Steve Benen
comments on the "the Democrats are the real Medicare killers" new messaging strategy from Republicans.
The entire argument is such a shameless fraud, I almost feel embarrassed for Republicans. I mean, really, it’s as if the party isn’t even trying anymore. Practically every GOP lawmaker in both chambers is now on record supporting a ridiculous plan to end Medicare entirely, privatizing it out of existence, and replacing it with a voucher scheme. Suddenly realizing that the public hates this idea, the party is going back to the cheap rhetoric of 2010 that Republicans said two weeks ago they’re eager to move away from.
He then goes on to set the record straight: Dems didn't "cut" Medicare, they scaled back the "unnecessary giveawawy to insurnace companies" that are Medicare Advantage plans; the Republican budget plan actually contains those same cuts—and almost every Republican has now gone on record voting for those cuts; and Boehner himself has "voted to cut more than $800 billion from Medicare" in his career.
And finally, Boehner and his party want to end Medicare altogether. Why start a fight over which side of the aisle loves the program more when one party wants to privatize the program away?
Republicans created quite a mess for themselves and now appear to be flailing. They’re realizing that Americans love socialized medicine after all, which necessarily puts the GOP in a bit of a hole.
Yes, Americans do love their socialized medicine after all. And that has put the GOP in a hole. Which suggests another option for Democrats to consider in helping Republicans just dig that whole a little deeper. How about instead of just protecting Medicare, they start working on expanding Medicare? A serious push on Medicare for all, or hell, even just Medicare for the middle-aged, would be a potent contrast for Dems to make. It wouldn't happen with a Republican House, but it could happen in the Senate.
Remember when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised a public option vote? Maybe it's time he make good on that promise.
