Dems Laugh Off GOP Demand That They Make First Move On Medicare Benefit Cuts

[kpete]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Dems Laugh Off GOP Demand That They Make First Move On Medicare Benefit Cuts


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The problem is, unlike the Democrats’ calls for higher taxes on rich Americans, the GOP’s preferred Medicare cuts are deeply unpopular. So they’re trying to cow Democrats into proposing these cuts first — to effectively author both sides of the proposal — and provide them political cover.

“We’ve come down with ours. We’re still waiting for theirs. That’s the status of the negotiations,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in the Capitol Thursday, laughing off the GOP’s demand.

Though the expiration of the Bush tax cuts provides Democrats enough leverage to ignore the GOP’s demand for Medicare cuts altogether, conversations with Senate Democratic aides reveal Democrats will accede to some modest spending reductions up front, so that Republicans will agree to simultaneously increase the debt ceiling and avoid another economically damaging standoff early next year.

Complicating matters for the GOP is the paradox that it’s easier, both politically and legislatively, to realize savings in Medicare by making the program more robust. Democrats are prepared push those sorts of reforms in 2013 when the two sides set about seeking a broader package of entitlement and tax reforms. In contrast, the Republican aim in these budget negotiations is to forge ahead with proposals designed to weaken the program, not to reduce spending on Medicare per se.


Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/11/dems-laugh-off-gop-demand-that-they-make-first-move-on-medicare-benefit-cuts.php?ref=fpblg

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[Lisa D]

1. Republicans are such cowards.

They don't even have the courage of their convictions. If they really think "entitlements" should be cut, let's see what they're actually proposing. Pretty certain that the majority of the U.S. populace would reject them soundly--and they know it.

[Kablooie]

24. They aren't use to devising proposals. Democrats have always made their proposals for them before.

Republicans would say they want cuts and Democrats would propose the cuts and present them.
They Republicans then say no and the Democrats go back and work up more cuts.

That's the way it's worked in the past.

Now finally the Democrats are telling the GOP to come back with their own proposal with no help from the Democrats.
The Republicans are at a loss.
They haven't had to do this for many years.

[humbled_opinion]

44. They already did

It is the highly unpopular Ryan Budget proposal, shot down by the Senate.

[Fearless]

2. I would laugh too. We're not cutting Medicare

Especially not suggesting it for them.

Idiots.

[Berlum]

3. "Put up or shut up." - Americans to RepubliCONS (R - 1%)

[Aerows]

4. If they have the guts to propose cuts to Medicare

Then they need to step up to the plate, identify who they are, what party they are with and what they propose to cut. Democrats don't want cuts to Medicare, so if Republicans do, it's up to them to point out what those cuts will be.

And then we can laugh all the way to the voting booth in 2014 and get back control of the House.

[CTyankee]

16. It would be great but with redistricting, most of these House seats are in the reddest of the

red parts of their states, which is why they always win in them and was the ulterior motive all along. Unless we can get a majority in those districts to vote Dem we have little chance of picking up those seats. But I guess the if Republicans go too far on the Medicare issue there could be some changes.

[John2]

5. I also

suggest, it would be beneficial for our side to force the media, to do their jobs and force the GOP to get specific on Medicare cuts and changes to Social Security. The Media has been throwing Republicans softball questions, thus providing them cover.

[phantom power]

6. I would like to see more of this laughing at republicans

[frylock]

7. this should have been the approach two years ago..

you don't negotiate with terrorists.

[Ikonoklast]

29. Lesson Learned.

When your negotiating adversary is not being rational in either their demands or responses, one must push away from the table, tell them that this session is now over, and please do not contact us until you are actually ready to be serious.

[cosmicone]

9. I'm liking this new democratic party

with a titanium spine and brass balls.

[louis-t]

10. I'm sorry, but......

fuck boner, fuck McConnel, fuck Cantor, fuck Collins, fuck McCain, fuck Ryan, well, you get the idea.

[librechik]

11. you can't negotiate with terrorists

Reid is giving them too much credit. Kick them in the bizzingle.

[Mrs. Ted Nancy]

39. JFK's quote is apt

[Faryn Balyncd]

12. THe GOP absolutely NEEDS Democrats to take the blame, just like they did with the...

...private insurance mandate.

The only way they can maintain the support of their clueless base is to con Democrats into passing Republican policy, so that when the shit hits the fan, Democrats get the blame and Republicans can deny responsibility.

[area51]

26. +1 n/t

[Fresh_Start]

13. The Democrats can offer up cutting medicare for families with $2 million in assets or

more than $50K interest per year....

[Myrina]

15. Oooh, I LIKE this idea!!

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

19. I don't have any issues at all with means testing

Just set the threshold for them very, very high.

[sheshe2]

20. Now that's a Plan!

Let's make Boner Cry!

[robinlynne]

21. I WISH!

[Liberalynn]

23. I like this too

[Walk away]

28. A lot of people here in the expensive North East retire on their investment income.

My Dads little house in a middle class neighborhood is taxed at about $19,000 a year. Add that to another four or five thousand in supplemental health insurance and a few thousand more for car insurance and $50,000 and S.S. is just enough to live a decent life. So you would like him to have his Medicare cut? He worked all of his life to save that money, grew a business and put two kids through college. Why would you want to punish him for it?

[ut oh]

34. It was simply a number thrown out for making the point

at least that's how I interpreted it. Maybe it would need to be a higher number, but it's a sound proposal.

Why make such a personal attack, without clarifying first?

[Walk away]

38. When someone says that someone like my Dad....

who worked hard all of his life to have a decent and safe retirement needs to have his benefits cut because he makes enough money to do so with investments of his hard earned savings, I think it's bunk. If you want to raise his tax rates that is one thing. Fucking with his health care really is punishing people for working and saving for retirement.

Do you think that's persona? Well maybe it is.

[IdaBriggs]

41. I think that is exactly the point --

Health care is VERY personal. One "bad problem" and your dad has nothing, which turns into a death sentence if he has another problem before a re-enrollment.

It is a stupid idea, but wouldn't it be lovely to discuss it so EVERYONE could see how dumb it is? Picture the Republicans having to fight AGAINST it....

[ThoughtCriminal]

14. Here's how I'd play it

NO.

Your turn.

[Gman]

17. So while everyone focuses on tax cuts, Soc Sec and Medicare

where's Defense cuts at? My guess is that Defense is silently making it's way to survive unscathed.

[Blasphemer]

32. Indeed... they seem to always manage to ignore the big elephant in the room... nt

[elleng]

18. LOVE THIS!

'Complicating matters for the GOP is the paradox that it’s easier, both politically and legislatively, to realize savings in Medicare by making the program more robust.'

[trouble.smith]

22. we're going over that cliff.

[Skittles]

25. YEE HAW!

[geckosfeet]

27. Stand your ground dems. Let's see what they've got.

[Historic NY]

30. I find it amusing Boner & Cantor can't lead, want Democrats...

to come up with plan so they can say "No". It seems thats the only thing they Know (NO) 7 the only plan they have.

[Uncle Joe]

31. Good, the Republican Party is a tragic comedy of sorts.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[JackHughes]

33. Republicans don't make policy. Republicans only make propaganda.

The Republicans will whine but they will never offer specific cuts. Why? Because that would be actual policy.

Republicans don't make policy. Republicans only make propaganda.

[ut oh]

35. and after the GOP makes their offer

offer that the gov't can negociate drug prices again. That alone will save much $$$.

[blackspade]

36. Suck it Rethugs!

It looks like bullying days are over!

So sad.

[Bluegene]

37. Really how freakin stupid do they think we are?

It's like saying pull my finger to an adult.

Or saying let's just walk off this job, you first.

[Thinkingabout]

40. Medicare should follow the VA policy on pharmacy, get rid of Bush contributions to Big Pharma.

This would reduce the cost, require a provider to be approved before any claims are paid. Have more fraud auditors to catch the rip offs. I think when ACA is totally in place cost of health care will go down, we can not allow cuts because the GOP will take credit and say they cut Medicare so the cost is down because of their cuts.

[zbdent]

42. the problem is that there is still the mythical "liberally-biased media" which

will allow the losers to sit there and act like they're in charge ...

[JohnnyRingo]

43. They've been doing this for a few years.

They used different words, but they implied that Obama should be the one who cuts so called entitlement programs.

How many times have Boehner and McConnell said: "The president is failing to lead on this"? It's usually when they're discussing cuts to Social Security or Medicare. They want to put the president's fingerprints all over misery and the plight of retirees.

They'll do it themselves if they have to, but they'd rather have someone to blame.

[yurbud]

45. I would be happier if they laughed off making any move toward cutting benefits