First some the highlights of what Ryan DID say:
All of this new government spending was sold as "investment." Yet after two years, the unemployment rate remains above 9% and government has added over $3 trillion to our debt.
Then the President and his party made matters even worse, by creating a new open-ended health care entitlement. [...]
Our debt is out of control. What was a fiscal challenge is now a fiscal crisis.
[...]
So I'd like to share with you the principles that guide us. [...]
We believe government's role is both vital and limited — to defend the nation from attack and provide for the common defense ... to secure our borders ... to protect innocent life ... to uphold our laws and Constitutional rights ... to ensure domestic tranquility and equal opportunity ... and to help provide a safety net for those who cannot provide for themselves. [...]
Our nation is approaching a tipping point.
[...] a future in which we will transform our social safety net into a hammock, which lulls able-bodied people into lives of complacency and dependency.
[...]
We need to chart a new course.
All fine and good, IF you're the average Low-info Voter.
Link to the Intro Transcript:
Transcript: GOP Response From Rep. Paul Ryan
NPR, Jan 25, 2011
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Funny how Congressman Ryan did not mention Social Security or Medicare by name. Funny how he DIDN'T tell the American People exactly what he plans to do to those "safety net" programs, if given the chance.
Programs he hinted tonite were both a:
"safety net for those who cannot provide for themselves"
while at the same time calling them:
"a hammock, which lulls able-bodied people into lives of complacency and dependency"
Luckily for us, Congressman Ryan's actual plans with regards to these "safety net" programs have been made public, for us high-info voters to read, and inform others about:
Ryan's Plan for Social Security could be summarized with this one sentence:
"As these personal accounts continue to accumulate wealth, they will eventually replace the funding that comes through the government’s pay-as-you-go system."
A Roadmap for America's Future: Description of the Legislation
Congressman Paul Ryan, Ranking Member, Committee on the Budget
Social Security
As currently structured, however, Social Security is going bankrupt and cannot fulfill its promises to future retirees. Without reform, future retirees face benefit cuts of up to 24 percent in 2037. Attempts to fix the problem without fundamental reform will excessively burden future workers and sacrifice U.S. prosperity. [...]
Individuals 55 and older will remain in the current system and will not be affected by this proposal in any way: they will receive the benefits they have been promised, and have planned for, during their working years. All other workers will have a choice to stay in the current system or begin contributing to personal accounts. Those who choose the personal account option will have the opportunity to begin investing a significant portion of their payroll taxes into a series of funds managed by the U.S. government. The system would closely resemble the investment options available to Members of Congress and Federal employees through the Thrift Savings Plan [TSP]. As these personal accounts continue to accumulate wealth, they will eventually replace the funding that comes through the government’s pay-as-you-go system. This will reduce the demand on government spending, lead to a larger overall benefit for retired workers, and restore solvency to the Social Security Program.
Ryan's Plan for Medicare could be summarized with this one idea:
"The entire methodology of the program must be converted"
A Roadmap for America's Future: Description of the Legislation
Congressman Paul Ryan, Ranking Member, Committee on the Budget
Medicare Program
A Medicare Program for the 21st Century. As the long-term fiscal burden of Medicare becomes more unsustainable, it is clear that – to fulfill the mission of Medicare – small and gradual changes to the program will not suffice. The entire methodology of the program must be converted away from a program that shelters providers and consumers from prices [...]
For individuals now younger than 55 only, the proposal adapts Medicare’s eligibility age to reflect Americans’ improving lifespans, raising in gradually, and in modest steps, from the current 65 to 69 years and 6 months.
Sometimes, it's what you Don't say that really matters most, eh Paul?