Comments on: Early Warning: Ryan Medicare Plan Imperils Battleground Republicans

By: kentmueller

kentmueller — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 05:33:00 +0000

The House GOP votes on Paul Ryan’s budget is a tremendous cudgel to hammer every GOP incumbent but only if Democrats have the gumption to use it. His Medicare/Social Security proposals should wedge the elderly vote but only if the Democrats use it. Not everyone lacks empathy, some people care about future generations and not everyone wants to pull the ladder up behind them. The Obama team has shown an incredible capacity to pivot as needed, have a rapid-response ability second to none (in history), same with their GOTV ability. Here’s the caveat — right now they seem to be defaulting to classic Democratic Party poo-pooing of GOP attacks, in this case the Romney side not being countered on the “716 billion cut” to Medicare.
The Democratic response should be: “Obama is indeed cutting over 710 billion in expenses from Medicare. Not one cent of that savings comes out of the pocket of any beneficiary, not now and not in the future. Over 500 billion of that savings, over [...] years, is coming out of Medicare Advantage programs, pirvate insurance plans that now have a guaranteed profit margin funded by Medicare. In return, the insurance companies tap a pool of 30 million currently uninsured Americans who spread the risk and lower the cost of healthcare for all Americans. The rest of the savings comes from lowered payments to hospitals. What do they get in return? The immense costs of care to the indingent are now covered by the new program. This trermendous cost, often amounting to tens of millions of dollars for each hospital — a cost that has caused inner city hospitals to close just where they are most needed — is now guaranteed by the federal governemt. All of these points are win-win situations and the end result is the life of Medicare is extended ten years.

By: helzapoppn

helzapoppn — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:17:00 +0000

Shorter 2010: Republicans, energized by the Tea Party and stoked by fear, turned out their base. Democrats, absurdly disappointed that simply electing Barack Obama didn’t solve all our problems, stayed home in droves to “send a message.”

As James himself said back then, “staying home didn’t send a message; it sent Republicans” — to Capitol Hill, governor’s mansions and state legislatures.

By: helzapoppn

helzapoppn — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:11:00 +0000

At least he knows the GOP’s ultimate straw-boss is “Turd Blossom” Rove, not the empty suit at the top of the ticket.

By: kennethranson

kennethranson — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:46:00 +0000

Does the foam around your mouth ever get on the keyboard?

By: BX75250

BX75250 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:56:00 +0000

It’s OVER, James. Done. Rove has the 270 votes (states, counties, preacints & demographics). You DON’T. No, he can’t. Messina, Axelrod & Plouffe = Donna Brazile’s 2000. Go MITT!

By: kimbutgar

kimbutgar — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:37:00 +0000

Those votes for Paul Ryan’s plan that they all voted for should be used by Dem’s as sledge hammers against their repug opponents. Just keep hammering away showing they voted for it!

By: lincoln_b

lincoln_b — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:05:00 +0000

Could you guys fix the graphic to include non-respondents? 24+10+13+35 does not make a full pie and this is not the RCCC…

Otherwise, great news! Here’s to speaker Pelosi!

By: suggarstalk

suggarstalk — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:06:00 +0000

I watch incredulous as the GOP cheers while Ryan plays science lab with my generation’s earned quiet years, our security and tranquility in retirement.