Charles P. Pierce: Paul Ryan's Medicare Plan Hinges on American Stupidity. Prove Him Wrong.

[babylonsister]

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a51081/paul-ryan-medicare/

Paul Ryan's Medicare Plan Hinges on American Stupidity. Prove Him Wrong.

The elderly are depending on you.
By Charles P. Pierce
Nov 29, 2016


While I believe, with Lemieux, that obstruction somewhere can be obstruction everywhere, I also believe that the attempts by the Republican majority in the Congress to dismantle Medicare and replace it with a half-filled bowl of sour porridge is both the most important issue on which to stand against what's coming and the most politically potent one, as well.

You may recall that C-Plus Augustus—having been re-elected by a margin of 35 electoral votes in 2004, and I didn't remember that it had been that close—decided that he had accrued enough "political capital" to monkey around with Social Security. That attempt got body-slammed and its defeat started the downward spiral of his approval ratings from which he never recovered fully.

This same thing should happen as regards any attempt by Speaker Paul Ryan, the zombie-eyed granny starver from the state of Wisconsin, to enact his golden dream of demolishing safety-net programs that he believes make old people with Medicare less "free" than old people who slowly waste away in darkened apartments. His idea is to set up a program with criminally inadequate vouchers, slap the name "Medicare" on it, and hope that people are as stupid as he thinks they are. There is every indication that HHS nominee Rep. Tom Price is more than willing to play Johnny Hooker to Ryan's Henry Gondorff.

(Yes, I know that the president-elect promised to protect Medicare during the campaign. I believe I heard that clearly, anyway, over the call of the snow-white unicorns.)

For progressives of any stripe, Medicare has to be a bright, hot line. One of the great triumphs of progressive government in the 20th century was its virtual elimination of hopeless poverty among the elderly. Because of Medicare, and Social Security before that, old people were freed up to have the opportunity to consider their quality of life, rather than living from one can of catfood to another. And there was no more shame in them than there was in young Paul Ryan when he was living off Social Security survivor benefits after the death of his father. (You're welcome, by the way.) There can be no backsliding on this one, no attempts to "work across the aisle," no appeals to "civility" or "bipartisanship." Loyalty to Medicare has to be a defining characteristic of a Democratic politician and any Democratic politician who doesn't like it deserves to be primaried out of office.

There was a ray of hope on Tuesday that seemed to indicate that the Democratic caucus is coming to this realization as well. Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana, who's not anyone's idea of a progressive firebrand, came out and said he would not be voting for Price's confirmation specifically because of Price's record on Medicare.

"Tom Price has led the charge to privatize Medicare, and for this reason, I cannot support his nomination. I am ready to work with anyone who wants to improve access to quality health care for Hoosier families and seniors, but the nomination of Tom Price would put us on a direct path to end Medicare as we know it, which would raise health care costs and break a fundamental promise to seniors. I have fought to protect Medicare, and I will continue to oppose efforts to privatize Medicare or turn it into a voucher program." Last week Donnelly reiterated his commitment to Medicare and his opposition to privatizing Medicare, saying in part in a video message, "Let me say unequivocally to you now: I have fought to protect Medicare for this generation and for future generations. I have opposed efforts to privatize Medicare in the past, and I will oppose any effort to privatize Medicare or turn it into a voucher program in the future. If my colleagues have pragmatic ideas that strengthen Medicare, reduce the costs of care, crack down on waste, fraud and abuse, count me in, but if they want to phase out Medicare, or privatize the system, count me out."

Nobody has a mandate to bring about this kind of destructive change. Not a president-elect with two million fewer votes than the person he ran against, and certainly not some guy who represents 230,000 people in the First Congressional District in Wisconsin. This is the gurney on which to ride to glory.

[jodymarie aimee]

1. thank you for posting this

Genius man. Charlie is the real deal....

[lindysalsagal]

2. Why do the repugs think they'll survive this? As soon as granny is refused her meds

their con is revealed.

No one's going to say,

"Well, ok. If Donald wants me to die in pain, then it's the best thing for me."

That's not happening.

[Hoyt]

5. I get what you are saying, but up until 2005 Medicare didn't even cover Granny's meds unless

it could only be injected. george war bush did two things worthwhile in his 8 years, and one was sign the Medicare Part D that began paying for most drugs. Yes, that legislation has flaws, but it greatly improved Medicare in an era when a drug can cure a disease and, at the same time, save a lot of money in hospital and rehab costs.

If Democrats hold the line, GOPers won't be able hurt Medicare. And as crazy as it sounds, I think they might even be able to improve some things in their idiocy. Truthfully, the program has been privatized since inception, and particularly since 1998 with the enactment of Medicare Advantage Plans and a lot of Medicare beneficiaries prefer them to traditional Medicare.

I'd much rather Clinton be leading the change, but I'm going to think positive. What I have seen so far from Ryan is suspect, but it is not abolishing Medicare. GOPers recognized change was necessary under Obama, they just were not going to give him the satisfaction of signing it.

Trying to be positive and not an automatic obstructionists like GOPers have been for the last 8 years.

[lindysalsagal]

6. I would bet my car that people will be far worse off on many fronts.

Because the GOP ruling class thinks it deserves all the breaks and the rest of us are just the lowly unwashed.

The truth will sink in too late to do any good, just as it did with shrub.

They'll just say, "Well, he turned out to be like every other politician."

[Hoyt]

8. It would be foolish to argue considering GOPers. All I can tell you is the seniors were going

without oral medications, or cutting pills in half or thirds to afford them. Part D Medicare saved a lot of seniors from pain and death, and it was passed by a GOPer Congress and Prez. Maybe they were so giddy over killing innocent Iraqis that they goofed up, I don't know. I do believe, if Democrats handle it right, they have a chance to get some positive things through if GOPers start messing with Medicare, Medicaid and ACA.

[Hamlette]

9. The reason Medicare Advantage works is the feds fund it

but the deductibles would be impossible for the poor or many middle class families.

98% of the health care costs you will incur in your life you will incur in the last 2 years of your life. 95% in the last 5 years. Insurance for people of a certain age is so expensive I do not see how you could afford it or who would provide it AND if you got rid of the ACA too, would it cover preexisting conditions or have life time caps?

If they propose a plan, I"ll look at it and compare it to my situation as well as that of my parents and parents-in-law. Three of them died pretty quick and relatively inexpensive deaths. My father, on the other hand, took six years and his illness would have bankrupted all of us, children included. I'd rather have paid into a system knowing three of the four were "cheated" but all four were cared for than anything I've seen proposed so far.

It is insurance. It is to cover catastrophic loss. If you are rich and healthy it might be a good deal. But god forbid you go the way my father did. He would have died a pauper and so would all the rest of us.

P. S. My mother loved Medicare when my father was ill. They had supplemental insurance from my father's work but it paid for next to nothing and getting them to pay what they were required to pay was demeaning and difficult. I will have no clout with a private carrier. I can't threaten to vote someone out of office if they don't pay up.

[Hoyt]

24. I had a Medicare Advantage Plan before I got a job with good benefits, never touched a deductible.

Not to mention there was a cap on out-of-pocket costs that traditional Medicare does not have. Try paying the 20% co-insurance under traditional Medicare without a good/expensive supplemental policy for a serious disease requiring hospitalization.

[pangaia]

21. Of course that's what they will say.

And the bastards know it.

[mcar]

3. Pierce is, as always, right on

Thanks.

[melody]

4. That's kind of his point

It won't happen, but for the reasons Pierce calls for in his piece. It's a rallying cry that must and will be heard.

[loyalsister]

7. The damage it would do to republicans

It's the loyal Gen X constituency whose parents are beginning to feel their age. They are the ones on the hook unless they are cold hearted enough to abandon their parents.

[duffyduff]

13. They mess with Medicare, SS, the VA, national parks, to name but a few,

the party is fucked for good.

[pangaia]

22. I am sorry to disagerr.

At this point, too many no info stupids will just go along with it and figure. "well, we should all be strong enough to take care of ourselves."

"I don't want THEM getting any of MY money," never realizing that THEIR money is about to get stolen from right under their noses.....and mine also..

[colsohlibgal]

10. We'll See

The old adage about never underestimating the stupidity of the American people will be tested.

I am not optimistic about the road ahead. If somehow the ongoing audit flips the election to Hillary Civil War might well follow and if this jerk is installed millions, including me, will never accept him or give him any quarter.

[SHRED]

11. Older people voted for him

Maybe they need to feel it?

He won the older demographic.

[BigDemVoter]

12. We can't EVER underestimate the STUPIDITY of the American public.

And YES, they have already proven it again and again and again.

[duffyduff]

14. They won't get away with this. There are major organizations ready to shoot this shit down. n/t

[leftofcool]

16. With what?

A loud outcry maybe? Please!

[duffyduff]

17. What is your point? Do you think the GOP will actually do this?

You have a lot to learn about politics.

There is NO mandate to make drastic change. This harebrained scheme is DOA.

[pangaia]

23. YES I DO .. And too many fake dems will go along with it..

[SMC22307]

31. Do you have the slightest clue about how the NC GOP...

slashed and burned its way through North Carolina when it seized power? They don't give a flying fuck about "mandates." Republicans have been gunning for SS and Medicare for decades, and now that they control all three branches of government, well, brace yourself. There aren't enough Moral Mondays in the world to stop these fuckers. Every Democratic member of congress better join Sanders in fighting Republicans on this. Hopefully any remaining "sane" Republicans will do the right thing.

[ThoughtCriminal]

20. Ding! Ding! Ding!

Winning stupid votes turns out to be way easier.

[djsunyc]

15. so...

WHERE ARE THE DEMS?

someone i know mentioned that the dems should be out there 24/7 telling the public what the gop and what price want to do with obamacare and how that will negatively effect them.

where is the PR attack from our side? come on dems...let's go.

[duffyduff]

18. It is holiday break. This shit will be shot down in short order.

The GOP isn't going to be all onboard on it, either.

Ryan is putting up a trial balloon. It ain't going anywhere.

[n2doc]

19. My prediction on how they are going to try it

They will tie everything to their 'repeal and replace' Obamacare crap. Doesn't matter that the ACA doesn't involve traditional medicare. They will obfuscate as much as they can so that Joe sixpack doesn't know that they are screwing him. He will be told that it was that nasty kenyan marxist and his henchmen in congress who took their health care away. And a lot will believe the lie.


I also think they will do the usual trick of not screwing current recipients, but those under 56 or so. That way the old farts who have been keeping them afloat will be none the wiser. And the real shit won't hit the fan until after 2020.

Democrats will need to yell long, hard and repeatedly in order to get the truth out.

[aggiesal]

26. They will bury it in a budget bill ...

where it will pass in the house,
and can't be filibustered in the senate (against the rules).

Then Petulant and Chief McCheetohead will sign it into law.

[world wide wally]

25. Prepare for the worst!

Republicans are fucking evil.

[Hekate]

27. KnR

[Tetunot]

28. My First Post

Hello fellow DU's - been a long time lurker then after the hack became a member. The MCR & MCD privatization scares me the most. My mom was diagnosed w/cancer we live in NYC, her total bill for treatment was over $500,000.

One of the medications given to her during chemo was over $7,000.00. Which was injected twice. Thank God she had MCR which covered most of the bill.

My mom was fortunate; what about all the people who don't have MCR or any kind of insurance. There is no "voucher" that the GOP has which would have covered chemo, radiation etc...

[SMC22307]

30. Welcome to DU, Tetunot.

How's your mother doing now?

[wryter2000]

32. Welcome to DU

[SMC22307]

29. EVERY Dem in Congress better join Bernie...

in fighting these Republican "privatize everything" bastards.

[wryter2000]

33. I'll be on the phone with my Senators

Kamala Harris, yay

[SMC22307]

34. Lucky you!

I can't get too excited about Kaine or Warner, but at least they're Dems.

[wryter2000]

35. I know I'm blessed

I even have Barbara Lee in the House. When I think I can't stand this country any longer, I realize I could never leave Oakland.