Shooting for another accomplishment, if the reporting is correct, Pres. Obama expects his “broader deal” bravery to impress Independents, while Democrats nod seriously saying, “It had to be done.” As for what Republicans will give in return, “Aides to Mr. Boehner said that no tax increases were on the table and that he had not agreed to the expiration of any tax cuts.”
As part of his pitch, Obama is proposing significant reductions in Medicare spending and for the first time is offering to tackle the rising cost of Social Security, according to people in both parties with knowledge of the proposal. The move marks a major shift for the White House and could present a direct challenge to Democratic lawmakers who have vowed to protect health and retirement benefits from the assault on government spending.
“Obviously, there will be some Democrats who don’t believe we need to do entitlement reform. But there seems to be some hunger to do something of some significance,” said a Democratic official familiar with the administration’s thinking. “These moments come along at most once a decade. And it would be a real mistake if we let it pass us by.”
Another instrument of Obamanomics that will bring a fundamental shift away from Democratic Party principles and philosophy that can never be recovered once gone.
No one can say I didn’t warn you, going back to 2007, with this tease offered recently to get the uninitiated prepared.
“With Social Security, it’s just a matter of tweaking how it currently works.” – Pres. Obama
Ah, yes, tweaking. You can almost here the applause, followed by utterances of “Pres. Obama’s so moderate.”
Confirmation from the New York Times:
The president’s renewed efforts follow what knowledgeable officials said was an overture from Mr. Boehner, who met secretly with Mr. Obama last weekend, to consider as much as $1 trillion in unspecified new revenues as part of an overhaul of tax laws in exchange for an agreement that made substantial spending cuts, including in such social programs as Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security — programs that had been off the table.
Pres. Obama’s rightward shift has set up a situation that allows him a chance to play for history. If he succeeds, with Social Security becoming part of the debt ceiling deal, can’t you already imagine Pres. Obama being hailed for doing it? The traditional media will fall over themselves to praise his seriousness. He will also have out played Paul Ryan on audacious idiocy.
In November 2008, the conservatives were gasping for air. Pres. Obama has become the wind beneath their wings.
As for the New Deal Democratic Party, say goodnight, Gracie.
Comments are closed.