Snowe: No Medicare Or Social Security Cuts In Debt Deal

[jefferson_dem]

:)

Snowe: No Medicare Or Social Security Cuts In Debt Deal

Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe (ME) said she will not support any debt deal that includes cuts to the two social safety net programs, citing “strong bipartisan support.” “There are solvency problems with both programs. They have to be addressed but not as part of the debt reduction talks,” Snowe told the Bangor Daily News. It’s unclear how she would square that position with her support for a balanced budget amendment. But Snowe added, “There are a lot of tax credits that are not needed and should be repealed” — a position with which Maine’s other Republican senator, Susan Collins, agreed. “We spend billions of dollars a year in subsidies that go to some very wealthy corporate farmers,” Collins said.

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/07/11/265792/snowe-no-medicare-ss-deal/

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. How ironic

that we need a couple of Republicans to stick up for Medicare.

:eyes:

[jefferson_dem]

3. I'm not positive that she's to the left of POTUS on this...

At least publicly... I think so.

[JuniperLea]

6. Any chance to bash Obama...

That's what she's doing... she is distancing herself.

You see, the GOTP have their base so confused, they think that we're heading toward socialism because Obama wants to cut Medicare, SS, teachers, police, firefighters, etc. And they don't have enough sense to realize that those ARE SOCIAL programs.

Amazing.

[w4rma]

10. Maybe Obama shouldn't have stuck his neck out for her to easily whack at it? (nt)

[ProSense]

11. In today's Congress

Medicare wouldn't have passed in the Senate, primarily because of the filibuster and Republican obstruction.

Vote Tallies for Passage of Medicare in 1965

[HockeyMom]

2. Their so called RINO

Very, very few of them left in their party.

[JuniperLea]

4. And still some won't see how well Obama played this...

:rofl:

AAAAAIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

I hope he starts his next speech extolling the virtues of breathing oxygen!

I can't wait to see Boner's orange face turn blue!

[MADem]

8. +100 nt

[eleny]

5. I wonder if she would agree to raising the age of eligibility

[MADem]

9. She's from Maine. Those programs are well-used up that way.

This is self-interest talking. She knows her constituency, that's why she said what she said.

She certainly didn't endear herself to Bonehead or any of the Tea Party Dipshits with that remark. However, she's old enough, senior enough, with enough connections, to not give a shit what a bunch of punks think.

[Tennessee Gal]

7. I am glad there is a little sanity left in the Republican Party.

It sure isn't in the likes of Boehner or McConnell or Hatch.

[vaberella]

12. Snowe and Collins are Progressives and so is Obama. She came out supporting the Pres here.

Obama wants a sweeping plan that deals with reformation of SS/Medicare/Medicaid which is sorely needed. He does not want cuts ---despite what some people think.

[Cali_Democrat]

13. "Snowe and Collins are Progressives and so is Obama"

:spray:

[boston bean]

15. LOL

progressives are RINO's.

What a hoot!

[vaberella]

17. You don't know the definition of a progressive hence you use smiling icon. n/t

[Mass]

16. LOL. First, we do not sorely need a plan for SS. We may for Medicare and medicaid,

but it does not necessarily include cuts.

As for Snowe and Collins, they are only progressive when it serves them, for electoral reasons. Frankly, it is shocking to see somebody here call them progressive. Snowe knows she will not be reelected in Maine if she supports Medicare cuts. That is all. As for Obama, he has only one thing to do for me to trust him: say that "cuts" are not on the table. Do not use words like "slash", etc. Dont try to be cute. Be honest, that all that is needed.

[vaberella]

18. It might be when it serves them---however they are more often on the side of a Progressive issue.

Than not.

[Mass]

19. So, they will vote for a plan that includes tax hikes? I dont think so, but you can always

dream. This is the typical NE republican dance. Always there when the GOP needs them, but showing signs of independence when they know there is no risk, like here. Brown is like that.

[flpoljunkie]

14. Somebody's up for reelection in 2012...

[bornskeptic]

20. Somebody may have to switch parties if she wants to stay in the Senate.

Her teabagger primary challengr is going after her hard. I'm sure she doesn't want to switch, but it will be a tough decision. If she does, you can be sure she'll look a lot more liberal in a hurry, like Arlen Specter did.