If the Dems really want to see nobody turn out for them in 2014

[edhopper]

they will go ahead and agree on SS and Medicare cuts. Nothing would make people think it is pointless to vote more than that.
So saving any tax breaks for the rich while attacking entitlement benefits is a sure way to lose the senate in 14.
People did not vote for more Dems in Congress for them to act like Repugs.

[BlueToTheBone]

1. I haven't heard that is the strategy.

What did I miss?

[99Forever]

2. Then you aren't paying attention.

Does the term "fiscal cliff" ring a bell?

If I hear that bullshit meme one more time I think I'll barf.

[edhopper]

4. The fiscal cliff is an agreed on policy

from the tax cut debate in 2010. They can address the situations in many ways. It doesn't have to involve attacking SS and Medicare.

[99Forever]

8. I couldn't agree more.

Both with this reply and your OP.

If the Dems don't protect Medicare and Social Security AND significantly raise taxes on the rich, they will be in for a slaughter on election day 2014 that will make 2010 look like a picnic. There is no room for capitulation this time.

[BlueToTheBone]

5. I thought the strategy was to fall off

and pick ourselves up as we take back some of our money they stole.

But of course, they are politicians and I think that makes them sociopaths right off...so of course, it's on the table.

[robinlynne]

9. +1.

[edhopper]

3. It's about all this talk of

the Grand Bargain. I am saying the Dems will shoot themselves in the foot if they agree to changes to the programs that hurt people.

[Poll_Blind]

6. Here's where you may have jumped the gun, Ed: The reality of this is not going to hit...

...the news until December 5th-10th or so if they're going to steamroll a "Grand Bargain" through at the last second. And I'm not sure they are, but I suspect they will. So what's going to happen is you're going to keep posting about this (and I hope you do) and people are going to keep giving you flak about it and then over the course of a week or maybe two it's going to go from "What are you talking about?" to "This is a done deal, dude!"

Just my guess.

PB

[edhopper]

11. And i want to add

raising the age is the absolute WORST idea.
I also don't understand why raising the income cap is off the table. since that is the best solution.

[The Magistrate]

7. True, Sir

Not only true, but obvious, and, shall we say, repetitious,,,,

[edhopper]

10. Don't you think

it bears repeating?

[The Magistrate]

14. My Point seems To Have Been Unclear, Sir

The sort of wobbling about that this 'grand bargain' thing reflects is what cost us the House in 2010, and betraying the people who turned out this year by selling out to the deficit howlers in a grand bargain with the lame ducks would cost us dearly in 2014. It is this sort of thing which seems wearily repetitious to me; not standing up for your voters, and then being surprised when fewer of them turn out....

[edhopper]

15. Got it /nt

[EmeraldCityGrl]

12. Please correct me if I'm wrong

Obama has always said while S.S. needs some minor tweaking, but the program is sound.
That is what I have been hearing. Medicare needs the waste eliminated. Minor tweaking for
S.S would not include raising eligibly age.

I realize this is rather simplistic, but Obama isn't the one that makes these programs a
complicated mess when addressing adjustments that need to be made.

I also am under the impression he is taking this on the road to the people.

[FredStembottom]

13. Yes. That would be the "what's the difference?" moment.

... for those of us who really need help to get our families back out of poverty.

It won't matter to those comfortably situated enough to enjoy the Grand Bargain as a "winning strategy" in a political game.

But for me and my family.......

Disaster.