GOP majority leader backs plan to slash Social Security, Medicare

[somone]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/01/gop-majority-leader-backs-plan-slash-social-security-medicare/

GOP majority leader backs plan to slash Social Security, Medicare
By Sahil Kapur

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) on Sunday threw a measure of support behind a key Republican lawmaker's plan to dramatically cut Social Security and Medicare. The plan, called "A Roadmap for America's Future," was created by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), the new chairman of the budget committee, who promoted it last year as a means to cut the national debt.

"The direction the roadmap goes is something we need to embrace," Cantor said on NBC's "Meet the Press," praising the plan's capacity for deficit reduction. The roadmap would partially privatize Social Security benefits and turn Medicare into a voucher program, effectively ending two monumental welfare programs in the United States. Cantor's remarks earned an immediate rebuke from Democrats.

"House Republican Leader Eric Cantor and House Republicans are now 'full speed ahead' on a devastating plan that would privatize Social Security and eliminate Medicare that American seniors earned," said Jesse Ferguson, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "House Republicans are doubling down on plans to gamble Social Security in the stock market and eliminating Medicare."

In the run-up to the November midterm elections, Republican leaders declined to champion the specifics of the plan, treading carefully around the issue of slashing cherished entitlement programs. But Cantor's comments Sunday, and the GOP's appointment of Ryan to chair the budget committee, suggest that Republicans may embrace such a proposal in the 112th Congress, where their control of the House gives them considerable clout to set the terms of the debate. In another sign that this may be the case, GOP leaders have tapped Ryan to deliver the Republican rebuttal to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address this month.

[eleny]

1. Too bad he wasn't talking big like this before the election

It sounds like a road map to hell.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. I sense a bipartisan hostage-taking event in March

When we need to increase the debt ceiling.

Obama's hands will be tied... oh no...

[Enthusiast]

9. Yes, if Obama doesn't "go along"

the Republicans won't vote to increase the debt ceiling, lol.

[deacon]

3. More like "A Roadmap for America's Demise-Part II" n/t

[DCKit]

4. The SO asked me to do some research on Eric Cantor earlier this evening....

what I found was anathema to anything anyone on this board could possibly support. Seriously.

He's against everything we could ever want for this country and our fellow citizens.

[jillan]

5. I watched him on MTP this morning. He would not answer any questions, and of course Gregory just

let Cantor walk all over him.

[GrantDem]

6. Look for Obama to agree with him on Tuesday...

All bipartisan like.

:eyes:

[pinto]

7. I think Obama is more in tune with this comment than the Repub "plan" -

"House Republican Leader Eric Cantor and House Republicans are now 'full speed ahead' on a devastating plan that would privatize Social Security and eliminate Medicare that American seniors earned," said Jesse Ferguson, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "House Republicans are doubling down on plans to gamble Social Security in the stock market and eliminating Medicare."

[pinto]

8. No legs past the House, imho. They can rant and rave, but it ain't going to happen.

:hi: