Rand Paul wants seniors to pay more for Medicare

[cal04]

by Jed Lewison
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/9/23/904733/-KY-Sen:-Rand-Paul-wants-seniors-to-pay-more-for-Medicare

Could this be the gaffe that breaks Rand Paul?

During an interview earlier Thursday on WHAS-AM in Louisville, Paul was asked what cuts could be made to such popular programs as Medicare as the Republican spoke of the need for spending cuts across government.

"You want to have more participation by the person who's receiving the entitlement," Paul replied. "By that I mean that they need to be more involved with some sort of economic transaction every time they use their entitlement, and that means they have to bear more of the burden."

For much of the campaign, Paul has assiduously avoided saying he wants to to make any changes to Medicare for seniors. But now, in saying he believes costs should go up for each transaction involving an entitlement like Medicare, he's committed a classic Kinsley gaffe: accidentally telling the truth about what he believes. And in Rand Paul's case that truth is that even though seniors have paid Medicare taxes since the program was first created, he doesn't believe they've paid enough -- so they should now "have to bear more of the burden."

No doubt he'll try to spin this away just like he tried to spin his opposition to the Civil Rights Act. But this time Paul will be spinning with a track record of saying unpopular things and then claiming he never meant them -- and that poses a serious challenge to his credibility. Moreover, he's sure to be challenged by his opponent Jack Conway about this on October 3 when the pair debate before a national audience on Fox News Sunday -- and I wouldn't bet on Conway letting Paul getting away with it again.


Business group endorses Ky. Senate hopeful Paul
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9IDSOL81.htm

Kentucky Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul said Thursday that Medicare recipients may have to "bear more of the burden" to shore up the health program's finances as rising numbers of seniors rely on its benefits.

While accepting a business group's endorsement, the tea party-backed Paul told reporters that dealing with looming Medicare shortfalls will require a bipartisan solution, but said options could include higher premiums.

[LiberalFighter]

1. I read his response to mean that he wants senior citizens to pay a tax on the tax they paid.

[customerserviceguy]

7. We do that every time

we pay income taxes on the money that has been taxed for FICA and Medicare. It's nothing new.

[Cleita]

2. What a stupid jerk. Seniors already pay

premiums for their Medicare Part B and D. Also, although I'm over sixty-five and have Medicare, I work and have FICA taken from my check as do all other working seniors.

[napi21]

5. Not only that, but we pay co-pays too! He's an idiot! nt

[county worker]

3. For inpatient stays, you have to pay the first $1,080 or so.

The rest is covered up to a limit when you have your insurance or you yourself has to pay.

Basically what he is saying is that the part medicare pays should be less. Now we all pay into medicare so we are entitled to the benefit.

[donco]

4. There is a lot of seniors in Ky.

And we have to make sure that they see this fu.

[Dawson Leery]

6. How many in Kentucky will be willfully blind to this?

That is to say a majority in the state want to cast a vote against Obama, regardless of the consequences.

[felix_numinous]

8. Then he should have his healthcare program adjusted to reflect his beliefs nt