Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

City Lights

(25,263 posts)
Tue Feb 7, 2012, 07:20 AM Feb 2012

TPM: Are Republicans About To Commit Medicare Suicide?

Brian Beutler

February 7, 2012, 5:40 AM

It’s shaping up to be spring 2011 redux. Just under a year ago, Republicans — euphoric after a midterm election landslide, and overzealous in their interpretation of their mandate — passed a budget that called for phasing out Medicare over the coming years and replacing it with a subsidized private insurance system for newly eligible seniors.

The backlash was ugly. But Republicans seem to have forgotten how poisonous that vote really was, and remains…because they’re poised to do it again. This time they’re signaling they’ll move ahead, with a modified plan — one that, though less radical, would still fundamentally remake and roll back one of the country’s most popular and enduring safety net programs.

“We’re not backing off any of our ideas, any of our solutions,” GOP budget chairman Paul Ryan said last week in an interview with Fox.

Why on earth would Republicans put the whole party back on the line? Particularly after a year of serial brinkmanship and overreach that has dragged their popularity down to record lows?

Read the entire piece at TPM.com

25 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
TPM: Are Republicans About To Commit Medicare Suicide? (Original Post) City Lights Feb 2012 OP
I support the Republicans fully... rfranklin Feb 2012 #1
I do, too. City Lights Feb 2012 #2
when your enemy is drowning, throw them an anchor. rurallib Feb 2012 #3
Quick someone help me pick up the anchor and give it to Ryan. On the other hand I sure hope the southernyankeebelle Feb 2012 #4
go for and see what happens! madrchsod Feb 2012 #5
That is a rerun I'd like to see n/t Vapor Trails Feb 2012 #6
President Romney can't wait. Skink Feb 2012 #7
Wait wait, I thought Newt said he was president... And Herman Cain in his book too... Fearless Feb 2012 #18
The definition of insanity is Thav Feb 2012 #8
....is voting Republican Bruce Wayne Feb 2012 #16
Gluttons for punishment. CAPHAVOC Feb 2012 #9
K&R (n/t) a2liberal Feb 2012 #10
I don't understand what is going on they all have that deer in the headlights look. demgrrrll Feb 2012 #11
Huge blunder Johnny2X2X Feb 2012 #12
I sure hope so. Lugnut Feb 2012 #13
The real base of the GOP Alcibiades Feb 2012 #14
Republicans are also notoriously unconcerned about anybody but themselves. eyewall Feb 2012 #23
I'll help them along. DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! TxVietVet Feb 2012 #15
This must be what watching a supernova is like... Fearless Feb 2012 #17
I loved the poster......... Historic NY Feb 2012 #19
"This time... it's personal." Beartracks Feb 2012 #22
Great poster! eyewall Feb 2012 #24
Me too! City Lights Feb 2012 #25
So, if they ARE going to kil Medicare in favor of privatization dixiegrrrrl Feb 2012 #20
What was that definition of insanity? sellitman Feb 2012 #21
 

southernyankeebelle

(11,304 posts)
4. Quick someone help me pick up the anchor and give it to Ryan. On the other hand I sure hope the
Tue Feb 7, 2012, 07:35 AM
Feb 2012

democrats don't cave especially Obama. That am afraid of.

madrchsod

(58,162 posts)
5. go for and see what happens!
Tue Feb 7, 2012, 07:44 AM
Feb 2012

democratic guys and gals like me on medicare and social security would love to have that talking point this year. it does`t matter if one is a dem or a rep- you don`t fuck with our medicare or security!

Thav

(948 posts)
8. The definition of insanity is
Tue Feb 7, 2012, 12:27 PM
Feb 2012

to do the same thing again, but expect different results.

(Didn't they use that line on Obama?)

Johnny2X2X

(21,719 posts)
12. Huge blunder
Tue Feb 7, 2012, 04:35 PM
Feb 2012

I think there was a massive miscalculation on the part of the whole GOP. It's pretty simple, they put all their eggs in one basket, the economy. Since the economy is coming around nicely they don't have anything to talk about.

Now is not the time to re-brand or brainstorm. Their plan is totally shot and you will see a totally desperate Republican party in the coming months before they just try to do damage control.

Alcibiades

(5,061 posts)
14. The real base of the GOP
Tue Feb 7, 2012, 06:38 PM
Feb 2012

is:

1. rich

2. white

3. old

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/11/03/forget-the-tea-party-republicans-won-because-of-older-voters.html

Folks blather a lot about the 2010 elections, but it was the high water mark for a group I call the "George Wallace voters," older conservatives. Like Wallace, they hate big government, and yet, much like other older voters, they love Medicare and Social Security.

Most of these folks have not voted Democratic since Reagan. To the extent that this crowd is demobilized by this, the stronger our winning coalition will be. 2010 was the last hurrah of the old white conservative, who are all going the way of Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond, despite all the hated gubberment money that is being spent on their health care.

eyewall

(674 posts)
23. Republicans are also notoriously unconcerned about anybody but themselves.
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 03:25 AM
Feb 2012

The trick for the GOP is to say "except for those currently on or about to begin receiving" and then most of their base is covered.

TxVietVet

(1,905 posts)
15. I'll help them along. DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!
Tue Feb 7, 2012, 07:18 PM
Feb 2012

conservanazis are hateful. I just love it when they do something as stupid as this. I'll help them pull the trigger.

Fearless

(18,458 posts)
17. This must be what watching a supernova is like...
Tue Feb 7, 2012, 08:02 PM
Feb 2012

So blinding and so explosive and unrestrained, and yet you're so unable to peel your eyes away from the death of a multi-billion year old object.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,011 posts)
20. So, if they ARE going to kil Medicare in favor of privatization
Tue Feb 7, 2012, 10:52 PM
Feb 2012

I guess I should not sign up for it then.
Once you sign up, you cannot un-sign, and I will be damned if I will have my monthly premium being hijacked into some for profit private care plan.
Plus they are free to jack up the monthly premium all they want if they get their way.

Latest Discussions»Editorials & Other Articles»TPM: Are Republicans Abo...