I am so glad to see Senator Mark Warner in the news. He is my kind of Democrat. I wanted to vote for him for President back in '08, bu he got out of the race early (probably because he's too sensible to put up with that BS.) I wish there were more politicians on the national scene like Mark Warner.

Let's all hope that the "Gang of Six" can come up with sensible solutions to our budget problems. They need to be looking at revenues (which does mean raising tax rates *gasp*) reducing unneccesary spending (yes, I mean farm, oil, and foriegn spending), getting out of our mideast military entanglements (end the multi-billion dollar per year wars), and looking at how we ar funding social security and medicare (yes, taxes on those may have to go up too.)

In additon, we need to have a serious look at reducing the cost of health care. I am not talking about how much it costs government, but how much it actually costs. If that means removing the excess layers associated with private insurance, then maybe it is time to have a single payer plan.

A balance has two sides. To limit budget activity to cuts to programs which help the poor, women, the disabled and the aged is unfair to those groups. To simultaneously cut taxes to the wealthy is just evil.

It will be very interesting to see what they economically come up with. Politically, it is good to see a group getting together, and critically thinking of how to help the nation economically prosper. The ideas of fairness economically, must be at the center of all political discussions. Do not put cultural/social issues in with any budget plan. Stay on task with putting together a fair economic plan that, poltically can pass both houses of Congress. If they see "Richie Rich Ryan" trying to get into the meetings? Please call the local mental hospital, and have his Social Worker to pick him up. This group needs to be productive, creative, consistent, set objectives, set goals, and work as a team. GET IT DONE!!

My fear is that the gang has just enough primadonnas to be trouble. Dorgan isn't running for re-election so he's got nothing to gain, but he may still be upset that his fellow Dems double crossed him on cross border drug purchases back during the health care debate. Durbin isn't going to be running for president, but like too many Senators, I think he sees himself as akin to being in the College of Cardinals. There is a certain odd dichotomy within the Medicare debate, as within the Tea Party in general. Those already receiving Medicare may have absolutely no remorse cutting off Medicare to those that follow them. These are the same folks that typically vote down school funding referendum, because they no longer have any kids in the schools.

Will someone please point out to me which if any of these so called gangs have ever produced anything realistic? It's symbolic they never produce anything real just Roderick.

keep your hands off my medicare and social security! i paid for this program my entire life and it's my money not yours! raise taxes on social security and medicare. this is a viable program!

I love it... the old people vote for the very people who screw them !  And will be stupid enough to vote them back in ....lol  wow...  i guess i am lucky to be over 55 so these old fools cant affect my Medicare and social security !

It is very inspiring to see that there are members of the Senate from all political points of view involved in this issue; called a gang. Perhaps the realization that each individual benefits when our civilized society is properly funded and costs are properly controlled is an idea whose time has come to those in Washington.

Unlike the mischievous and sometimes disrespectful members of the House of Representatives who seem to be representing the playground bully at an elementary school, the Senate seems to bring focus to the issues. The fact that politically opposed members have enough thought, tact, concern, and composure to work together is admirable. It is the way that the American people wants it to work. That meaning, place yourself above the fray and get down to doing the people's business.

I am thinking that a corporate flat tax is in the works. It's about time. It is a more fair-minded and practical approach. I do appreciate President Obama's statement in his State of the Union address when he stated that it was time to subsidize renewable energy sources in order to break away from fossil (mainly petroleum). I strongly feel that instead of tax breaks or subsidies, the government should fund research programs, on the University level, that will benefit business by incurring development costs.

Social Security and Medicare withholding rates probably do need another 1 to 2% rate hike. I favor this as compared with establishing a national sales tax (VAT). I could envision a 1 to 2% tax on hotel room stays and airline travel. Additionally, research programs in the use of technology (proper location of equipment and staff development) would definitely help to reduce Medicare costs. A network of Regional Speciality Centers would eliminate the need for each hospital to be strapped with the cost of purchasing, staffing, and maintaining extremely expensive equipment. Perhaps this could be done through Veteran's Administration. I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel. It seems it's all about logistics. Perhaps a smart phone application could play a part in this.

Income tax rates should be raised, and capped, at 42% for those earning $500,000 dollars and above. Bonuses and investment earnings should be handled by a flat tax (20% ?). I am also in favor of an additional 3% tax on stock and financial instrument transactions. Dedicate it to reducing the National Debt; in a separate trust fund with language stating that Congress cannot borrow from it.

That's what I believe will be coming out of the "Gang of Six"; what are your ideas?

Ryan's Plan: I would like to know how many of this so called Public Officials who want to End Medicare are over 55 years of age???? You know they are going to protect themselves. I'll bet their is a Great number of them, and they are going to use the Freshman Congressman to try and sell this to the People that put them in Office. , Americans are not that stupid they can see and understand just who the Ryan's of the world work for. Corporate America that's who. !!!!! The Tea Party has been kidnapped by Corporate America, wake up who sent you to Washington????? U nder Bush 2 Wars were paid for by supplement ( That is like getting a loan and Lending Tree and you get the money) and you say catch me if you can. Prescription Drug Plan ( Medicare Part D) never paid for. Bush's Tax Cuts never paid for, No Child Left Behind never Paid for. etc. We are smarter as Amercians to beleive this B. S. they keep throwing at us. Wake Up !!!!!!!

Congress& senate members have a different system they pay into ... for a full retirement from either all you need to work is a total of 5 yrs senate and 3 yrs congress ...pays 80% and full benefits of their 170K plus salaries

WSJ said Ryan’s Plan Gives Seniors a $15,000 Yearly Coupon & Retracted That To $8,000, In 3 Days; One Hospital Day Cost Significantly More, Gang of 6 Explain that!

On Wednesday April 13, 2011 “Review & Outlook” “Paul Ryan & His Critics’ said the following:

“The Premium Subsidy For Seniors To Choose From A List Of Regulated Private Health Plans-would start at $15,000 a Year and increase annually.

Then WJS On Saturday April 16, 2011

“GOP Gambles On Budget Plan” said this

“In his most dramatic proposal Mr. Ryan’s plan would “END Medicare’ Benefit Guarantee in favor of having Seniors Choose among Private Health Plans.

The U.S. would “Subsidize the Premium Payments With An Average Payment Starting At $8,000,

That Subsidy wouldn’t be guaranteed to keep pace with the rate of Health Care Inflation leaving “Beneficiaries Potentially to Face Growing Out-Of Pocket Costs”

Finally we get the truth,

• Medicare will Be “Eliminated”

• and Seniors will be given Coupons that are not Guaranteed, and

• will cost them significantly out of pocket Medical Bills and

• the GOP within one week changed the Voucher/Coupon from $15,000 Yearly to $8,000 Yearly

One day in the Hospital is significantly more than either the $, 8,000 or $15,000 Yearly Subsidy that Ryan and the Republicans plan to give to our Seniors

Any Senior that’s been hospitalized or not knows that their “Medical Bills” are significantly more than these two amounts.

Prescription Drugs well Seniors once again are on their own.

Here’s what the Media or anyone is asking

What Specific Private Insurance Companies have Guaranteed that they will take our Seniors?

What are their Exceptions, Limitations, Non-Covered Charges & Non-Covered Riders will be placed on these Seniors and for what Medical Conditions?

Exactly what benefits will be covered or partially covered, and at what dollar amount.

Tell the American people the exact Price Difference, the Benefit Difference that the Private Insurance Companies are guaranteeing.

What types of Illnesses will these Private Insurance Companies “Not Accept”?

Since the WJS specifically states

“That Subsidy wouldn’t be Guaranteed to keep pace with the rate of Health Care Inflation leaving

“Beneficiaries” Potentially to Face Growing Out-Of Pocket Costs”

Nursing Homes are at the least $30,000 a Year, so what happens to those Seniors in Nursing Homes?

How did the GOP arrive at that $8,000 Coupon/Voucher Figure? These Seniors paid into Medicare for more than 40 to 50 years.

Can the GOP give a specific accounting to Seniors of exactly how much Seniors pay Annually since the Medicare Implementation, the exact amount of dollars paid by all Seniors?

Can the GOP provide the exact amount of Government Bonds that the Government bought with Medicare Money Since its implementation?

Can the government provide exactly how much interest has been earned using Medicare Premiums to run the country since its implementation & Exactly how much it returned to the Medicare Account?

Medicare & Social Security might be Social Programs but we must remember that these programs have been and continue to be paid for by the American People, these are not handouts

So the question becomes how can the government now decide to take all the money paid by Seniors for these benefits for 50+years, have no accounting of interest or benefits paid by all seniors a compilation and now say you cannot have them anymore?

Medicare & Social Security Does not belong to the Government it belongs to the American people they are the Payers of the premiums these programs are not paid for by the government but by Taxpayers.

You cannot get Medicare if you have not paid into the system.

Clearly this is an issue that is not being taken seriously…………………………………

Eliminating Medicare Is Huge, and one that cannot be taken lightly, American Citizens must know the Significant Adverse Impact this will have on not only their lives but the lives of their children and families because the burden will be shifted directly to them for benefits already paid for in advance by millions of Americans since the beginning of the program, some died and never saw a dime, some only got a few years, some weren’t very sick.

That’s how Health Insurance works even in Private Health Insurance Companies, it’s “Experience” not directly what one Senior paid or used in terms of benefits.

Will Workers’ paystubs would continue to show that they were contributing to Medicare At The Same Rates

What about refunds for those under age 55 who some have paid for more than 30-40 years Including interest for that amount of years because the Government certainly got interest?

How can they reduce the debt held by the public?

Debt in this case would be Government Bonds held as Debt To The Social Security & Medicare Program, thus it's interest held.