Biden has a long-record of advocating cuts to social security and Medicare, raising the eligibility age, and reducing inflation adjustments. Worst of all, he’s done this in service of “fiscal responsibility” and in partnership with Republicans like Paul Ryan. I’m not a former Senator or VP, but even I know Republicans are full of shit on “fiscal responsibility”. They cried about budget deficits when we want to expand social programs. Then when they take power, they run up huge deficits with tax cuts for their billionaire backers.
Not only is Biden’s position bad policy that could drive millions of seniors into poverty, it is also a huge electoral threat in the general election. Trump will weaponize Biden’s terrible record on social security and Medicare. This could scare the begeezus out of older voters. Trump already had outsized support among old people, they’re going to share his attacks with their friends. People could end up voting for Trump or sitting out if the right-wing attack machine gets into gear on that.
Trump ran to Hillary’s left by lying about trade healthcare to some degree. He could do the same to Biden. There are tapes of Biden saying he will work with Paul Ryan to cut/restructure social security and Medicare. Trump will gladly throw Ryan under the bus to attack Biden. Ryan might even thank him for the drubbing he receives, just like the other sycophantic Republicans do.
Biden’s campaign knows this is a liability and has begun defending itself. But Bernie has the facts to back up the claim:
Joe Biden is a weak candidate with a very troublesome record on this issue. Throughout his career he has “reached out” to Republicans and given away the farm (Iraq, Clarence Thomas come to mind). We cannot let him do this with social security and Medicare.
He is vulnerable to attacks from Trump. Let’s not choose such a weak candidate. A better world is possible. Vote for Bernie.
We desperately need Medicare For All. A universal, single payer, free at point of service health care plan will help avoid exacerbating crises like the Coronavirus. People don’t go to the doctor because they’re afraid of bills. My governor has issued an executive order that says testing must be free. But that information will not get to all people. These complex patchwork solutions often see the weakest, most underserved populations fail to use them because they are too complex to use.
— @subirgrewal