|
Edited on Fri Jul-22-11 08:37 PM by TomCADem
...Medicare into a voucher program.
We know this. We all accuse Republicans of doing this with plenty of quotes from Republicans that this is what they want to do. But do we believe it? Or, in our heart of hearts, do we think that Republicans are really being honest with the American people in expressing concern about the debt and deficit?
"Don't call my bluff."
President Obama was offering Republicans significant cuts in Social Security and Medicare in return for tax increases at a 1 to 4 ratio. The Grand Bargain that many liberals were pissed about. He also pushed for a "Big Deal" that dwarfed what the Republicans were asking for. You see, Republicans wanted Democrats to play the role of the tax and spend liberal, and simply oppose Republican demands to cut spending, then Republicans could grudgingly agree to something like the McConnell plan white-flag plan, which would have been hailed as a compromise and responsible governing by the Republicans.
But, President Obama raised the stakes. He put Social Security and Medicare on the table in return for tax increases, and dared the Republicans to follow through on their rhetoric about the debt. The Republicans thought he was bluffing. President Obama told Eric Cantor not to call his bluff. But they tried to, but President Obama did not back down, and even today noted that he was willing to make painful decisions about Medicare and Social Security in return for revenue increases.
Now, the Republicans don't really give a crap about the debt. They want to turn Medicare into a voucher program (Ryan plan) and Social Security into a 401(k) (Bush plan). They do not want simple benefit cuts or tax increases that would make these programs solvent. They want to end them. President Obama knows this. We simply say we know it, but we don't really believe our accusations.
Well, in the most recent meetings with Boehner, President Obama doubled down on his Grand Bargain. He talked about painful cuts to Medicare and Social Security as late as this morning. John Boehner blinked, because he knew he did not have the ability to rally his caucas to support such a plan, because they hate Medicare and Social Security. They wanted to do the cowardly thing and pass a Constitutional Amendment that would mandate such cuts.
So, this is why you have John Boehner flip flopping and saying that no deal was close, then now claiming that President Obama, not he walked away from the talks.
Now, would have President Obama have followed through and supported such cuts if Republicans suddenly agreed to the tax increases in return for cuts in entitlements. Yes, which is why it was so believable.
But, Republicans cannot swallow such a package. They also would rather hide behind a constitutional amendment, rather than cutting social security or Medicare, unless the could end it through the misdirection of an amendment. This is why Boehner is flip flopping during his news conference. He can't explain why he walked away from a deal that appeared to give Republicans what they claim they want: Deficit reduction. They don't really want that. They want to shrink government, not make it more solvent. Starving the beast or drown it in a bathtub.
|