The New Republican Plan to Bankrupt America

[IDemo]

By Steven Pearlstein
Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, this week revealed a secret Republican plan that would end up eliminating all federal farm subsidies; closing down Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks; selling off the interstate highway system; and canceling Head Start, subsidized school lunches and the entire college loan program.

The plan came to light as a result of an op-ed piece this week in The Washington Post in which the party chairman committed the GOP to spending an ever-increasing share of the federal budget, and the national income, on Medicare. When combined with other Republican promises -- to balance the budget, protect defense spending and never, ever raise anyone's taxes -- the inescapable inference is that the government would run out of money for every other domestic program sometime around 2035.

Steele's stunning announcement brings the conservative strategy of "starving the beast" to a new level. Under the guise of protecting the elderly, Republicans hope to realize their dream of eliminating half a dozen Cabinet agencies, firing tens of thousands of government workers and ending government regulation as we know it.

Steele's op-ed was the latest salvo in his party's campaign to defeat President Obama's health-care reform effort at all costs and build public support for a Republican alternative that remains, to this day, a closely held secret. The new Seniors' Health Care Bill of Rights, however, hints at the outlines of the GOP domestic strategy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/25/AR2009082503136.html?hpid=news-col-blog

[demodonkey]

1. This fight for healthcare is a FIGHT FOR THE LAST ELECTION.

They couldn't steal it any other way this time, so they are trying to scream their way back into power.

[The Wielding Truth]

2. They have the guts to actually let these ideas come out! Shame on them !

:mad: :wtf: :thumbsdown:

The repubs have fallen into a uncivilized state.

[liberal N proud]

3. But they will protect defense spending

:grr:

[Recursion]

4. Well, I'm with them on farm subsidies

End Monsanto's welfare checks, please!

[MISSDem]

5. Well, a lot of people agree with them. I agree on

farm subsidies. These rich farmers make a killing.