"We can compromise with reasonable Republicans about restricting entitlements."

[ProSense]

Why is it great when Howard Dean says this:

Dean: There are some bottom lines. Everybody has to have bottom lines. Can we limit the outlay on social security, yes, but can we take away people's benefits? I don't think so. Can we limit the outflow on Medicare? Yes, by using a payment system that encourages wellness not sicknesses. But you cannot eliminate people from Medicare. You cannot raise the age of Medicare to 67%. That's unfair and outrageous. People wait to get on Medicare because their private insurance is so lousy when they're under 65. So you've got to pick and choose what you can do. We can compromise with reasonable Republicans about restricting entitlements. We are not interested in compromising unless everybody bears their share. And that includes the wealthiest people in America, who by the way lead us into this mess with the outrageous behavior of the major banks.

But horrible for President Obama to say this:

Last week, we reached an agreement that will make historic cuts to defense and domestic spending. But there’s not much further we can cut in either of those categories. What we need to do now is combine those spending cuts with two additional steps: tax reform that will ask those who can afford it to pay their fair share and modest adjustments to health care programs like Medicare.

[ClassWarrior]

1. Who says it's "great?" Links please?

NGU.

[ProSense]

6. No one,

I'm glad you agree it isn't great!

I thought I saw a front page piece on Howard Dean yesterday, but I could be wrong.

[Rincewind]

2. It's simple,

Gov. Dean lost in the primaries, so that means he is perfect in every way, and can do no wrong. On the other hand, President Obama won the general election, that means he is responsible for all the evil in the world, and can do nothing right.

[ClassWarrior]

4. Who says it's not wrong? Links please?

NGU.

[ProSense]

11. No one

Do you agree that it's wrong?

I mean, it seems that your question is a distraction.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Which part of "can we take away people's benefits? I don't think so." and

"But you cannot eliminate people from Medicare. You cannot raise the age of Medicare to 67" do you not understand?

Bonus points: show us where Obama has similarly said these benefit cuts cannot be made.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. Key things Dean said that Obama never said:

can we take away people's benefits? I don't think so.

But you cannot eliminate people from Medicare. You cannot raise the age of Medicare to 67. That's unfair and outrageous.

We are not interested in compromising unless everybody bears their share

That includes the wealthiest people in America, who by the way lead us into this mess with the outrageous behavior of the major banks.



The differences between the two statements are stark and obvious. Not to mention all the other times Obama could have said 'who lead us into this mess with outrageous behavior' and such.

[ClassWarrior]

7. Really? The OP is cherry-picking information? People only cheat like that when they have...

...no argument.

NGU.

[ProSense]

10. Cherry-picking?

The full quote is in the OP. That's not what cherry-picking means.

[ClassWarrior]

15. Do you want to know what cherry picking means?

cher·ry-pick (cher-ee-pik) Informal.
verb (used with object)
1. to select with great care: You can cherry-pick your own stereo components.

http://www.dictionary.com

You cherry-picked that particular quote about the Big Three - full though it may be - from Dr. Dean's various comment on the Big Three.

Q.E.D.

NGU.

[ProSense]

17. Hmmm?

"You cherry-picked that particular quote about the Big Three - full though it may be - from Dr. Dean's various comment on the Big Three."

What? The quote "full though it may be" was the quote specific to Social Security and Medicare.

You should consider rereading the definition.

[ProSense]

9. Obama has said he isn't going to cut benefits, but

you're right not taking away benefits makes this statement OK:

"We can compromise with reasonable Republicans about restricting entitlements."

Again, why is that acceptable and the statement by the President horrible?

[MannyGoldstein]

12. Please provide a link to Obama's statement

that he's not interested in cutting benefits.

Thanks.

[ProSense]

13. .

Do you agree with this statement:

"We can compromise with reasonable Republicans about restricting entitlements."

Yes or no?

Thanks!

[MannyGoldstein]

14. I asked first.

I'll be happy to answer after you.

[ProSense]

16. Here

I know these are not the SOTU, but they should do.

What about Social Security?

I think we can make progress. We're ahead of the game in the sense that we're already having a vigorous debate now, and there's no danger of Social Security going bankrupt.

The issue is, can we make these tweaks to ensure that everybody who's expecting a dollar in Social Security payments gets a dollar instead of 75 cents? And the sooner we do it, the better off we're going to be. I think that if we can make some progress first on Medicare and Medicaid, because those are the entitlement programs that are really driving the long-term debt, we'll have a framework of negotiations to actually do something on Social Security as well.

more

Presidential Proclamation--75th Anniversary of the Social Security Act

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Social Security Act to protect ordinary Americans "against the loss of a job and against poverty-ridden old age." Our Nation was entrenched in the Great Depression. Unemployment neared 20 percent, and millions of Americans struggled to provide for themselves and their families. In the midst of all this, the Social Security Act brought hope to some of our most vulnerable citizens, giving elderly Americans income security and bringing us closer to President Roosevelt's vision of a Nation free from want or fear.

As our country recovers from one of the greatest economic challenges since that time, we are grateful for President Roosevelt's perseverance, and for the countless public servants whose efforts produced the Social Security program we know today. Seventy-five years later, Social Security remains a safety net for seniors and a source of resilience for all Americans. Since 1935, it has been expanded to include dependent and survivor benefits, disability insurance, and guaranteed medical insurance for seniors through Medicare. It is a lasting promise that we can retire with dignity and peace of mind, that workers who become disabled can support themselves, and that families who suffer the loss of a loved one will not live in poverty.

My Administration is committed to strengthening our retirement system and protecting Social Security as a reliable income source for seniors, workers who develop disabilities, and dependents. After a lifetime of contributions to our Nation and its economy, Americans have earned this support. The new health care law, the Affordable Care Act, helps sustain this commitment and improves the long-term outlook of the Social Security program. My Administration is dedicated to safeguarding Social Security's promise of retirement with dignity and security.

On the 75th anniversary of the Social Security Act, let us ensure we continue to preserve this program's original purpose in the 21st century. Together, we can give our children and our grandchildren the same protections we have cherished for decades, and in doing so, lead our Nation to a brighter day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 14, 2010, as the 75th Anniversary of the Social Security Act. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that recognize the historic legacy of the Social Security Act, as well as the vital safety net it provides to millions of Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

Now, do you agree with this statement:

"We can compromise with reasonable Republicans about restricting entitlements."

Yes or no?

Thanks!

[MannyGoldstein]

19. I believe that both quotes are veiled calls to cut benefits

The whole "cut vs. slash" thing. We'll agree to disagree.

As to your question:

Restricting Medicare and Medicaid are trivial - just implement any of the health-care financing systems that are found in every other industrialized country, then the price of health care will be sharply reduced (as it is in every other industrialized country). So yes on that one.

On Social Security - I don't see how it can be done, and I don't know if Dr. Dean does, either. But given his line in the sand on not cutting benefits, and given his history of forthrightness, I'm OK with that statement.

[CakeGrrl]

18. Wrong. Selective hearing is in place.

The President has said over and over that BENEFITS had to be protected.

The President has said over and over that the upper incomes need to pay their fair share.

Filtering out what you don't want to hear so you can think the worst does not serve you well. It simply makes it seem as if you don't really listen.

[donna123]

8. "reasonable republican", isn't that an oxymoron?

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BeyondGeography]

21. I hope their positions are the same

I love that Dean drew a clear line in the sand on age eligibility for Medicare, trashing the present insurance reality while he was at it.

I understand that Obama might want to be more circumspect, because he has to actually negotiate, but it would be for his own political good if he spoke more clearly.