in a primary, that is.
I like the idea of flooding the Republican Party with liberals. We "help" them nominate Olympia Snowe and then watch as the Tea Party tears her apart like the next iteration of the "Saw" franchise.
Completely unrelated thoughts about Republicans below...............................
If taxpayers are the source of income of entitlement programs...say...Social Security....isn't your Social Security check A TAX CUT?!?!?!? Isn't the medicare payment against a medical bill a tax cut?
Perhaps the money is deferred, but if you live long enough (or your medical needs require it), you get all your money back.
In Republican parlance, tax cuts are "giving money back to the people that earned it." So...therefore...any program that isn't strictly redistributive is a tax cut?
Republicans will say, "Well, I could invest that money better than the government can and I'll get less out of the program than I deserve."
To which I have to respond: Bernie Madoff. Even brilliant people can make bad decisions.
The "big entitlement programs"...the trillions of dollars that Republicans want to cut? Those programs exist as a protection for YOU in the event that SHIT goes south. You pay into them, you reap the benefits.
I'm sorry that some people are going to game the system. If that upsets you, we can talk about ways to mend the programs. There are ways to punish the 1% of freeloaders without harming the right of the 99% to take advantage if they choose to do so.
I'm sorry that some programs are means tested and taxes are higher for the rich.
The rich STILL get to take advantage of government programs and benefits. Again, if conditions merit it you WILL get all of your money back. Plus you get to live in a free country with an environment that provides INCREDIBLE opportunities for people with money.
We have to make tough choices. Republicans spout off about that all the time. Being adult. Making tough choices. Addressing our fiscal crisis seriously.
Well......we live in a democratic republic. Our Senators and Representatives are obligated to reflect our wishes.
When you poll people, what do they consistently say?
1. Don't slash entitlements
2. Tax the rich to balance the budget
3. Cut MY taxes (and not necessarily anyone else's)
4. Jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs
That's the will of the people.
Of course Republicans will say that's not what they want. Are they contesting the validity of the polls? When Rasmussen polls it, it comes out roughly the same way.
Are they calling the American people stupid or misinformed? If the polls are accurate and Congress blatantly ignores our will -- they must know something we don't know, right?
Let's get on the right path. The path that the American people themselves want.