Dean Baker: Boehner Wants CUTS to Social Security and Medicare, not "Changes"

[ProSense]

Boehner Wants CUTS to Social Security and Medicare, not "Changes"

For some reason the Washington Post has a hard time accurately reporting the nature of the budget discussions between President Obama and Speaker Boehner. It told readers today:

"In exchange for the higher rates for millionaires, Boehner is demanding changes to federal health and retirement programs, which are projected to be the biggest drivers of future federal borrowing."

Of course Boehner is not looking for random "changes" to these programs, he is looking for "cuts" in the programs. While the next sentence points out that Boehner is seeking "savings" from these programs, there is no reason to obscure what is at issue by using "changes."

It is also worth noting that under the law, Social Security cannot contribute to the deficit. It was set up by Congress as a stand alone program that can only spend money from its designated revenue stream. All official budget documents show the "on-budget" deficit which excludes revenue and spending from Social Security.

http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/boehner-wants-cuts-to-social-security-and-medicare-not-qchangesq

The GOP media shills are doing their best to sell Boehner's bogus proposal: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=338282

More pretend outrage from the RW.

Club For Growth Turns On Boehner: ‘This Is The Republican Position?’

The conservative group Club For Growth attacked House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) on Monday for offering President Obama concessions on taxes and the debt limit in the so-called fiscal cliff negotiations.

“First Speaker Boehner offered to raise tax rates after promising not to, and now he’s offering to raise the debt ceiling," Club for Growth President Chris Chocola said in a statement. "Raising tax rates is anti-growth and raising the debt ceiling is pro-government growth – and this is the Republican position?”

Over the weekend, Boehner offered to push a fight over an increase in the federal debt limit off for a year, including a proposition to hike tax rates with on those with annual incomes of $1 million or more annually.

“Raising the debt ceiling would give away one of the best tools the Republicans have in their arsenal to force real reform," Chocola added.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/club-for-growth-turns-on-boehner

[spanone]

1. NO. DEAL.

[ananda]

2. Idiot.

We're not that stoopid.

[liberal N proud]

3. They are hiding it calling it something different

"federal health and retirement programs" = Social Security and Medicare

Shame on the media!

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. So, they've dropped all of the pretense

and just flat out acknowledging that the debt ceiling will continue to be a "hostage" in budget negotiations (well, as long as a Democrat is in the WH, anyway)?

[1StrongBlackMan]

6. I don't think ...

holding the debt ceiling hostage will bode well for the gop, this time around. Their make believe base that they call the "business community" (as oppose to their real base, the 1/10 of the 1%) has already said, "Heck No!" The people has said, "Heck No!"

If they press forward, I see a Democratic House, an expanded Democratic Senate, and a really, really pi$$ed off President in 2014.

[1StrongBlackMan]

5. "No, Mr. boehner ...

You don't seem to be hearing me on 'entitlements' ... When I say reforms, I mean: cost savings, reduction of payments to teaching hospitals, negotiation on drug prices; you know, the things I have mentioned before that cut the cost to the programs, without harming the beneficiaries. Try again."

[MiniMe]

7. Dear Asshat Boehner, the debt ceiling is for money that has already been spent and that needs to be

paid back. We can always send you to debtors prison instead.