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Showing Original Post only (View all)Robert Reich: Selling the Store: Why Dems Shouldn’t Put Social Security and Medicare on the Table [View all]
Selling the Store: Why Democrats Shouldnt Put Social Security and Medicare on the Table
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Prominent Democrats including the President and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi are openly suggesting that Medicare be means-tested and Social Security payments be reduced by applying a lower adjustment for inflation.
This is even before theyve started budget negotiations with Republicans who still refuse to raise taxes on the rich, close tax loopholes the rich depend on (such as hedge-fund and private-equity managers carried interest), increase capital gains taxes on the wealthy, cap their tax deductions, or tax financial transactions.
Its not the first time Democrats have led with a compromise, but these particular pre-concessions are especially unwise.
For over thirty years Republicans have pitted the middle class against the poor, preying on the frustrations and racial biases of average working people who cant get ahead no matter how hard they try. In the Republican narrative, government takes from the hard-working middle and gives to the undeserving and dependent needy. ....................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://robertreich.org/post/45896187525
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Robert Reich: Selling the Store: Why Dems Shouldn’t Put Social Security and Medicare on the Table [View all]
marmar
Mar 2013
OP
I have come to realise that it is not "Democrats" putting the safety net on the table
djean111
Mar 2013
#2
As Bill Maher says, 'Democrats moved to the right, and Republicans moved into the asylum.'
marmar
Mar 2013
#4
The very fact that SS/Medicare HAS been "Put-On-the-Table" has forever damaged it.
bvar22
Mar 2013
#6
My grandparents' generation contributed to Social Security only the last two decades of their workin
maddiemom
Mar 2013
#21
Not weak, just complicit with GOP goals for Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid. nt
NorthCarolina
Mar 2013
#18
I wish The Progressive Caucus would start organizing as a third party then
xtraxritical
Mar 2013
#26
It's not a 'compromise', it is policy. Using Republicans alone to get their hands on the SS fund
sabrina 1
Mar 2013
#27
Sad. The Pukes flatly refuse to put revenues on the table, in any shape form or fashion.
Bake
Mar 2013
#29
Ironically, after selling us out they will blame the left for not voting for them.
Tierra_y_Libertad
Mar 2013
#37
that's what so infuriating. lies on top of lies, and everyone pretends they're gospel. on both
HiPointDem
Mar 2013
#41