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This seems to be becoming a weekly story given how often Democrats seem to be silent now on the things President Obama is doing while they crucified President Bush for attempting to do some of the same things.
This time it is the sacred cow of Medicare, Bloomberg reports:
June 12 (Bloomberg) — Health-care overhaul legislation being drafted by House Democrats will include $600 billion in tax increases and $400 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel said.
Democrats will work on the bill’s details next week as they struggle through “what kind of heartburn” it will cause to agree on how to pay for revamping the health-care system, Rangel, a New York Democrat, said today. The measure’s cost is reaching well beyond the $634 billion President Barack Obama proposed in his budget request to Congress as a 10-year down payment for the policy changes.
Asked whether the cost of a health-care overhaul would be more than $1 trillion over a decade, Rangel said, “the answer is yes.” Some Senate Republicans, including Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, say the costs will likely exceed $1.5 trillion.
Some $400 billion cuts, you say? Luckily YouTube exists to keep things in check. Here is a compilation put together of Democrat outrage over the years when President Bush proposed cutting less than one-tenth of what the Democrats are proposing now:
Hot Air comments:
When George Bush tried to tackle escalating Medicare and Medicaid costs and a looming entitlement catastrophe with modest funding cuts in both terms in office, Democrats screeched about seniors losing health care and pronounced Bush’s efforts dead on arrival on Capitol Hill. Now, with Barack Obama in the White House, Democrats have suddenly gone mute as the administration proposes to cut hundreds of billions from both programs.
Again, what I find most fascinating, is that the government is incapable of running the programs we already have and liberal Democrats want even more in the form of a government health insurance plan. Medicare is going bankrupt and will require $600 billion in new taxes. Think you’re not going to be paying for that? Think again, my friend. We will all be paying for it through the nose and we will all be paying for government health insurance through the nose if it ever passes, God forbid.
Seems that cutting entitlement programs is fine when the cutter has a (D) next to his or her name. In that case, they’re being fiscally responsible. If you have an (R) next to your name and you try to cut Medicare, well it’s because you hate the elderly.
This isn’t to say that cuts aren’t need because they clearly are. I just find it important to point out that fiscal responsibility is inconvenient at times for Democrats if they are not in the White House.
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I wonder if Republicans are ever hypocritical???
Yes, in fact they are. Look at years of wasteful spending under Bush while Republicans were supposed to be the party of limited government.
However, let us not point to bad behavior to justify other bad behavior. Let us chastise all bad behavior and demand better.
actually you are not chastising bad behavior… as you said, “This isn’t to say that cuts aren’t need because they clearly are.”
Seems like you agree with the behavior of Democrats.
I guess you, “just find it important to point out that fiscal responsibility is inconvenient at times for Democrats if they are not in the White House.”
It is just interesting that you did this entire piece to only point out that hypocrisy on one side and not the other. It is called Bias.
Still, I agree with you, Nate. We should be discussing the cuts and the reform not the hypocrisy that a two party system causes.
Look at all the jobs he has created.
Well at least Obama is living up to his promises ?? People making least than $250,000 will not be taxed higher !! When Bush tax expires, not renewing is not raising taxes ?? Cutting Medicare is not raising taxes. Energy tax is not income tax. cig tax is not income tax, etc..
Cutting medicare to help pay for social health care..Obama is smart. Let medicare patients pay for illegals health insurance. Yes, Obama is smart.. Yes, rich are going to pay.
jd
…” hypocrisy that a two party system causes.”
hy·poc·ri·sies
1: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not ; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion
2: an act or instance of hypocrisy
Two party system causes hypocrisy. What a redicules statement.
“actually you are not chastising bad behavior… ”
I am chastising their hypocrisy on the matter. Did you watch the video of them crying over Bush’s proposed cuts? Sheesh..
I agreed with Bush on cutting, and agree they need to be cut further. However, they want $600 billion in tax increases to $400 billion cuts. Plus, I have disdain for politicians who now are fine with cuts yet they criticized Bush for the very same thing. I guess the Democrats won’t be running ads about how Obama hates senior citizens like they did against Bush.
The bottom line, that you always ignore, is the continued illustration of the failure of government social programs. The facts speak for themselves, as do the failures.
Furthermore, I will forever continue to point out hypocrisy with regard to political decisions. It helps to show how politically-driven the Dems were as they criticize Bush in the video above, they just wanted to use it as a campaign tool though they knew the cuts needed to happen.
“It is just interesting that you did this entire piece to only point out that hypocrisy on one side and not the other. It is called Bias.”
It’s more interesting that you don’t care about hypocrisy when there is a (D) next to it and will excuse it every chance you get.
Plus, I am speaking of relevant, current issues. I am not going to go back months and years for every single story to illustrate what is happening right now. Get over it already.
hey, I am just looking forward for you to post and article about the the proposed cuts and taxes for the healthcare reform so we can discuss the issues and not your continuous commentaries.
We have gotten the point… Democrats are hypocrites, Obama is socialism, and anyone who agrees with either of them are drinking kool-aid.
Just suggesting that you move on to real material instead of repeating the same thing over and over again. Don’t be offended, I know you would do the same thing for me.
JD
Nate’s article_”June 12 (Bloomberg) — Health-care overhaul legislation being drafted by House Democrats will include $600 billion in tax increases and $400 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel said”
Gee Jd_ June 12 article. that’s fairly new, right ?
“Just suggesting that you move on to real material instead of repeating the same thing over and over again”.
Seems like real material… Don’t see where ‘entitlement cuts’ has been repeated here over and over.
I would like to say something nice about Obama. But darn he hasn’t done anything that deserves it.
Let me know when he does. You know, something he does you like might work.
“Just suggesting that you move on to real material instead of repeating the same thing over and over again.”
Coming from you, I’ll take “real material” to mean ignoring everything Democrats do and looking the other way every time Obama fails since that is what you’re famous for doing.
Don’t blame me for pointing out Obama’s socialist, progressive policies and how they’re failing. Blame him for creating them.
When you can’t defend the liberal angle of the story, you attack me for posting it. It’s become very apparent as your standard operating procedure and is a running joke.
I know you can’t defend that video of Dems bashing Bush for doing the same thing Obama’s doing, you don’t have to. However, don’t get mad at me for posting it. Let the chips fall where they may.
JD Nov 4th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
“This entire election has been one big smear campaign against Obama. I am glad we are done with it.”
You are right jd, we no longer “smear”. Well, You may believe stating facts is smearing though… Funny how many of the things we said back then came to pass. Maybe Nate will write another ” continuous commentaries” about that.
If the government is planning on socialized health care for all citizens, what would be the point of medicaid and medicare? They would be covered even if medicaid and medicare was abolished wouldn’t they?
I personally don’t care about government hypocrisy. As long as your desires are filled, who cares about hypocrisy? It’s never going away anyway, why complain?
It’s like nurses complaining about drug seeking patients. There will always be drug seeking patients, so long as physician prescribe narcotics like Hershey sells chocolate. I myself research and provide patients with information on the detriment of ingesting narcotic medications rather then complain amongst my colleague about patients seeking the narcotics. Many patients had no idea that the prolonged use of their prescribed narcotics cause them to have small bowel obstructions which leads to surgery that I sometimes think physician do purposely to throw their G.I. colleagues some business.
Kendale Sturdivent
“I personally don’t care about government hypocrisy. As long as your desires are filled, who cares about hypocrisy? It’s never going away anyway, why complain?”
If I receive gratification then everything is alright. Appease the masses by word but follow your plan in deed. The
end result justifies the means.
A man is worth garbage if his word is not his bond. Not to say a reasonable person can not change his mind. That person does not lock his reasoning in a vault. Instead he explains himself as a MAN and is not a leaf that gets blown with shifting winds.
Obama paid close attention to polls and adjusted stance for votes. Am afraid Jimmy Stewart would not play him in a movie.
“It’s never going away anyway, why complain?”.
A drop of water becomes a puddle, becomes a small stream then river that flows to Ocean.
I wonder if recent visit by our representative to China is not a reason for this. Student laughter at our man when he discussed economics. In private talks with a leader I think China might have given stern warning to America.
Dollar was up today but don’t know how it closed. Certainly vast majority of our bad spending debt has not been spent. And major loans to a few of banks are being payed back.
Though this is speculation, I have some hope is true and China did us a favor, pressing our “present” President to strategy of our great Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Regan. Tax cuts along with smaller government. Let government revenues increase with business growth thus lowering unemployment with real jobs not artificial government hand-outs.
If Obama’s massive world breaking spending can be stopped and Bush cuts in Medicare passes much of Bush’s debt could be eliminated (guessing.Don’t have numbers.) Such actions would unleash our economy into recovery Bush began without Obama’s interfering $ Trillions debt.
“64% Say Comedians Shouldn’t Joke about Children of Public Figures”
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
“The feud between late-night talk show host David Letterman and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is no laughing matter. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telelphone survey finds that nearly two-thirds of American adults (64%) say it’s inappropriate for comedians like Letterman to joke about the children of public figures.”
I never thought about joking about Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Bush, or Obama’s childern. Is sad only 64% agree with me
http://www.rasmussenrepor.....ic_figures
“80% Want Government To Sell Stake In GM, Chrysler Right Now”
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
“Eighty percent (80%) of U.S. voters want the government to sell its stake in General Motors and Chrysler as soon as possible.”
http://www.rasmussenrepor....._right_now
I agree with that 64% Bill. Degrading the children of public figures is shameful. It’s one of earliest offenses I took to Rush Limbaugh, who once joked that then 13-year-old Chelsea Clinton was the white house dog.
This stuff happens on all sides, and it’s always inappropriate. But it will probably never really stop either, so I try not to get too worked up over it. Media clowns will be media clowns.
If Rush said that it was wrong. Wrong is wrong no matter the person. It can be forgiven if person amits mistake and does better. The night time host I spoke of made a joke in apolize I heard. I learned today he has given a better apolize statement. I have not heard it, just heard it on Fox.
Just heard his being sorry from last night show. And will do better and not do such things in future. Sarah accepted it.
That seems fair although late. I believe what he said unless proven otherwise
June 16, 2009
“Dr. Coburn Releases Stimulus Oversight Report”
“Ten examples of wasteful stimulus projects in the report include”:
”
1. $1.5 million in “free” stimulus money for a new wastewater treatment plant results in higher utility costs for residents of Perkins, Oklahoma.
2. $1 billion for FutureGen in Mattoon, Illinois is the “biggest earmark of all time” for a power plant that may never work.
3. $15 million for “shovel-ready” repairs to little-used bridges in rural Wisconsin are given priority over widely used bridges that are structurally deficient.
4. $800,000 for little-used John Murtha Airport in Johnstown, Pennsylvania airport to repave a back-up runway; the ‘Airport for Nobody’ Has Already Received Tens of Millions in Taxpayer dollars.
5. $3.4 million for a wildlife “eco-passage” in Florida to take animals safely under a busy roadway.
6. Nevada non-profit gets $2 million weatherization contract after recently being fired for same type of work.
7. $1.15 million for installation of a new guard rail for the non-existent Optima Lake in Oklahoma.
8. Nearly $10 million to renovate an abandoned train station that hasn’t been used in 30 years.
9. 10,000 dead people get stimulus checks, but the Social Security Administration blames a tough deadline.
10. Town of Union, New York, encouraged to spend a $578,000 grant it did not request for a homelessness problem it claims it does not have. “
http://coburn.senate.gov/.....77a00a8a9d
“Obama to extend benefits to gay federal workers”
By PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer Philip Elliott, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON – “President Barack Obama plans to extend health care and other benefits to the gay and lesbian partners of federal employees. White House officials say Obama plans to announce decision on Wednesday in the Oval Office.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/a.....y_benefits
“Dems seek to trim health bill as estimates soar”
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent David Espo, Ap Special Correspondent – 1 min ago
WASHINGTON –” Jolted by cost estimates as high as $1.6 trillion, Senate Democrats agreed to scale back planned subsidies for the uninsured and sought concessions totaling hundreds of billions of dollars from private industry Tuesday to defray the cost of sweeping health care legislation. At the same time, key Democrats disagreed openly among themselves over a proposed tax on health insurance benefits to pay for expanding coverage to the uninsured.”
“And a compromise with Republicans over a role for government in the insurance marketplace remained elusive.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/a.....h_overhaul
$3.4 million for a wildlife “eco-passage” in Florida to take animals safely under a busy roadway.
Wow that is a lot of money, I mean the cause is good, but does it really cost that much?
WASHINGTON – “President Barack Obama plans to extend health care and other benefits to the gay and lesbian partners of federal employees. White House officials say Obama plans to announce decision on Wednesday in the Oval Office.”
Many employers, for a loooong time, have given health care benefits to significant others. At least 15 or 16 states recognize common law marriage, though it is for heterosexuals I believe in all of those states. Here in Florida, the store Target gives medical/dental benefits to it’s employees significant others. I am all for it. If people are living as a married couple and filing joint tax returns then why not extend employee benefits to the significant other?
Bill,
See, when government is willing to work together on something, it may turn out to benefit all. Decrease the cost of health reform and satisfy conservatives views of government power over health care. I figured it was a matter of time before that health care reform mess would begin working itself out. All it takes is a little faith and people willing to discuss rather than p*ss and moan about it.
Bill……………That move by the President toward the gay community is to cover his butt for his not doing anything in other areas for them.
Kendale Sturdivent
If company gives unmarried couples, rather straight or gay, their insurance, I am all for it.
“eco-passage” is cool, but not at that cost. In my State they lower speed and post signs. Common sense cannot be thrown out the window.
You may be right that they work it out. It would be a first in the world. Judging by their record, I don’t believe it. I’m sure they will work out a plan, but overruns in breaking England. And not all will be covered under our plan. At least that is what I heard tonight.
Hillary was given budget of $100,000 to work out plan under her husband. She spent $13.7 million. Plus broke the SUNSHINE LAW. She is a lawyer.
I posted their plan. Have you read it.
DDMao
I agree. Did you hear the latest…California, as of now, will not be bailed out by Obama. I think they want like $17 Billion. Ca. was a big Obama State as you know. Big union, Black, and gay population. However, if he gives in to them, think of all the other States that will have their hands out.
I believe China has warned him. China does not want to be paid back in inflated dollars. And we are headed there.
Health care is 15% of national budget, Obama is going to steal from it as money was stolen from Social Security. I call it a pyramid caper. We know where that ends.
Only 5% of Obama stimulas package has been spent, what awakes us ?