Like corroded clockwork, the Republicans once again find themselves in the middle of a public relations disaster the size of Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede. Specifically, their plan to reform Medicare, which some folks say is akin to a tornado's plan to reform trailer courts. Of course I'm talking about Paul Ryan's Roadmap for America's Future, which utilizes a rusty chain saw to perform major surgery on Medicare without benefit of anesthetic. And don't even think of staying overnight: this is an outpatient procedure.
The scheme involves replacing blanket care for elders with fixed-value vouchers. You know, like coupons. That's right, he's going to hand out health care coupons. Why? Because it would save lots of money, which could then be given to wealthy people through increased tax cuts and besides, everybody knows, old people love coupons.
Perhaps a Schedule Two Roadmap Fix will enlist Groupon to move into the health care field. "Designer Colonoscopies. $2250. ($5,000 Value!) Save 55%. Today Only! Need to pre-sell 2500 by 4 pm." Then we phase in Early-Bird Organ Transplants. And make discounted cardio defibrillators available at your local neighborhood Everything for a Dollar Store.
Cognizant of seniors' tendency to mislay important objects, Ryan thoughtfully unburdens them with having to handle the grubby little coupons physically: those will be given directly to the insurance providers for safekeeping. And when people run out of coupon value, banks could be enlisted to suck out account funds for a nominal transaction fee. You know, for our convenience.
Not everyone is toeing the bright red line down the hall. Newt Gingrich, in an unguarded moment on Meet the Press, called the idea right-wing social engineering, no better than left wing social engineering. And less aerodynamic than single wing engineering. Although, gliding remains his preferred means of transportation.
However, after a spin transfusion in the bowels of a GOP reeducation camp, the Newt recanted, going on to warn that any ad Democrats air using his TV quote is a lie. Which is redundant, because pretty much every ad using any of his quotes is a lie. After all, he is a known politician.
What has the GOP running scared is a recent special election where Democrats hammered the Medicare issue to win a New York Congressional seat that had been in Republican hands since Ichabod Crane ran on the Whig ticket. Guaranteeing that in the next election, every Democrat in every district across the country will revive the NY script, right down to the placement of the colons.
In an attempt to preempt these anticipated attacks, Republicans are demagoguing Democrats for demagoguing them with "Mediscare" tactics. From the same people who accused Obama of creating death panels last year. If the hypocrisy coming out of Washington could be bottled and sold to Los Angeles as a studio lubricant we could pay off the national debt in a week with enough left over for a down payment on Beijing.
Obviously the American voters have the attention span of high-speed lint and it's a long way to the 2012 elections. But you might want to install a protective filter on your TV for the impending tsunami of ads featuring parades of elders being attacked by Paul Ryan's Tax Cut Zombies from the Planet NO! Excuse me while I slip into the fetal position behind the couch under a blanket of coupons for the next 17 months.
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You’re watching and you’re thinking: “Whoa, when did that EVER seem like a good idea? It’s so obvious how this is going to end. He’s going to small into.. ouch”
But while I might muster a little sympathy for someone merely trying to impress his mates, I have no such sympathy for the GOP.
There are nothing less than an extension of billionaire lobbyists, not a political party, professional lobbyists bent on undoing every piece of legislation that keeps them from total control of the populace.
They are in fact enemies of the people, literally.
Wrong. That should read, "which have already been given to the wealthy people."
The republicans and some dems, feigning concern, are looking to heave our tax dollar and equity somewhere directly reflected by gains in their portfolios. They are sucking our equity out of the economy like a tornado, but look where it's landing.
Health is a non-issue. Smirking lackeys of Wall St owners, aren't out for our well being. They are the single most inflators and hoarders of hc dollars. Part of my ins. $ goes to lobby against my own care???
Outcomes aren't important in their decisions, only what is their take-out on the scheme.
We need real representatives to re-invigorate this economy.
The 55 year age limit is a gimmick to try and gain the votes of the elderly who, he hopes, will see that he is "looking out for them" which hoping that the younger voters will either not understand, not care (since it is so far into their personal future), or not be allowed to vote (because of the laws being enacted to keep the young and poor from voting).
As many times as the Republicans claim "mischaracterization", the Democrats should keep stating exactly what the bill is.
Your last point I totally agree with. Even after the whole "death panel" scare when they took the paid for living will consultation the Republicans kept screeching "death panel" they are the demagoguery masters and should have a bit of their own medicine.
I was a Republican long ago and far away, but the Republican party turned into something hideous after Eisenhower.