The choice between low taxes vs. Medicare benefits (LA Times Op-Ed)

[pinto]

Doyle McManus: The choice between low taxes vs. Medicare benefits

Rep. Paul Ryan's budget proposal makes it clear that you have to make a choice: low taxes or guaranteed Medicare coverage.

By Doyle McManus
April 7, 2011

Rep. Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Budget Committee, won praise from his fellow Republicans this week for proposing a federal budget that would reduce the deficit by slashing spending in almost every domestic program.

Some of the praise was exaggerated; Ryan's plan has holes in it, just like President Obama's budget. Ryan proposes an overhaul of the tax code, but doesn't offer any specifics except for lower tax rates. It doesn't suggest any fixes for Social Security, even though he says fixes are needed.

But on one major point, Ryan has done a great service. He has made it clear that if you're serious about cutting the federal deficit, you have to make a choice: low taxes or guaranteed Medicare coverage. You can't have both.

<snip>

With no increases in tax revenue on the table, Ryan balances the budget with exactly one tool: deep cuts in domestic spending (though he spares the defense budget).

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http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-mcmanus-column-ryan-budget-20110407,0,679456.column

[Skittles]

1. I don't understand

why is Medicare on the table but useless, senseless wars are not?