BREAKING: House Republicans Overwhelmingly Vote To Phase Out Medicare

[Hissyspit]

http://thinkprogress.org/?p=158765

BREAKING: House Republicans Overwhelmingly Vote To Phase Out Medicare
When President Obama proposed ensuring affordable health care to all Americans, Congress spent a year hashing out how best to achieve this goal. Yet when Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) decided that he wanted to phase out Medicare, the GOP-controlled House took only two weeks to debate and pass this radical proposal. This afternoon, House Republicans overwhelming endorsed his plan to eliminate Medicare, slash education, and jack up the middle class’ taxes. 235 Republicans supported the Medicare elimination bill, with just 4 GOPers casting a vote to leave Medicare unmolested:

The centerpiece of the House Republicans’ plan is a proposal that repeals traditional Medicare and replaces it with a health insurance voucher that loses its value over time. Because the value of the Republicans’ privatized Medicare replacement does not keep up with the cost of health care, their plan will gradually eliminate Medicare because its increasingly worthless vouchers will eventually only cover a very tiny fraction of the cost of a health insurance plan.

Seniors will feel the effect of the GOP’s draconian plan long before it succeeds in phasing out Medicare. According to the CBO, total health care expenditures for a typical 65-year-old “would be almost 40 percent higher with private coverage under the GOP plan than they would be with a continuation of traditional Medicare” in the very first year that the GOP plan goes into effect:

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[dflprincess]

1. Where are the Teabaggers screaming for the government to

keep its hands off their Medicare now?

[Bok_Tukalo]

7. Oh, they get to keep their Medicare

So .... no problem. They got theirs.

[Trekologer]

16. If the GOP wants to end Medicare, the Dems should force them to end it for everyone

None of this, if you get it now you keep it. If they want to get rid of it, get rid of it. Turn it into a voucher system TODAY. And watch the old people revolt.

[Enthusiast]

29. Some of us aren't that old. nt

[sabrina 1]

38. They've been challenged to do that. I saw one of them on

MSNBC talking about how it would only affect people under 55. He was asked, 'why wait, if it's such a good plan, why not do it NOW'? And he was also asked how waiting so long would do anything for the current situation. He mumbled and really looked foolish.

That is definitely the way to challenge them. Dare them to do it NOW. But we know they will not as it would cost them the election.

So, on the one hand they claim that we are in an emergency, and that messing with Medicare will help get us out.

But the fact that they won't do it NOW shows their hypocrisy. I think they should be challenged every day with that question. They really do not want to answer it.

[Demoiselle]

39. Yeah, I saw that.

Chris Matthews asked his guest, an idiot Republican whose name I've blanked on, that question. The guy was completely stumped.
Good one, Tweetie. I'm beginning to like you.

[polichick]

2. This op title should be made into a TV ad asap!

[jaysunb]

11. Excellent framing

:thumbsup:

[bif]

3. When is America going to wake up?

I've never seen such a massive screwing like this before. Are they totally blind?

[11 Bravo]

4. It'll be shit-canned in the Senate.

[Angry Dragon]

5. Why do they hate Americans so much??

[cutlassmama]

12. because it affects everyone else and not them.

[cutlassmama]

13. because it affects everyone else and not them.

[Chef Eric]

34. Because it's profitable. The insurance industry pays them to hate Americans. nt

[opihimoimoi]

6. Hugh Miztake.....gonna regret this....Pelosi is gonna make a comeback thanks to this vote

The Senate will remain BLUE as the oddities of the GOPer Party emerge negatively.

Baggers experiencing Amateur Blues....not ready for anything.

[louis-t]

8. And with that, the republic party dooms itself to another 40 years

in the minority.

[Juche]

24. Not going to happen

Not to be a dick, but I remember all the anti-GOP sentiment that built up under Bush, only to be wiped away in 2010 when the GOP not only took over the federal house, but various state legislatures and governorships.

The least informed 10-20% of the electorate decide elections since they are the ones who understand their own views and the views of the parties enough to have any firm ideas. So hoping people will remember abuses for more than 1 election cycle is too optimistic.

[onehandle]

9. My mother would have died years earlier without Medicare. nt

[DCKit]

10. We should insist that, if they're going to do it, that they implement these cuts immediately.

2012 would be a massacre for the Republicans.

[GoCubsGo]

15. Probably not necessary.

Most people seem to get their news in soundbites. All they are going to hear is "Republicans cut Medicare." Most won't be bothered with the details.

[gateley]

19. I fear all they will hear is "We'll get a voucher to pay for our healthcare!" nt

[DCKit]

20. Thus pitting the already sick against those who believe they're immortal.

Those, specifically, in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s who have, so far, enjoyed good health, and see no reason for that to change. Even when they're "old".

No matter how "good" it may look for the Republics, further splits are in the works.

Just wait until the distribution of Rascal scooters is eliminated... riots in their driveways. Maybe even down the block.

[Enthusiast]

31. Also

"It will be so much better than a government run plan!"

[Morning Dew]

35. And they love those vouchers... it will be like school vouchers

If you are wealthy, your costs will be defrayed. If you aren't, you are shit outta luck.

[spanone]

14. not ONE democrat voted for the ryan fiasco....B R A V O!!!

[Scurrilous]

17. K & R

:thumbsup:

[gateley]

18. Have they read the polls? Do they think they can convince these people that

a "voucher" is just as good?

We have some educating to do!

[SpiralHawk]

21. Why do Republicons hate America's elders?

We already know that Republicons hate America's children...now they are expanding the range of their hate...

[tomp]

22. so let me guess.

the senate will pass a different version and it will end up in reconciliation and medicare will get cut someway somehow and everyone will claim a victory.

the fact that the repubs are in sufficient numbers in the house to do this tells you all you need to know about the democratic party.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

23. Ryan the Assassin.

[IDemo]

25. Looks like Grayson was right:

[dana_b]

26. yep!

they and their families won't have to worry about it so "fuck the rest of you" is their attitude. Death panels, indeed.

[Sadie5]

28. Tar, feathers and old sparky

seems to be just what they need right now. 2012 ought to be interesting along with the fact that they refuse to tax their rich corporate pals.

[moondust]

27. Sociopaths and misanthropes.

Greed-induced ripping and clawing at life support systems for millions.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

30. Doesn't this have to pass the Senate and the President before it goes into effect?

I mean, this won't even COME UP in the senate. They just wasted all of their time for nothing.

[Turbineguy]

32. BREAKING: Americans

Overwhelmingly Vote To Phase Out Republican Party.

[Lindsey]

33. Thank you for saying what I was thinkingYellowRubberDuckie. n/t

[lovuian]

36. this will do the Republicans in the old folks are not going to

be happy

[earcandle]

37. SO no more Medicare deductions from our payroll checks? Or our self employment taxes?

[Rex]

40. If these idiots get voted in again then we really must be a nation

of idiots and fools. Want to vote against your own best interests? Vote republican! They are working hard at getting rid of every social safety net except for one - the corporate safety net.