Repubs lay down the gauntlet - "No Retreat on Medicare"

The Wall Street Journal has that headline in their paper this morning.

Their plan is to "starve the beast". No money, no government. No money, no Medicare. No money, no social programs at all.

Republicans are forcing Democrats to decide where they stand. Either you are with them or you are against them. At first glance, it looks like an easy choice for the Democrats. Unfortunately, populism is not in their blood anymore.

It appears to be the winning issue for the Democrats in the next election. Do they take the side of our elderly over tax breaks for corporations? Do they demand a more fair and progressive tax system? Do they stand with the majority or do they stand with the minority? This could be the best thing that has happened to the Democratic Party in a long time? It could be but will it?

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damn gop boxed us in again.

Just listen to (Bill) Clinton or Biden. Already giving away the store even before the Republicans hold the gun to their heads.

But we know how money buys politicians, don't we?

we don't stand up for liberal values around here anymore


its easier to surrender.

A quote from Armageddon the movie.

"So the president just asked us to save the world"

"Never said no to you before, not about to now."

"This is historic, deep blue hero stuff"

"Think we will get hazard pay out of this?"




Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5JkHBC5lDs

Republicans have spent 40 years educating voters not to trust government, and now they're coming around to take away Medicare. "Don't worry - we won't abandon you in your old age," they say.

They're trying to sell this message to people who weren't born yesterday. We all know people who've played by the rules and now they're just barely hanging on. What did all their loyalty and trust get them? At the rate they're going they'll end up as beggars.

Republicans really don't get it. People are frightened about what's going to happen to them in their old age, and the Republicans tell them not to worry, we've got you covered. Fat chance.

Per:

The Chicago School of Economics
Friedrich Hayek
Milton Friedman

the technique has always been to create a crisis or take advantage of an existing one (Hurricane Katrina or Gov Scott Walker's "fiscal emergency") and use it as an excuse to push the "trinity" through...

PRIVATIZATION
DEREGULATION
ELIMINATE SOCIAL SPENDING

The conservative/corporatist movement has been at this since 1947....it's running rampant and MUST BE STOPPED.

(n.b.: read Shock Doctrine by Naomi Kline.....you won't be able to sleep at night)

Right on target.

That is where we are in America. Those are the real battle lines.

Have you all really taken a look at the numbers?

http://www.fms.treas.gov/frsummary/frsummary2010.pdf

Please look at chart 7 and the increase in Medicare from 2010 to 2040. See how medicare is the main driver in increasing costs as a percent of GDP? This chart doesn't even include interest expenses!

When your Party is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

It won't. Medicare in an unsustainable health care system is also unsustainable.

You're repeating the Republican talking point that the only way to save Medicare is to take it away. Even if the Republicans could be trusted - which they can't - Ryan is radical. The point about distrusting Republicans can't be emphasized enough. Those people believe the government is doing too much for ordinary people and that it's time to cut back. But they're unwilling to consider other approaches to the problem.

We've got enormously bloated defense budgets, free rides to the rich, expensive bailouts to bankers, but the first thing the Republicans come after is Granny's doctor bills.

Ryan is an idiot to think that capping the benefit will do anything positive.

He knows the problem but his solution makes no sense except from the point of view that the governments share is known and limited. But it completely misses trying to fix the main cause which is the inefficiency of our health care system.

The US has the most private involvement in healthcare in the developed world; and it has the highest costs.

Lots of countries handle health care for citizens without going broke.

Does anyone think U.S. health system is well-designed and efficient? Take out insurance company costs and recalculate.

Funny how the Repubs haven't seen what is staring them in the face. They want to dodge the main issue

But what scares me is the Dems are a step behind that, not able to tell people that there is a problem at all.

raise taxes on those who can most afford to sacrifice.

If "Medicare is in trouble", it's all the more immoral that we're paying billions for elective extravagances we can't afford.