympathize with him and think he is doing a good job considering how screwed our country is after 8 years of republican domination. I dont think he is a great president but he is certainly not bad or the villain that many make him out to be. i dont agree with his handling of afganistan (i think after a decade if the afgani government insults us and derides us at every turn that they can see how long they last on their own...my bet is on 3 months) or his handling of libya( we should have supported the rebels sooner and maybe even put a CIA team on the ground to pop the arrogant SOB gaddafi who would have hitlerian ambitions had there not been the international coalition finally acting at the last possible minute) or his keeping GITMO open (that place is an insult to american traditions and the ideals we fight our wars to uphold by having this place open we are no better than our enemy) or by not more aggressively opposing the resinstatement of the patriot act (another affront to liberty) but and this is something for all the republicans and democrats out there to take to heart DEMOCRACY CANNOT EXIST WITHOUT COMPROMISE in fact benjamin franklin had this to say as the delegates were leaving the constitutional convention in 1789 "We have a result none of us are happy with the result but we can all LIVE with the result" extremism of any sort has no place in washington or in a democracy last time extremism took hold 1 million americans died-at american hands.
It took us decades to accumulate this debt but we are going to pay it off within one election cycle. Everyone wants to reduce the budget so long as it isn't their ox that's gored. Neither side has cornered the market on answers. Neither side is exempt from blame. The next time we get into a financial mess, provided we ever get out of this one, I shudder to think what we will do to get out of it.
Paul, you come from a long line of 'light weight thinkers' who like to espouse the gross tax rate, not the effective tax rate. Why? Because the numbers then better align with your political leanings. As an earlier poster noted (please see her detailed analysis), corporations today now pay almost the lowest effective tax rate in the entire world, thanks to huge tax breaks given to them by many administrations. GE pays almost no tax at all.....and like GE, many of the biggest companies park their profits overseas because they avoid paying tax on them that way. So you really think that large corporations think of what's best for you and me first? Think again. By law, they are required to think of their shareholders' best interest first. If you need help understanding what that law is (been on our books for a long time), I'll be happy to help you out.
Republicans talk out of both sides of their mouths. They rallied America against health care by telling seniors to "..keep your dang government out of my Medicare!!!" And they believed it and voted for those wonderful Republicans! they were going to preserve the status quo and prevent any change in senior's Medicare!!! But, SURPRISE!! those same Republicans now want to gut Medicare. It's so sad that American Seniors are being jerked around by these people who really want to screw the middle class and give themselves massive tax cuts and corporate bonuses. It's also sad that most American seniors somehow think that Medicare has nothing to do with government and vote in the Republicans who want to kill it.
What's the difference between a Republican and an @!$%#? The Republican smells much worse!
What's the difference between a Republican and an anal orifice? The Republican smells much worse!!!
Wisconsin is leading the way to the future. Soon the Wisconsin Republicans will decide to outlaw the Democratic party. Then, they will decide to outlaw any religion other than their view of Christianity. (By the way, only fundamentalist christians are true christians. Forget about Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans and other mainstream "liberal" denominations. They are not "true" christians.) Then, Governor Walker will send his brown shirts into the streets to enforce his view of the world. Unions will be abolished. Black people will be deported. Hmmm, what's next?
Yeah, like the Republicans ever cared about old people.   Or for that matter young people who will do without when they get old. Honestly, they seem hellbent on returning us to the 18th or 19th Century. Probably won't be happy til they've driven down life expectancy to age 40 or so!
This is the plot to kill granma!! Only this time granma voted for it herself. She and granpa are out with the tea party crowd yelling Cut it or shut it!! Cut it or shut it!! Shut it down! Shut it down!! Go granma! Tomorrow she will be saying hands off of my medicare, and the republicans will say: What medicare?
I normally identify as a liberal and a democrat, and to be quite honest, republican politicians make me quesy sometimes. At this point though, I am more sickened by the fact that our elected officials cannot work together on anything at all. I don't understand why they can't just sit down and figure it out. Well I do understand, they want to have a job after the election in two years....the whole political system is absolute BS and I think most Americans are frustrated by it. For reals? Stewart-Colbert 2012!
in response I offer this speech by FDR ---
please go to youtube and type in "I welcome their hatred"
God , please give us a leader with such conviction and ability to express a point.
One of the first steps is to take a realistic look at what we're really paying for. Everyone looks at Medicare and Social Security as these magic bank accounts where they'll get their money back. I say "magic" because there doesn't seem to be anything in those programs adjusting for an inflation lag and I don't think the original architects accounted for a giant glut hitting the system (boomers).
If they fail or get slashed, I don't feel all that affected. As a person in my early 30s, I've always been under the opinion that I'm not paying into a fund, but rather paying Elderly Tax. I'm fine with paying an Elderly Tax...and I only ask for some better accuracy in the naming.
I had a feeling this would come up. In looking at the demographic of the "no entitlements" crowd, it was only a matter of time until their entitlements were on the table.
This "Budget Proposal" just costs the Republicans the White House and Congress in 2012.
I can't believe the stupidity in the Republican Party. Medicare would have been just fine except for Bush and the Republicans "Ramming" Medicare Part D down the people's throat. This is the component of Medicare that needs changing and all Retired Seniors agree.
This will en up doing more harm to the Republican Party than Bush and the Republicans attempt at "Privatization of Social Security". Thanks Ryan, you have just given Obama and the Democrats a "2012 Landslide Victory".
OH MY GOD! Sarah Palin was right! There IS a Death Panel and it's headed by Congressman Ryan!
Josephi you are SOMEWHAT right but.... Ryan's Budget Proposal sucks but hasn't been shoved down our throats like Obamacare. 2 Bad proposals but only one will be passed.
Now I hope Reid will get a Budget bill passed through the senate. If he doesn't we can't really complain Boehner (who I think has a bad plan) at least passsed it through the House. Both parties are stinking up the place and Obama has sat back way too long before gettting involved.
Oh, so if there's no budget it's still the Democratic Party's fault because Senator Reid's stuck with rules that pretty much make it impossible to pass anything without a 60-vote supermajority that he doesn't have?
(Reconciliation is not available because it must be passed by concurrent resolution and the GOP-controlled House is not about to give the Democratic-controlled Senate that kind of leverage.)
And what, exactly, is the President supposed to do? If he sits back, he's accused of not doing his job. If he uses the "bully pulpit" he's accused of meddling in Congressional affairs and trying to overstep his authority. Again, lose-lose for him.
i am sick of this......if the Medicare and Social Security funds where not borrowed from for special interest projects and other things our MONEY would still be there collecting interest! We payed into this, our employers that we retired from now pass us to Medicare so they do not have to provide any medical after the age of 65! Unlike all our Congressmen and other politicians that continue to collect there entitlement of the best health care that we the people pay for! Rep, Dem, Teabaggers,and others are all crooks, stop the lobbing now and the buy off of our gov officials buy the corporations that are raping our entire country before its too late!
True American-2367375
Maybe it should have been un-True American-2367375
To True American
When you grow up and get a job, then you will be qualified to talk. It is apparent that you do not know that Social Security Taxes are taken out of our pay. Therefore, we are paying into the Social Security system. Social Security is an "Entitlement" program because we are "entitled" to the money we have paid into the system. It is not a give away and since you are not working, I cannot possibly be in your pocket.
I sincerely hope that when you become of age, there will be a decent American way of life with job opportunities available to you. If we continue down the road the extreme right want to take us, there will only be two classes of people in this country, the ultra rich and the poor with the poor having almost a zero chance to better their position in life.
Also we all pay for our Medicare after you retire every month for the rest of our lifes weather you use it or not! They want us to take cuts , but you don't hear that they are going to cut our payments!. Not to mention it doesn't cover a lot of things!
there is no such thing as a free lunch
Kim Heitz,
I probably will not use Medicare because I have a good plan in place; however, there are citizens other than myself that will need Medicare. However, if I need it, I am glad that its there for me. Kim if you live long enough; others will be putting money in for you, even if you do not use it.
I am one who thinks that we should, honor, respect, and take care of our elderly. It is they that have paved the road and made it possible for us to be where we are today. Too many young people do not appreciate the struggles of those that came before them. So many young people do not have compassion for those that are less fortunate then they, forgetting that fortunes can turn in minutes and whatever they think they have could be wiped out. We only have to look to history to see what happened when we did not have a safety net in place. Without the present programs or "entitlements" as some like to call them, instead of a deep recession, we would be in the middle of a great depression. Without the programs we have, children and those have less, would not have a place to sleep, food to eat or medical care. Work you say, we still have 8% unemployment; we are in a slow recovery, businesses are just beginning to rehire.
We've seen people upraising in other parts of the world, the main reason for their discontent is because the few have all the wealth and regardless of how hard they work, most cannot change their station in life or improve their circumstances.
We need to cherish what we have, make it better instead of trying to tear it down.
good points , thank you