Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) has come a long way in his political career by being an asshole, and always by punching down. He's probably taking that too far, though, in re-relaunching his bid for president because now he's picking on seniors and the disabled. In a New Hampshire speech Christie called for massive cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
MANCHESTER, N.H.—Gov. Chris Christie called for reduced Social Security benefits for retired seniors earning more than $80,000 and eliminating the benefit entirely for individuals making $200,000 and up in other income, along with raising the retirement age to 69 from 67. […]
“I know some in both political parties will criticize these ideas,” Mr. Christie said during the speech at New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College. “These are the truths you all know in your gut. I want to give voice to those common sense truths that we already know.”
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Here's some gut reaction and common sense for you, Chris Christie. You will not win the Republican nomination to be president. And you're sure as hell not going to win it by calling for Social Security benefits to end, for anyone. It's a plan only
Fix the Debt could love.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) didn't mince words in reacting to Christie's proposal.
"You take a deep breath and try to wonder what world these people live in," said Sanders, who is also considering a run for president. "What Governor Christie is saying is just the continuation of the war being waged by the Republican Party against the elderly, against the children, against the sick and against the poor, in order to benefit millionaires and billionaires. It is an outrage."
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) was quick to associate himself with Sanders' statement. The fact that this one-time
proponent of Social Security cuts is standing shoulder to shoulder with Sanders tells you just how behind-the-times Christie's austerity schtick is.