My magical thinking.

[Raven]

When the talk of trashing Medicare and privatizing Social Security began some time ago, I dismissed it believing that no political party would risk the vote of seniors. Given the common wisdom that older people are faithful voters, and given their numbers, I figured that such plans would never see the light of day. I was so wrong and I seriously would like to understand why the Republicans went so far. What were they thinking?

[rurallib]

1. What is even more magical is that Repubs believe they are right

on this issue and simply believe that it is a matter of leading people to their way if thinking.
Sadly since the media will give them 24x7xmany channels and radio stations, they will actually make some headway.

But I think SS and Medicare are too well established. The more they pursue it, the bigger the grave they dig, I hope.

I remember my old (thank goodness) congressman, Jim Leach, standing in front of an angry group of voters trying to convince them SS privatization was a good idea. You could tell even he did not believe it.

[Autumn]

2. The way I see it, they are thinking

that the time is now. There are "Democrats" that will go right along with them. It's the bipartisanship and greed. They have convinced everyone that now is when the deficit must be cut. They are not going to go after their own class so that leaves the poor and elderly. That's what I'm thinking

[Raven]

3. I agree, but how on earth did they think they could win reelection?

[Autumn]

4. It almost seems like they don't care if they get reelected,

I have no idea why.

[Capitalocracy]

7. Why would they care if they get reelected?

Their goal is to destroy the government and anything good it does to protect the people, except its function as a giant Hoover vacuuming all the wealth from the middle class and poor and putting it into the hands of 1% of the population. If they can achieve this goal as quickly as possible, they have NO reason to care about getting reelected. The sooner they get fired from government, the sooner they can cash in as corporate lobbyists or consultants earning millions of dollars a year for doing little or nothing.

That, and they know they'll always retain a certain amount of power just because of the massive amounts of money available to them.

[livetohike]

5. The GOP thought they had such a mandate from the 2010

elections that they could do whatever they wanted to do and that the public wouldn't care/complain. They also believe the Democrats are weak and probably wouldn't make a fuss over it either. They were wrong and they are really stupid.

[DirkGently]

6. They believe this is "their moment" to grab it all. Upward redistribution -- that's the dream.

[Javaman]

8. That's just it. They don't think. They react. nt