House Republicans face backlash at home over budget plan

[cal04]

The lawmakers, back in their districts during the Congress recess, are confronted with tough questions from constituents about the GOP proposal that would turn Medicare into a voucher system and reduce taxes for the wealthy.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-congress-recess-20110424,0,950957,full.story


Standing in a brightly lit bingo hall off a wooded road, a space that doubles as the dining room for Danny's Friday night fish fry, Republican Rep. Charles Bass should have felt a long way from the pressure-cooker of budget politics in Washington.

But as he opened a town hall meeting here last week, it was clear the pressure had followed him to American Legion Post No. 59.

What is his rationale for wanting to change Medicare to a voucher system, questioners demanded to know. How is this going to lower premiums? If the idea is to cut the deficit, why does the Republican budget plan offer tax breaks for the wealthy?

(snip)
"I don't trust these guys," said Barbara Walden, 77. Once Republicans begin "stripping away" Medicare and Medicaid benefits for the younger generation, she said, they will eventually renege on their promise to protect the program for current seniors.

[CatWoman]

1. ahhh

so NOW the press is noticing this.

Did you see the excellent report on this by Rachel Maddow last night?

[Jack Rabbit]

2. !!

:popcorn:

[Old and In the Way]

3. Republicans like cuts/

Tax cuts for the rich, Medicare/Social Security cuts for the rest of us.

[donco]

4. They can’t get into their head

that Americans can think more than ten years down the road.