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Steny Hoyer Accused Of Selling Out Entitlement Programs

Steny Hoyer

The Huffington Post   Max J. Rosenthal First Posted: 03/ 1/2012 5:53 pm Updated: 03/ 1/2012 5:53 pm

Liberal grassroots group CREDO Action slammed House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on Thursday for his calls to limit spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, saying he "would sell out our social safety net."

"The corporatist wing of the Democratic Party once again has its sights set on cutting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security benefits under the guise of deficit reduction," said Murshed Zaheed, the group's deputy political director, in an email to supporters. "And our friends on Capitol Hill tell us House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer is leading the charge."

The group is targeting Hoyer's apparent efforts to revive the idea of a "grand bargain" between Republicans and Democrats on long-term budget issues. Earlier this week, Hoyer gave a speech to Third Way, a Democratic think tank, in which he urged the passage of a compromise that would increase government revenues but limit spending on entitlement programs.

But CREDO Action blasted Third Way as "shills for corporate interests" and charged that Hoyer "appears to be working on a proposal which likely includes brutal cuts to Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security benefits."

The email urged readers to sign a petition against Hoyer's plan.

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Liberal grassroots group CREDO Action slammed House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on Thursday for his calls to limit spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, saying he "would sell out ...
Liberal grassroots group CREDO Action slammed House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on Thursday for his calls to limit spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, saying he "would sell out ...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
be practical
I'll Never Understand the GOP Mind
05:38 PM on 03/05/2012
I agree that entitlements need to be cut. I want to stop all entitlements to ANy corporation that pays any top executives more than 2 million dollars, including sticks and bonuses. I want to stop entitlements to farmers that earn more than 75K. I want to stop the entitlements to those that gain any income through capital gains - another words capital gains should be taxed at the same rate as earned income.

Hey RepHoyer - what do you think of my entitlement cuts?
11:28 AM on 03/02/2012
Can't bargain with extremists Steny.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Patricia Lunsford Pearson
Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.
11:28 AM on 03/02/2012
I do not trust him as far as I can throw him.............I can't even pick him up..He spells trouble for the dems. ......way to quick to cave
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ladameennoir
Child of the Reagan 80s
11:02 AM on 03/02/2012
CREDO--is this the successor to ACORN? I'm really wondering.
11:29 AM on 03/02/2012
Do you even know what ACORN is ?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
be practical
I'll Never Understand the GOP Mind
05:39 PM on 03/05/2012
Please don't start with the hard questions - it just confuses them more.
10:51 AM on 03/02/2012
Baby boomers paid for safety net. We were a large number of workers contributing to the treasure. The government was supposed to invest part of that money, so that now, as we benefit from those who are in the work force, we can also have the profits from what was supposed to be invested in the years we were so many supporting fewer elderly because they did not live as long
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
redrigs
Attitude is Everything!
11:41 AM on 03/02/2012
Yes, and they keep calling these safety net items, entitlements - which they are not - I paid into SS all my working life and I pay Medicare insurance premiums every month - they are not entitlements - we have paid for them!
10:48 AM on 03/02/2012
The choices in the USA have always been: Right or right lite. Clinton is a right, not even so lite who threw millions of women and children into severe poverty. He and Gingrich. The few real, slightly to the left president Carter got cobbled. USA is becoming very close to fascism, and if you don't see it, it explains it
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
tribilin219
A Proud progressive, and for the Green party,one o
10:42 AM on 03/02/2012
Why are paying these losers?
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
10:34 AM on 03/02/2012
Steny, if that IS his real name, should have been dumped years ago!!!! He's a sell out!!!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
DevonTexas
Eternal Optimism
10:33 AM on 03/02/2012
I have never trusted Hoyer as long as I have known of him. He's shifty. I wonder if he's a Dem or Repug.
10:04 AM on 03/02/2012
I really wish you guys would read Atlas Schrugged. If things are not adjusted what would all those people who need these services do if the small businesses in the country decide iw will be cheaper to close up. I can move to a nice island somewhere how about you.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
DevonTexas
Eternal Optimism
10:34 AM on 03/02/2012
problems always have simple solutions to simpletons, don't they?
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
10:34 AM on 03/02/2012
See you!!!!!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
nellpost
09:55 AM on 03/02/2012
I wonder if anyone received an email from MD delegate Johnny Woods that was IMO disrespectful of the President. I wonder how'd he answer if you asked him about the "smoke" email he sent around. Does that seem a good thing for a Democrat representative of those of us who value the President, to do?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
deltalady
09:14 AM on 03/02/2012
I've been sick of Hoyer, Reid, et al, for a long time now. They've sold out the ideals of the Dem Party that I supported for over 30 years. With leaders like this, we haven't stood a chance against the onslaught of the corporate machine. The weak leadership of the Dems and this president have allowed the surge of right wing ideology, hate speech, and putting the blame for this mess on those who have been hit worse by it. And again, this election cycle we hear "but we have to vote Dem because look at what a Rep administration would be like." I agree with the terrible consequences of a Rep controlled Congress and the WH, but this is why nothing changes. The people we keep voting for are not representing us. They can cut our health benefits while taking the taxpayer dollar for the healthcare for themselves and their families. The hypocrisy is beyond belief. And so it continues. 8 years of Bush horror and another 8 years of compromise and sell out. We don't stand a chance.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
nellpost
09:56 AM on 03/02/2012
delat: are plants paid by huffpo?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
deltalady
10:43 AM on 03/02/2012
I keephearing about people getting "paid" for comments. If that's true, sign me up. I could use the cash. Everyone on this board has the right to address the issues they want and give their opinioin. I've been politically active for a very long time and I've seen the downslide of the strong Dem party I've always supported. I imagine I've served more time in the trenches that you have. But I respect your right to be wrong.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
10:37 AM on 03/02/2012
So what do you suggest? Voting repub? Or maybe Ron Paul? I don't think so!!!
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
09:01 AM on 03/02/2012
It's alright, we don't have to worry about ol' Steny ever dying for lack of the safety net: he's covered. The rest of us are just numbers.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Billar
Fighting The Lies From The Right
08:26 AM on 03/02/2012
Hoyer never met a lobbyist e did'nt like.
08:21 AM on 03/02/2012
Here in Upstate NY Excellus Heathcare is handing out hugh multi million dollar bonuses to people that are going to be retiring soon. That alone makes me mad as hell. Sign the petition before it is too late!