Here we go again, the fear-card, being played to get us to go along with Obama's call for "austerity" and the Simpson-Bowles plan that cuts Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security benefits.
Why aren't Obama, Reid, Pelosi and Democrats talking about the Progressive Caucus's budget and plan to balance the budget (reduces the deficit by $5.1 trillion)? It beats Obama's, Reid's and Republicans' plans.
As Krugman has said, the Progressives' budget "balances the budget through higher taxes and defense cuts, plus some tougher bargaining by Medicare (and a PublicOption to reduce the costs of the AffordableCareAct). The proposed tax hikes would fall on higher incomes, raising the cap on payroll taxes (takes care of SocialSecurity's solvency forever)... and unlike the Ryan plan, it actually makes sense."
But Obama takes solutions that work for the People, the vast majority of Americans, off the table. Obama kneecaps and handicaps the voters who put him and Democrats into power.
That's Obama's style, taking solutions that work for the People off the table and out of consideration when we're discussing how we want to proceed. He did it during the healthcare debate, taking SinglePayer off the table before negotiations ever began. Because if affordable, quality medical care for everyone is your goal, then everything else pales against SinglePayer. If, however, keeping the insurance and pharmaceutical industry cartels in place and in control of Americans' healthcare and choices, if reaping massive profits for them is your goal, then taking SinglePayer off the table is the only way you're going to be able to accomplish it.
If Republicans are going to turn down anything Obama and Democrats put forth, why then aren't Obama and Democrats fighting for the best plan out there?
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