Obama vs. House Republicans: Who will blink first?

[denem]

Here's the thing: I do not believe it makes sense to offer concessions, nor to even countenance a path towards 'entitlement' reform. House Republicans will not give an inch, a micron on raising revenue if there is any, any alternative. They can't - a primary challengers will be screaming 'No new taxes'. RW marginals have marginal policies - Call them out. It's a no brainer.

Medicare, Social Security - The Administration has a winning hand. Few programs have such deep and broad support. Paul Ryan's budget is political suicide, providing it is framed properly, -let's sell grandma and grandpa down the river to give the 1% another tax cut?

I believe both Medicare and Social Security should, over time be reformed - (hear me out). Expanding the revenue base is the first step, bar none, and capping the rise of medical expenses as a percentage of GDP is the second. Do Millionaires deserve Payroll tax concessions? Does the USA have to accept out of control medical costs spiralling towards 20% of the GDP. America is being eaten alive by 'Health'. How difficult is it, for a start, to give Medicare the means to bargain with Big Pharma , toe to toe, or open the bloated US market to imports of the same drugs that the same corporations manufacture outside the USA.

Answer: This is easy. It's common sense.

Yes, there is a real basis for reforming Social Security, Medicare, and dammit, Medicaid. If people live 8 - 10 years longer, the outlays are greater. But surely, start with 'Pole Star': Equity and Justice. This is not a time to educate, it's a time to Win.

People will go to the barricades for their 'entitlements'. The elderly have enough to deal with. Few will front for the 1% - so yes, longer term considerations must be addressed, but today, in our here and now, the unacceptable face of the KochRoaches is is all too obvious. You have talked about Transformation. Ronald Reagan pulled no punches, courted no compromise, during his 1981 inaugural. Nothing transforms the game like one touchdown after another.

If you have a winning hand, sometimes you have to go for the throat. We can oppose The Crazy without compromise. You know, there are more than a few Republicans who will thank you (in private).

[djean111]

1. Oh, I think the "blink" is a "wink" and has already happened.

The weird continuing insistence on putting Medicare and Social Security on the table makes me feel that way.
I feel that if the GOP took them off the table - they would appear right back on there, like some paranormal occurrence.
I don't think people going to the barricades accomplishes anything, any more. We'll just get tasered and tear-gassed, arrested or ignored. Maybe we need some legislation that declares people are corporations, in order to count for something.

[denem]

2. Whatever my views on 'entitlements'

what I am saying is ... Now is not the time. Now is a time to Win. The stakes are as high as they get.

[djean111]

3. Are you saying it is okay to start cutting "entitlements" (hate that word) just to score a win?

Now is not the time - to start whittling away.
Obama has stated quite firmly he is in favor of whittling away; so it is not like he would be restoring anything later.

[denem]

4. No. Just the opposite: Now is not the time to go anywhere near entitlements.

'Entitlements' vs top 1% entitlements? Now is the time to win - to drive home the crazy, without mercy.

No compromise now. They won't, why should anyone else. Sorry if I did not express myself clearly enough,

[djean111]

5. Thank you! I misinterpreted.

I am trying to brace myself for the onslaught of "well, he HAD to do it" crapola, if/when it happens. He keeps repeating that he wants to do it.
Because that will really be my line in the Democratic sand - and while I have not been here very long, or contributed much - I will miss DU. But the "Democratic" part is getting kinda compromised, for me.

[forestpath]

6. Neither. They both want to cut SS/Medicare.

They are just playing bad cop/good cop.

We're screwed either way.