Ed Rendell, now of 'Fix The Debt,' hawking raising the Medicare eligibility age--with 'carve outs'

[flpoljunkie]

Bear in mind, raising the age for Medicare does nothing to control the cost of healthcare--it just shifts the burden.

The Cycle is giving him a platform today to sell the 'Fix the Debt' agenda. Rendell focuses on raising the Medicare eligibility age--rather than reducing the exorbitant costs in our healthcare system. Steve Kornacki is not buying it. S.E. Cupp loves it! Toure is silent--for some reason, altho he does not look happy about the discussion.

'Fix the Debt' is one of Peter G. Peterson foundation creations. Pete Peterson was the founder of the private equity firm, the Blackstone Group.

http://www.fixthedebt.org/who-we-are

Must read from Dave Weigel:

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2012/12/why_has_pete_peterson_s_expensive_campaign_against_the_deficit_failed_after.single.html

[samsingh]

1. kick

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

2. I think we should cut every Republican's pension and throw this dickhead's in there too for good

measure. that would help with our debt problems.

[BeyondGeography]

3. Gubmint's been good to Eddie, though

So easy to throw others under the bus when you've got a good seat.

[SugarShack]

4. This needs to get loud!!! Rendall is a shill for the corporations.

[flpoljunkie]

7. Did you recommend this post?

[jenmito]

5. Steve Kornaki was giving him a hard time. Toure' and Krystal didn't seem to be buying it, either.

[flpoljunkie]

6. I missed any Toure comments, but loved his expression!

[jenmito]

9. Maybe it was just his expressions, but I think he made some comments, too. n/t

[Cosmocat]

10. Third way bullshit

and you have to give them credit for going at him, he is a fairly imposing person and he was trying to control the discussoin.

He was OK as our governor, but he absolutely is all in on this third way type of crape right now for some reason.

[jenmito]

11. I know. That's why I hate that he's on MSNBC every day. n/t

[flpoljunkie]

12. Did you notice if Rendell disclosed he is a co-chair of 'Fix the Debt?'

[jenmito]

15. I know he mentioned it before-that's how I knew about it-but I don't remember if he disclosed it

today.

[flpoljunkie]

18. Video indicates Rendell didn't disclose he's Fix-the-Debt co-chair; he was not identified as such.

I have a feeling Steve Kornacki will see that he discloses Rendell as a co-chair of Pete Peterson's Fix the Debt and he will be identified as such on the screen, as well.

[jenmito]

19. He was on MSNBC again TODAY and he didn't disclose it. He DID mention that he was on

The Cycle yesterday and mentioned that the Medicare age should be raised and the three progressives acted as if he just said something terrible (I forget his exact words). I think it was Hardball tonight with guest host Smerconish.

[flpoljunkie]

20. I saw that! Rendell said the three progressives acted as if what he said was 'treasonous!'

'Treasonous'! Really, Ed? What a jerk he is!

[jenmito]

21. Thanks! Yup-that was the word. At least I remembered that it started with a "t"!

I HATE that he's on every single day spouting that BS!

[flpoljunkie]

22. Had to think a bit before the word came back to me, as well.

Rendell, the shill, was obviously feeling very defensive to use the word 'treasonous.' MSNBC is derelict not to identify Rendell as a Co-Chair for the former Blackstone private equity fund founder Pete Peterson's 'Fix the Debt'--particularly with the debt ceiling showdown rapidly approaching.

[DonCoquixote]

8. hey

the next time someone says "why didn't ya vote for Hillary in 2008?", we can say that this was the sort that she surrounded herself with.

[flpoljunkie]

13. Here's a link to the video. Medicare discussion begins about 6:15 into the segment.

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/the-cycle/50356515

[forestpath]

14. He always comes across as a sleazy used car salesman to me.

[LiberalFighter]

16. I would support the proposal provided

all those geezers that love it be required to work until they are 85 and not be eligible for Medicare until then either.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

17. Do the people supporting raise in age eligibility

Have any suggestions for what older people are supposed to do in terms of income/healthcare while they wait longer to be able to start collecting the benefits they have been paying into for most of their working lives? It seems to me like they are basically declaring that people should be busting their butts until they're nearly 70, which is neither particularly healthy much less realistic. Do they some plan for ensuring a livable wage, healthcare and a comfy non-manual labor job while they're waiting (though if they did that, why not just go ahead and give them their benefits)? Any discussion of raising eligibility age needs to include these kind of concerns. Otherwise they are nothing but farce IMHO.

[DebJ]

23. Raising the medicare age would literally kill my husband if it were to be immediately implemented..

At age 62 and 9 months, as of yesterday, he was forced to retire due to mounting health issues.
Our health insurance for the next 18 months will take 30% of his pension + social security payments.
We will just be scraping by....we hope we can scrape by.....

When Cobra expires in 18 months, it will go even higher....so likely, I will have to forgo having any
health insurance for almost a full year until he reaches Medicare age, unless I can myself get a job...
IF his health issues will allow me to work, IF anyone will hire someone approaching 60 with her own
health issues (that make many jobs almost impossible except for short spans). But he HAS to keep
medical insurance, even if we lose all else. Kidney disease (just short of dialysis), diabetes, wounds
not healing, blood pressure, etc....

If the Medicare age is raised even just another year or two, we would be almost guaranteed to be
homeless. We are praying we will make it as it is....

Although I doubt they would raise the age on people that are 62 already what would raising the age
do to my sisters? Two of them have genetic issues that are slowly crippling them; even working full-time
now while they can, the medical bills are crushing them. When they can no longer work, I guess they
are just supposed to shut up and die after having paid into the system for 40 years. SO WE CAN AFFORD
MORE FRIGGIN NAVY BOATS AND BOMBS.

[flpoljunkie]

24. What a rotten shame! Cobra is so expensive--but probably less than catastrophic coverage--if it's

available in your state. If not, perhaps Obamacare will provide more affordable health care insurance when it goes into effect in 2014.

It is outrageous that this country fails to provide healthcare to its citizens--and even more so for those who have worked hard their entire lives and are unable to continue working--and not yet eligible for Medicare. And, now the Republican sons of bitches want to raise the Medicare eligibility age. I do not think President Obama will agree. It does not save healthcare costs, it just shifts them to the people.

I am so sorry you are in such an untenable position.