Category: Medicare

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democrats Medicare News Politics

President Obama Lures in Republicans with Deficit Deal

I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.

In an attempt to reach a deficit-reduction deal, President Obama is offering to cut essential programs such as Social Security and Medicare in his new budget proposal. The President’s proposal will include a cut of $1.8 trillion over 10 years and replace the budget cuts that went into effect on March 1. This deal also revisits an earlier proposal to House Speaker, John Boehner, where $400 billion in savings to Medicare would occur over those 10 years.

 

A senior administration official commented,

The President’s budget to be presented on Wednesday will show how we can invest in the things we need to grow our economy, create jobs and strengthen the middle class while further reducing the deficit in a balanced way

The Social Security portion will include a ‘chained CPI’, an inflation formula which should attract many Republicans as the CPI is argued to be a more accurate calculation of inflation which could possibly help minimize the growth of consumer prices. The idea of whether or not this is truly the case is still being heavily debated.

There’s little doubt that this proposal will cause some dissent against President Obama as cutting Social Security and Medicare is an unpopular choice for many Democratic supporters.

However, this has been an ongoing battle between the President and many Republican incumbents and it’s clear that the President is ready to move forward with some type of compromise that pleases most, if not all, members of each party.

Just don’t bend too far, Mr. President.

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Herman Cain Medicare

Herman Cain Admits – Romney Is Lying In His Welfare Attack Ad Against Obama

Amazingly, it Jon Stewart and Comedy Central who are doing the work the so-called “Main Stream Media” should be doing.

Stewart’s guest on Wednesday August 29th was Republican Presidential primary candidate, Herman Cain. Stewart asked Cain about the Ad that Romney “approved,” claiming that Obama is removing the work requirement for Welfare recipients,  and he wanted to get Cain’s opinion on the truthfulness of the ad and the truthfulness of the Romney campaign. Cain tried all the avenues he could to put his Republican spin on the ad, but Stewart was relentless, eventually reading PolitiFact’s “Pants On Fire” description of the ad.

After being backed into a corner with no way to run, Cain admits that Romney was in fact, lying and the ad was wrong.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the truth tour begins tonight!” Stewart declared after reading from PolitiFact. “Hold on, let me get in my gloating chair.”

Cain insisted that Politifact was just talking about “the language” of the ad: that somehow the word “gutted” was simply too strong. But he still insisted that the rules give states the ability to weaken the requirement.

“I’m not disagreeing with the fact that the language was too strong,” Cain said. “But it gives states the opportunity to so called increase [in employment], but the examples I have been shown, it decreased.”

“No, no, no, no,” Stewart said. “It’s not about lessening them. It’s about making sure it’s not a, I believe the phrase is, ‘One size fits all.’”

“I would agree with that,” Cain said repeatedly.

“It seems to me that not only is ‘gutting’ wrong, but lessening is wrong,” Stewart replied. “That, lessening would still be pants, necessarily not on fire, but certainly smoldering.”

“There are situations where they were looking at lessening, but…” Cain trailed off. “But I’m not… I will go along with your description.”

Then Cain turned to the audience, raised his arms and shouted: “I am sorry! So shoot me!”

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Medicare ObamaCare Politics weekly address

President’s Weekly Address – Strengthening And Preserving Medicare

The President used this weeks address to talk about the critical need to strengthen and preserve Medicare for our seniors and future generations.

Through the President’s Affordable Care Act, nearly 5.4 million seniors have already saved an average of more than $700 on prescription drugs, preventive care services like mammograms are free without co-pay, and the President’s plan extends the life of Medicare by almost a decade by cracking down on waste, fraud, and overpayments.

Republicans in Congress have put forward a very different plan that turns Medicare into a voucher program—under one plan forcing seniors to pay an extra $6,400 out of their own pocket for care-and effectively ends Medicare as we know it. The President believes that our seniors deserve better and will work with anyone to keep improving the current system to give our seniors the security and peace of mind they have earned.

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Medicare Mitt Romney Politics

Is This The Dumbest Mitt Romney Quote Ever?

Republicans must be ecstatic to have this guy represent them in the 2012 Presidential elections. In an interview with The Boston Globe,  Mitt Romney actually said this;

“This week, President Obama will release a budget that won’t take any meaningful steps toward solving our entitlement crisis. The president has failed to offer a single serious idea to save Social Security and is the only president in modern history to cut Medicare benefits for seniors.”

In that one statement, Mitt Romney accused President Obama of not doing anything to solve the entitlement crisis, then proclaims that Mr. Obama is the only president in modern history to cut Medicare benefits.

Wow. So the president is not doing anything about the entitlement crisis, but he’s the only president to cut Medicare?

Could it be that Mitt Romney — a member of the top richest 1% who only pays around 14% in taxes and already said he’s not concerned about the very poor — has no idea that Medicare benefits is considered an “entitlement program?”

Now Romney has said a lot of dumb things in the past – from his “corporations are people to my friends,” his “I like firing prople,” his “I’ll tell you what, ten-thousand bucks? $10,000 bet?” to Rick Perry at a time when the economy is in a recession, his “I should tell my story. I’m also unemployed” statement to unemployed Americans when he’s worth a quarter of a billion dollars – but this one has to be one of the dumbest thus far.

Lets see what tomorrow brings…

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democrats Medicare Politics

Rick Perry Loses Support Since His Recent Social Security Gaffe

A new Poll conducted by PPP shows President Obama extending his lead over Republican Rick Perry. According to the results, the lead is now in the double figures, and is the direct result of Rick Perry’s recent claims that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. PPP reports;

Only 20% of voters agree with Perry that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme to 70% who dissent from that statement.  Democrats (4/87) and independents (20/69) are pretty universal in their disagreement with Perry and even Republicans (39/49) don’t stand with him on this one. When it comes to the possibility of actually ending Social Security voters are even more unanimous – 82% oppose taking that step to only 10% who would be supportive of it.  If Perry ends up as the Republican nominee and Democrats can effectively convince the electorate that he does want to end Social Security it could be an extremely damaging issue for him.

Since bringing up the Ponzi scheme claim at the MSNBC Republican debate earlier this month, Rick Perry has already begun his campaign to distance himself from that remark. But could it already be too late? Is the damage already done? If these poll numbers hold up over the next few months, expect the Republican elites to start moving away from Perry, and back to Romney.

My prediction for the general election? It will be President Obama and Vice President Biden, going against Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty.

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Medicare Mitch McConnell paying taxes Politics Republican

Remember When McConnell Said The Rich Should Pay Their Taxes?

It was not that long ago, but when you look at what he said then and compare it with what he’s saying now in Washington, Mitch McConnell’s statement sounds like it came from a different dimension.

The year was 1990, and Mitch McConnell – the present Senate Republican Minority Leader – was in his campaign mode when he made a political ad referring to taxes, saying, ” Unlike some folks around here, I think everyone should pay their fair share, including the rich.” But McConnell didn’t stop there. He went on and took a position on Medicare that, when taken in conjunction with his taxing-the-rich statement, it prompted the Associated Press to say that he sounded like a “populist Democrat.” He called for the protection of Medicaid recipients.

Here is the transcript of Mitch McConnell’s full ad.

I’m sure you’ve been watching this mess in Washington.

I’d like you to know how I feel about it.

I haven’t voted for one of these lousy budget packages for years and I won’t vote for this one.

It would raise taxes on the wrong people.

Unlike some folks around here I think everyone should pay their fair share. Including the rich.

We need to protect our seniors from Medicare cuts too.

I don’t care if the President or Congressional leaders twist my arm. I won’t support any deal that isn’t a fair deal for the working families of Kentucky.

Those were the days when Democrats and Republicans were afraid to make their true motives known, and although they may have felt differently, putting the people first was always  the politically correct thing to do.

Today however, McConnell and his band of Congressional Republicans have made a pledge to Grover Norquist to never raise taxes on the rich, and they are in the midst of instituting some of the biggest spending cuts in our nation’s history. And yes, McConnell now wants to cut Medicare into non-existence.

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Medicare Politics

Final Debt Ceiling Plan – Democrats Cave To Republicans

In what will likely be the final plan offered to raise the nation’s debt ceiling from $14.3 trillion, Harry Reid offered the unofficial-official surrender for Democrats – a plan that cut spending by $2.7 trillion dollars, with zero, nada, zilch revenue increase – just what Republicans have asked for all along.

Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate Majority Leader revealed the plan late Sunday, and asked the Republicans to join in what he called a “compromise.”

“We hope Speaker Boehner will abandon his ‘my way or the highway’ approach, and join us in forging a bipartisan compromise along these lines,” Reid said

And if you think House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is objecting, think again. Mrs. Pelosi released a statement congratulating Reid for the new plan, saying;

“I applaud Senator Reid for putting forward an approach to reduce the deficit that protects Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.”

Democrats and President Obama have pushed Republicans to raise the debt ceiling, with a “balanced approach” to attacking the nation’s debt. That “balanced approach” was an original plan requiring around $3 trillion is spending cuts, but also asked Republicans to close some of the tax loopholes that the rich have profited from for decades.

Republicans held their ground and demanded more spending cuts with no revenue increase and this white flag from Harry Reid and the Democrats give the Republicans their win.

And although Nancy Pelosi indicates that the Big 3 will be left in tact, in time we will know if Republicans will celebrate another victory with spending cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

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Featured Medicare Republican

Allen West To Debbie Wasserman-Schultz – “You Want A Personal Fight?”

Allen West wrote a scalding letter to Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, calling her the “most vile, unprofessional and despicable member of the US House of Representatives.” The Republican congressman was responding to what he thought was an attack from Schultz, when she took to the floor of the House today, after West had spoken.

The discussion was about the Republicans Cut, Cap and Balance legislation, one that West supports. Debbie’s only mistake, was apparently questioning “the gentleman’s” support for the legislation.

“The gentleman from Florida, who represents thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, as do I, is supportive of this plan that would increase costs for Medicare beneficiaries, unbelievable from a Member from South Florida,” Wasserman Schultz said. She made the point that the legislation “slashes Medicaid and critical investments essential to winning the future in favor of protecting tax breaks for Big Oil, millionaires, and companies who ship American jobs overseas.”

Although Schultz did not mention West by name, West showed his total lack of decency and attacked Debbie in this letter, posted below.

From: Z112 West, Allen
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM
To: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Cc: McCarthy, Kevin; Blyth, Jonathan; Pelosi, Nancy; Cantor, Eric
Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz

Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional ,and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. Focus on your own congressional district!

I am bringing your actions today to our Majority Leader and Majority Whip and from this time forward, understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior……which dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign hqs, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach.

You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!

Steadfast and Loyal

Congressman Allen B West (R-FL)

Way to beat up on a woman Mr.West. Did you learn that in your “honorary” days in the military?

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Medicare Mitch McConnell Politics Republican South Carolina United States

Lindsey Graham Blames His Fellow Congressional Republicans

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has a message for his Republican friends in Congress. Don’t blame the President or even the Democrats. Don’t blame anyone else for the mess over raising the debt ceiling, blame yourself.

“Our problem is we made a big deal about this for three months. How many Republicans have been on TV saying, ‘I’m not going to raise the debt limit.’ You know, Mitch [McConnell] says, ‘I’m not going to raise the debt limit unless we talk about Medicare.’ And I’ve said I’m not going to raise the debt limit until we do something about spending and entitlements.’ So we’ve got nobody to blame but ourselves.

“We shouldn’t have said that if we didn’t mean it.”

The Republicans are beginning to break.

With the President holding his ground in the negotiations over raising the debt ceiling, and with Americans looking at the Republicans as obstructionists whose only goal is protecting the rich while the rest of the country slides into default, Republicans are beginning to wonder out loud why they intentionally mislead the American people over a very routine matter – raising the debt ceiling. On Tuesday, Senate Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell proposed a feeble detour to get the debt ceiling raised, and now this from Lindsey Graham.

The American people are keeping track of what’s going on, and the Republicans are beginning to see the writing on the wall… in the form of a political suicide note that is.

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Barack Obama Medicare Politics Republican Tax United States weekly address White House

G.O.P Putting America In Default Status To Avoid A 3% Tax Hike On Millionaires

In his weekly address to the nation, President Obama spoke about the looming debt ceiling, and the discussion presently going on between Democrats and Republicans. The President detailed what both sides have already agreed to, saying;

“The good news is, we agree on some of the big things. We agree that after a decade of racking up deficits and debt, we finally need to get our fiscal house in order. We agree that to do that, both sides are going to have to step outside their comfort zones and make some political sacrifices. And we agree that we simply cannot afford to default on our national obligations for the first time in our history; that we need to uphold the full faith and credit of the United States of America.”

Mr. Obama also spoke about the differences between what he believes must be done and the position the Republicans have taken to protect the rich, saying, “I believe we need a balanced approach. That means taking on spending in our domestic programs and our defense programs. It means addressing the challenges in programs like Medicare so we can strengthen those programs and protect them for future generations. And it means taking on spending in the tax code – spending on tax breaks and deductions for the wealthiest Americans.”

And there lies the problem, the stumbling block between Democrats and Republicans. Mr. Obama’s wish to take on the spending in the tax code is what Republicans are strongly against. It must be noted here, that taking on this tax code equals a 3% tax raise on millionaires, essentially taking their tax rate from 36% to 39%, which is what the rate was under the Clinton Administration.

Republicans are saying no to that 3% raise for the rich, but they are all for spending cuts in programs that benefit the middle class, like cuts in Medicare and social Security.

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Democratic House of Representatives Medicare New York Paul Ryan Politics Republican United States

A Republican Shellacking Like No Other In N.Y-26

Remember this Republican dude? You know… the one who was caught emailing half-naked pictures of himself to women on Craigslist? Yeah, him. He immediately resigned his position in congress after the story broke because he didn’t want to bring embarrassment to his wife and kids.

Yeah, that’s the dude. He represented a district in New York that many consider to be the most conservative district nationwide. This district, called New York 26, made history yesterday. In a special election to replace the shirtless Republican dude with the red phone, a Democrat won! I’ll say that again… a democrat won in a district that should have went Republican even if no Republican names were on the ballot.

This is huge news… HUGE! (the way The Donald would say it)! And the thanks for this Democratic victory goes to another Republican named, Paul Ryan.

This Republican Paul Ryan dude is very wicked… wicked and sinister! How wicked is he? This dude is so wicked, that he created a budget infamously called, The Paul Ryan Budget. In this budget, which was agreed to by just about every Republican in the House of Representatives, Paul Ryan advocates for the biggest transfer of wealth from the poor and middle class, to the richest 2% of Americans. If his budget is ever enacted, over $3 trillion dollars would be taken from the middle class and given to the rich over a period of 10 years.

But that’s not all the Ryan Budget does, no not by a long shot! Hear this… The Ryan Budget also wants seniors to give up Medicare as they know it today, and in its place, take a $6,000 voucher instead. These seniors are then expected to use this voucher and shop for health insurance on the private market. The question seniors are asking these Republicans is to name one private insurance company who will insure seniors with a $6,000 voucher, considering the many ailments affecting this segment of society, and considering the for-profit nature of private insurance. So far, no Republicans – including the clean-cut but sinister Paul Ryan himself – have answered their concerns.

This brings us back to NY-26.

The Democrat in the special election Kathy Hochul,  disagreed with The Paul Ryan Budget and promised her district that if she won, she will fight the Ryan Budget with all her might. The Republican candidate on the other hand – Jane Corwin, fell in lockstep with the Ryan Budget and agreed with its drastic measures wholeheartedly, and even had the big-wigs from Washington campaign on her behalf. John Boehner, an ardent supporter of The Ryan Budget, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives and the third in line to be President of The United States if anything happens to the President or Vice-President, went to NY-26 and told the Republican conservative district to vote for his candidate.

But last night, Democrats, Republicans and Independents in NY-26 went to the polls and elected the first Democrat in over 50 years.

Democrats are calling this victory a referendum on Republicans and their quest for ultimate control over the lives of free thinking Americans. Republicans on the other hand will try to come up with all sorts of excuses to explain why they lost NY-26. One reason already being pushed is the claim that votes cast for the third candidate, a Teaparty favorite, would have given the Republican candidate the win, had the Teaparty candidate not entered the race.

Sure. This was a shellacking! No two ways about it. The American people have spoken. The Republican quest to control every aspect of our lives and turn that control over to the Corporate élite has been put on notice.

If NY-26 is any indication, expect nothing less than a Republican whipping in the 2012 elections.

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Medicare MSNBC Politics Republican United States

Ron Paul Will End Medicare, Medicaid And Social Security

Ron Paul, the Libertarian who caucuses with Republicans in Congress, wants to get rid of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security… and he’s running for President of the United States in 2012 with those cuts on his agenda.

Mr. Paul appeared on MSNBC and was interviewed by Host Cenk Uygur. Mr. Uygur asked Mr. Paul whether or not he will “transition” out of Medicare and Social Security if he became president, to which Paul answered;

“Well, you know, if I can get the people to agree and Congress to agree, yea, that will be my program. It’s to transit out, because this one has failed.”

We pretty much know how the people will respond to having their health care “transitioned out.” A recent poll shows that Americans overwhelmingly oppose cuts to these programs. Among registered voters, 80% oppose cutting these Medicare and Medicaid. Among Democrats, 92% oppose. 73% of Republicans also oppose cutting these programs and for Independents, 72% oppose the cuts.

And how does the Teaparty feel about these cuts Mr. Paul speaks of? 75% of Teaparty supporters oppose these cuts. Seems Ron Paul is already off on the wrong foot for 2012.

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