The American Spectator : Are the Republicans Up to It?

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Are the Republicans Up to It?

By G. Tracy Mehan, III on 3.16.10 @ 6:07AM

Reforming entitlements, not just cutting taxes.

If the Republicans gain ground in the next election, are they up to the task of reforming entitlements in the face of massive baby-boomer retirements?

The Wall Street Journal and Grover Norquist, leaders in supply-side tax-cutting for many years, have castigated any kind of bipartisan commission to address our structural deficits as being a wolf in sheep’s clothing, i.e., a thinly disguised attempt to enact tax increases under the cover of deficit reduction. In the original legislative proposal, similar to previous efforts to close military bases at the end of the Cold War, Congress would be permitted only an up-or-down vote on the entire package without amendment. It would probably include a mix of tax increases, spending cuts and, pray Lord, reforms of entitlements such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Critics of the commission gambit effectively burned the Republicans’ ships behind them, forcing them to pursue only spending and tax cuts as well as entitlement reform, as the means of restoring America’s fiscal integrity. Half a dozen GOP senators, who originally supported the idea, abandoned the legislative attempt to empower such a commission.

The tension underlying our present predicament is illustrated by the alternative visions of optimistic and pessimistic supply-siders in the debate on the right side of the political spectrum.

A huge optimist, Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) has proposed a complete package of financial reforms and tax cuts which even the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has scored as being deficit-neutral.

His is an impressive proposal which was praised by the no-nonsense economics journalist, Robert Samuelson, as a valuable contribution to the debate. It is a package I could vote for. However, given its substantial reduction in benefits and a reliance on vouchers to deliver benefits, it is noteworthy that very few Republican officials have publicly endorsed his proposals, at least during this election year.

Ryan considers himself a second-generation supply-sider who believes that spending reduction has to be part of any serious attempt to deal with the nation’s present plight. This is an encouraging trend. Peggy Noonan recently observed that you don’t hear many Republicans saying that deficits don’t matter anymore.

The pessimistic school of supply-siders is represented by Bruce Bartlett, former staffer for Jack Kemp and a highly regarded economist, whose recent book was reviewed, fairly but critically, for TAS by Philip Klein. Bartlett has zero confidence that the GOP will do anything significant to reduce spending, especially middle-class subsidies, i.e., entitlements. Reviewing the record of George W. Bush and the House Republicans, when they were in charge, he sees ample evidence to the contrary.

Moreover, as Ross Douthat has noted, much of the Republican critique of Obamacare has been of the reduction of benefits for seniors. Notwithstanding the flawed nature of the entire health care legislation, this is hardly a sign that the GOP is willing to pursue such cuts if they get into power. The prospect of senior citizens continuing to tax young workers and families into the ground is very likely, a pessimist might say, no matter what party is in power.

For Bartlett the question isn’t whether or not taxes will be raised. Rather, the fundamental issue is which taxes will be raised. He prefers that future taxes be placed on consumption rather than on income or production, which is orthodox supply-side thinking. He fears that, unless solid alternatives are offered, Congress will be inclined to raise marginal tax rates, capital gains and other incentive-killing taxes. His preferred approach is to adopt a European-style value-added tax. He argues that EU countries actually treat corporations better than does the American system. We already have one of the highest rates for corporate income taxes in the developed world.

So this is the fault line on debt, entitlement, taxes and spending. Assessing the efficacy of both the optimistic and pessimistic schools of thought requires assessing the character of the American people. Will they accept spending and entitlement reductions as much as tax cuts? Will they shoulder more of the burden for their own retirements and health care in return for retaining a greater share of their earnings and control over their own lives?

When was the last time a middle-class entitlement has ever been rolled back?

About the Author

G. Tracy Mehan, III served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the administrations of both Presidents Bush. He is a consultant in Arlington, Virginia, and an adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (96) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

martin j smith| 3.16.10 @ 7:22AM

The answer to this question depends on how Republican leaders communicate with the American people. If they take rounte of GWB,BHO, or JohnMacC( candidate of 2008 ) they will get no where. But
If they talk straight, and come thru as honest ( as far as a politicain can be ) and demonstrate that they are listening to the voters--people will be willing to bear the pain because they have confidence in their leaders. That is crucial.

Gone_Rogue| 3.16.10 @ 6:49PM

SAUDI-WASABI OWNED FOX NEWS AND WALL STREET JOURNAL WAGE JIHAD AGAINST CHRISTIANITY

Saudi Government and Ruport Murdoch Begin Propaganda Campaign against Patriotic Christians!

The 2nd largest share holder of FOX News, the Saudi Wasabi-Islamist Government, has begun the process of attacking the Christian faith by letting their opinion makers like Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck attack our Christian Faith.

By viewing FOX News, you are supporting the Saudi Wasabeeist Government who sent the 17 Saudi hijackers to kill over 3000 people on September 11, 2001.

The goal of the Saudis as I read it years ago, was to own a major news corporation in the USA that would promote attacks against Christianity. Help stop Ruport Murdoch and his Saudi allies by boycotting FOX News, and the Wall Street Journal.

Here is the article on Fox News stance against Christianity.

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs.....ntmessage.

Churches are now urging their members to boycott FOX News and the Wall Street Journal. Ever wonder why you never hear any criticism of the Islamists and Saudi terrorists on FOX News?

In this video, Roger Ailes, CEO of Fox News admits that FOX is biased against Obama and the Democrat Party:

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/.....omplaints/ .

Jeffrey| 3.17.10 @ 10:48AM

Gone: It would help if you were actually a Christian before pretending to be offended by other real Christians. If you were a Christian you would know that God gives His own a bull crap meter to identify fools like you.

Alan Brooks| 3.16.10 @ 8:13PM

No, the Repuglicants are NOT up to it, they are too compromised to reform entitlements.
You need a 3rd party, suckers.

Johnba| 3.16.10 @ 11:26PM

Without a doubt. Sooner or later someone has to tell the truth to the people, and they're already late!

Ret. Marine| 3.16.10 @ 7:48AM

When was the last time a middle-class entitlement was rolled back you ask? In my 58 years of life, I can't think of one. But, this is not to say it is not needed or required for the Country's survival.
It will not be long before the "boomers" will be coming on line for those benefits. How are the pimps (representatives) going to have any sway over their We the People crowds when most understand the political sewage spilling forth from these pimps was never intended to sustain anything, but rather only intended to get their vote.
The problem with most of these pimps is they only consider their intention in the cycles of re-elections. I cannot remember a time when any of them had their feet held to the fire. mr. o is no different, he ran a very deceptive campaign and he's proven he can lie right along with the best of them and this is suppose to be acceptable?, to whom?
I reaching here but, it occures to me the Nations leaders are running short on the integrity, honesty, and straight talk express. two stations past it frankly.
I am not yet convinced of all of the noise coming from the Republican party lately and for a good reason. It's one thing being a conservative Republican, yet another to mount the Republican mantle over one's lodge. One is a fake, the other has good intentions without the political will to implement the necessary changes.
What we have here is nothing short of individuals lacking in the principled department. Untill we reieve MEN/WOMEN of honor, principled in the art of God's laws, not of men, into the body of politic's we will continue down this road to serfdom, slavery and tyrants of the obama type. I talked to a family member just yesterday ( hugh libterds voted for the "one") on this very subject, towards the end I snidely remarked, how that hopey changie thing working out for you? The response was a dial tone, reminded me of this administration, talk all you want, no one is listening and you just can't get anything of value out of them.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.16.10 @ 7:56AM

If our political leaders had any real leadership or courage they would immediately start cutting the budget. That could easily be done by cutting out federal holidays, the size and scope of federal agencies, and simply cut the growth of entitlements. That would be a good start but there is no political courage inside the beltway. It's like a soup bowl full of cowards.

Bram| 3.16.10 @ 8:01AM

Eventually this upside down pyramid will get fixed. Republicans and reasonable Democrats can fix it through legislation, or, there will be another revolution and "entitlements" will be a thing of the past.

If Bruce Bartlett thinks that we will tolerate federal consumption taxes IN ADDITION to income taxes, he is badly mistaken. If he wants to substitute consumption for income taxes, we can talk.

Diana| 3.16.10 @ 8:20AM

I resent "the prospect of senior citizens continuing to tax young workers & families into the ground" bit. Senior citizens were once those young people getting taxed. We didn't have cash for clunkers; we didn't have huge rebates for purchasing a home; we didn't have earned income credit and mortgage bailouts and on and on... We paid for everything we had. We also paid into the Social Security System our entire lives. Now that the time has come to receive our benefits, are we to be denied what is due? Is it our fault that our beloved government has spent us into poverty?

Charles R. Williams| 3.16.10 @ 9:06AM

Yes, Diana it is your fault that our beloved government has spent us into poverty. Mine too for that matter. How long have you been voting?

It was your responsibility to care for your parents when they had to retire. You let the government do it for you. You foolishly accepted a promise from the government that they would take care of you when you retired. A promise that could only be fulfilled if the next generation was willing and able to do it. The numbers didn't add up. They never added up and you chose not to listen to the people who were telling you the hard truth.

Susan| 3.16.10 @ 12:04PM

Mr. Williams,
I don't know about Diana but I have always voted Libertarian. I take care of my parents. I don't count on Social Security but will demand the money back that I paid into it. Most everyone I know as done the same. I never read or listen to the mainstream media (mostly lies) and do research everyday on many subjects - esp those relating to the Constitution, econony, and health care. Have a great day

Bram| 3.16.10 @ 11:09AM

You also didn't hand the feds 40% of your income, the state another 5%.

It was always a con. Now my children will be taxed into poverty unless this is fixed.

Susan| 3.16.10 @ 11:55AM

Here! Here! Diana! I agree with you 100%. I am infuriated when people call Social Security an 'Entitlement'. I have paid into it for many, many years. I have another 10 years of working AND paying into the system. I will demand my Social Security OR everything back that I have paid into it when I retire.
Go after: 'earned income credit' ( a misnomer); Anyone who has been on welfare for more than 5 years (enough time to get on the right track); Government pay and pensions (much more than most private pay/pensions); term limits for Congress - no more than 2 terms in a lifetime; stop all pensions for Congress (where did that come from?); Congressional pay raises/medical/ entertainment pay - the insanity has to stop and Congress won't do it; and so on and so on....

Louis Jenkins| 3.16.10 @ 2:20PM

"If the Republicans gain ground in the next election, are they up to the task of reforming entitlements in the face of massive baby-boomer retirements?"

Answer: No! Entitlement reformation will not be necessary. Baby boomers will die under Obamacare sooner than in the past.

Move over Susan and Diana! I'm in the same boat. I've had the funds stolen from me in the name of SS for years. Instead I could have invested and made a profit or a loss. Whichever. It would be my responsibility. Now I hear rumbling in the District of Criminals that they want my "other" retirement investments. All in the name of spreading the wealth and bailing out the broken finances of this nation. They'd steal or tax the pennies off of my dead grandmother's eyes if she wasn't already buried.

Take it all you thieving, lying, sons of female dogs!! But give back our Constitution!! Don't force good men and women to take it back. Better to die penniless embracing Freedom than to be a slave in Obama's kingdom.

Louis Jenkins| 3.16.10 @ 2:22PM

PS: Shouldn't have mentioned the pennies on grandmother's eyes. They'll dig her up if necessary.

Sandy| 3.16.10 @ 3:35PM

Diana- I understand that you want back what you paid in. I am not so many years away from it being "my turn" to collect back what I paid in. The problem is, the SS and Medicare funds have been bankrupted over many years. It has no money in the lock box, only IOU's. The current administration in Washington has stepped up the spending and borrowing, at a rate that will have deficits for more years than I will be alive. I'm not so sure that the Republicans have the back bone to reform entitlements, but, the day will come, sooner rather than later, when they will have no choice. It really is true that what is happening in Greece today, will be hitting this country in the not to distant future. When the money just isn't there, and items have to be cut, you can bet entitlements will be among those items. You can't get blood out of a stone.

Would you rather see the children and grandchildren have nothing left of their paychecks to even live on? Do they not deserve to work and earn money to buy the things you have been able to buy in your lifetime? To think otherwise is to be resentful and punishing to those that didn't cause this situation.

I believe that the Republicans would be able to reform entitlements. I like Ryans plan. It doesn't pull the rug out from those close to retirement age. It allows the younger generation to accumulate their own old age funds for living and medical care. The entitlement mindset must be broken if the country is to survive economically.

Sam| 3.16.10 @ 7:28PM

Susan, Diana, and whoever else is gonna want social security (and deserves it)-

Then what do we do? How do we reform social security? What is the best way to deal with the problem of way to many seniors and not enough college kids like myself?

chuck| 3.16.10 @ 7:50PM

I'm probably 20 years from retirement, and I firmly believe the SS will be gone by then. Good ridance! I would rather work until my dying breath, then steal from my child and (hopefully someday) grandchildren. Just because 1/3 of my life has been stolen from me, doesn't give me the right to do it to someone else.

Paul| 3.16.10 @ 8:37AM

I been asking myself this question for weeks - if they indeed win big in November, will they have the will to do what's necessary to save the country from socialism and financial ruin? In order to do this, we'll need a great leader who can give a real hope of a beter future and sell the fact that we'll all have to sacrifice for it. Obama asks us to sacrifice but at base we all know it's not for a better future - a better one for him perhaps but certainly not for us. Americans are distinctively independent. I believe we can and will sacrifice to maintain that independence.

Cris Worth| 3.16.10 @ 8:55AM

From a historical perspective the answer is no. Ike did nothing to the New Deal and Nixon/Ford expanded the Great Society. In 1962 entitlement spending consumed 13% of the federal budget - then along came Medicare/Medicaid and today non-discretionary spending consumes 65%, it ain't about to change. The Social Security trust fund is empty - all surplus money gone - in fact it now has to borrow money to pay recipients.

JP| 3.16.10 @ 9:16AM

The problem with Medicare as well as private health care lie in the costs. The costs continue to rise due the way services are provided. It is not just supply and demand, but a huge bureaucracy that has forced itself upon the entire market. Much of the costs came after the "reforms" of the mid 1980s, which fostered in HMOs. Add in additional burdens of the state regulatory boards, and insurance regulators, and it is no surprise why health care costs continue to rise. And of course, one final thing which adds to cost increases in a very big way (about $200 billion per anum) are our medical tort laws.

If Congress were to do anything positive it could do 2 simple things. Remove the anti-trust exemptions for health insurance, and enact a federal tort reform law. Additonally, Congress could create conditions that allow for high risk health pooling, increase the amount of tax deductions for privately purchased health insurance, and HSAs. These simple reforms would drive down health care costs more than anything done in the last 3 decades.

Tenn Slim| 3.16.10 @ 9:57AM

Opine
We wont have to have a commission. The very acts of deficit spending, out of control budgets, and runs on the Treasurey will cause the loss of benefits, entitlement programs demise and the end of the GNP. Doing nothing for years will be and is our undoing. Commissions are simply too little and too late.
Our fate was sealed in the late 60s.
end
Semper Fi
Hide your gold, dollars will be worthless.

S| 3.16.10 @ 10:19AM

the old-fashioned way

Ken (Old Texican)| 3.16.10 @ 10:31AM

Mr. Mehan
You and Mr. Cuccinnelli hit both sides of the same issues. Please indulge the copy/paste

Ken (Old Texican)| 3.16.10 @ 10:28AM
Mr. Cuccinelli, thank you for that.

Please indulge me, I am going to copy paste my comment here...to another article here at AmSpec. today asking "Are Republicans Up to It?"

The two articles are very entwined in my mind.
I will turn 65 this summer. I have also been very fortunate in my career(s) (smile). For one, I am certainly willing to make some sacrifices.

First, I will forego any SS checks for as long as I can work. I do understand actuarial stuff, and I understand that SS is finally, a safety net...a welfare entitlement.
Heh,
It shouldn't be, but my contributions have been robbed instead of generating compound interest for my old age. Just reality.

Second, I would just as soon keep my present HSA and Group health policy for as long as I can work.

In conclusion, the only way the Republicans in power in Congress can cut entitlements significantly...is start with themselves.
Put themselves in the same medical plan we citizens all have.
Base government pensions including their own...on the same basis as ours.

Then, and only then can they do what must be done to preserve liberty and freedom, and restore prosperity and free markets in a pro-business paridigm.

John Navratil| 3.16.10 @ 11:41AM

Ken,

Happy birthday. I'm ten years behind you. I see no way to retire at 65, and don't think I'd really like to.

For all the talk about taxes and how to get them and waste and trimming the budget we lose focus on the fact that the government is just too d*mned big.

For every person removed from a government bureaucracy and set to work in the private sector we lose one consumer of GDP and gain one creator. Let's start with a forced reduction of government employees. With something like 14 million on the government payroll (half of them contractors) even a one-percent reduction would be something.

I'm sure that every one of these jobs is just critical ;) but sometimes the best way to drain a swamp is to drain it.

Petronius| 3.16.10 @ 10:34AM

Too many people in this country view freedom as not having to worry about meeting their own needs. They will be the ruin of us all. Three generations of overgrown children elected this pack of charlatans to subsidize themselves for life. They believe the assets of their betters should be confiscated and given to them. Talk of entitlement reform is futile. Whenever this subject comes up, I declare that entitlements must be Abolished! The only entitlement which is justified at the federal level is for Veterans wounded and disabled in the line of duty. All others should be forcibly removed from the wellfare teats and compelled to become competent Adults.

A| 3.16.10 @ 10:37AM

price

JAH666| 3.16.10 @ 10:49AM

Are Republicans up to it? Are Americans up to it? Do we have the collective will to say no to the allure of entitlements? Writers have been talking about this for months on these sites. Commenters have been adding their two cents as well. The commenters above me in this column, and their opinions, are well known to me; I read them daily. Approximately half of the US electorate is identified as "conservative". About half of the electorate are collecting some sort of benefit or subsidy or direct payment from the government. Our fellow Americans that are used to that government largesse, on the whole, ARE NOT going to be in favor of turning off the spigot. Of the half that are not receiving government money or 'free' services, a great many are boomers (like me and others posting here). Are you fellow boomers willing to say to the government: "This is where it ends!"

Are we as a huge generation of Americans willing to save our country (that is what it comes down to, isn't it) by saying: "Let this madness end with our generation!" How many of us, along with our elected representatives, are willing to forego Social Security, Medicare and other senior citizen entitlements when it is our time. That IS what it would take to stop the entitlement sow from lactating. The baby boom generation (me included, I admit) got us into this mess from the 1960's until today, so we should be the generation that says NO and ends it NOW.

Do we have the guts? I could do it. I've saved and saved for most of my life. I've watched my savings grow and diminish with the economic tides of the last thirty years. I will have to keep working as best I can, probably till I die. I'm willing to say no, even though I've had my hard-earned money taken from me for my entire working life to pay for it. I would rather save my country. Do the rest of my fellow boomers have the courage to say no?

Bram| 3.16.10 @ 1:02PM

I'm in. I'm 43. Stop taxing my savings and I will gladly forego Social Security benefits.

Pingback| 3.16.10 @ 11:06AM

Then what? | Worth Reading links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…2009 February 2009 Meta Register Log in Entries RSS Comments RSS WordPress.org Then what? Posted on March 16th, 2010 by John Crowell Say the Republicans score huge wins in November. Does anything really change in Washington? The pessimistic school of supply-siders is represented by Bruce Bartlett, former staffer for Jack Kemp and a highly regarded economist, whose recent book was reviewed, fairly but…

Northern Rebel| 3.16.10 @ 11:16AM

The answer to the title of this article, is no.

David| 3.16.10 @ 11:30AM

Right on Charles Williams. Yes, Diana, it is our fault. The voters have let the politician steal from us since the New Deal. A "lock box" for social security? Yea, right. The graduated income tax, the Earned Income Tax Credit for people who only want to do the minimum amount of work, etc.

We received a notice from administration at the law firm where I work. It said that by law they were required to notify all employees that they may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. That it is available to millions of low income earners. It also stated not to worry, you can get the EITC ($3 - 4,000 check) and still continue to receive subsidized housing, food stamps, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Women Infants and Children program, free health care at emergency rooms, and about 4 other welfare programs.

Yep Diana, we, the voters, let politicians get away with putting us into this situation.

Brian B| 3.16.10 @ 12:33PM

Mr. Bartlett has become, unfortunately, a bit of a one man tax raising machine. Presently the idea of a large tax increase is incredibly unpopular and the desire for real spending reforms is growing.
Enacting a VAT instead, is the surest way to follow Western Europe down the road of never making the cuts necessary and always trying to tax our way out of things instead.
Greece, Spain and even worse are what await us at the end of Mr. Bartlett's prescription.

Oldefarte| 3.16.10 @ 12:38PM

This is the typical horseexcrement that constantly spews forth concerning budget/debt reductions by governments. Democrats are the worst, constantly proclaiming the law enforcement and schools will be reduced/downsized [on the state/local level]; while national ones propose targets of reductions to our military, and now to Social Security and to Medicare. This is putrid and absurd! Ever hear of eliminating/reducing welfare [food stamps, residential subsidies, payments to Acorn,etc]? What about eliminating foreign aid [where taxpayer dollars go to tin-horned dictators' Swiss bank accounts]? Social Security and Medicare recipients mostly have EARNED these benefits, as they have contributed through their paychecks throughout their working careers for same. Medicaid, on the other hand, is purely welfare, and has never been paid for by its beneficiaries; so why should it not be cut and /or eliminated? Why is it always a WEALTH-TRANFER type benefit that is suggested when governmental budget expenses have to be reduced??????????????????????????????

Michael L. Hauschild| 3.16.10 @ 12:41PM

No, the Republicans cannot do it. The reason for this is that they never have done it, so why would we expect them to suddenly reform. They will “cut taxes” but the taxes will defer, be transferred, or re-created in some other sector. Whenever the country is ready for a “flat tax” and only then will the various problems be addressed in a fair and equitable manner.
Republicans are currently nothing more significant than an elderly Lone Star State blogger lost and driving in circles on the NAFTA highway looking for a John McCain rally. (You can identify the vehicle it has a faded Ross Perot bumper sticker. Heh.)

Margie| 3.16.10 @ 10:11PM

I was really rooting for Steve Forbes back when he was running for President. The flat tax sounded excellent to me. Can you just imagine the good fortune we would have had if his idea could have become the law of the land?

MTM| 3.16.10 @ 12:58PM

So you are a pessimist, eh?

Let me throw a gauntlet to you and all pundits: If the politico-literati spent half as much time trying to convince people to accept a cut in entitlements as they do wringing hands in print about whether they will, then I'd wager the optimist camp would be a great deal larger.

Let's see the rhetorical tour de force making the plea to boomers. Who can expect people to do what they've not been encouraged to do?

Old Guy| 3.16.10 @ 1:03PM

Here's a comment from a senior citizen, now retired for 20+ years. More than a decade ago, as a then member of AARP I suggested that organization support, at least, making the annual cost of living increase in Social Security be "need based" upon other income. I never got a response from the national office. At the Indiana State Fair I approached the AARP booth and made the suggestion in person. The response was brilliant. "If we give them an inch they'll take everything and there won't be any Social Security at all!" Having worked for 40 years around the fringes of (state) government, I am completely convinced that no politician was ever moved to action by being approached with one hand as a fist and the other outstretched, palm up.

Nick| 3.16.10 @ 2:28PM

Old Guy,

I'm curious.
Do you know how long it took you to get back all the money you "put into" Socialist Security?

Old Guy| 3.16.10 @ 3:31PM

No, but what I was able to put into private investment is paying off better now, and I suspect I would be very comfortable now had I added to that what Socialist Security had taken out of my check.

Nick| 3.16.10 @ 4:10PM

Old Guy,

I have no doubt that you would be much wealthier without Socialist Security.

I was just curious if things had changed in the last 20 years.

Back in the late 80's, my great-uncle told my dad that he had gotten back all he had put into SS in a few years. He is still alive.

This is why Socialist Security and Medi-scare are unsustainable.

Old Guy| 3.16.10 @ 7:55PM

Made unfair by paying no interest and unsustainable by the fact that in addition to no interest it was actually spent on other activities More than likely a fraud from its inception since the retirement age of 65 was set while acutarial table indicated a life span of 62-63. No wonder they thought they could spend it safely!

Pingback| 3.16.10 @ 1:09PM

nfl rankings 2009 week 6 | Tennessee Titans NFL Announcer links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…chances of Chris Johnson, who will replace Adrian Peterson as the consensus # 1 fantasy pick next season? See the original post: nfl rankings 2009 week 6 Related Blogs on Are The The American Spectator : Are the Republicans Up to It? Ajaxian » Sputnik gets more tests; How compliant are the browsers? Where are the Women? SUPREME COURT ECONOMIC REVIEW ADDITION (NB … Related Posts nfl rankings 2009 week 6…

Sheila| 3.16.10 @ 1:26PM

As evinced by so many comments above, far too many in this country are in the "victims of Bernie Madoff camp" - they don't give a damn about the country as a whole, they just want to get theirs. I am 51 and do not expect to see a cent in Social Security. My husband has said for years that he'll have to work until he dies. Only since WWII have people entertained the foolish notion that it's others' collective responsibility to care for them in their old age so that they could take cruises, visit casinos, and constantly receive "senior citizen's discounts" that they've earned, darn it all! The last time my husband and I had a real vacation, back in 1992, we were the only people under 50 at any of the hotels and tourist spots we visited. I don't care what anyone has paid into whatever pie-in-the-sky ponzi scheme, it all must end NOW. Commence wailing and gnashing of teeth and "it's my money" cries. Decline and fall.

Sandy| 3.16.10 @ 3:58PM

Great reply Sheila- It's the "I want back what I paid in mentality." I've known a few people who make sure they get their money back that they paid in Insurance premiums also. Homeowners, Auto etc.

I am absolutely against the Healthcare bill on the hot seat right now. One thing I will say, older people must come to grips with the fact that when you get older, things break down, and, your not as spry and feeling like a million bucks every morning when you wake up. Aches and pains are a part of aging. I know, I feel them often. You don't have to run to the doctor every time you sneeze, thinking this may be the big one. I resent olders going to the podiatrist to get their toe nails trimmed on Medicare etc. I know an older that visits her doctor every 2 months, just for a checkup. She has no insurance, just Medicare. That must stop.

Hjaelman Sriggs | 7.8.10 @ 4:06PM

Heavens to Betsy bless you Shiela for telling the plain truth about today's America. It is the WORLD WAR II Greatest Generation that wants its eternal vacation, junket, and cruise all financed on the backs of their children's generation. Heaven forbid anyone say anything bad about these demigods as we all know that it is the bad, bad Baby Boomers who are the source of all the evil in the world.

Pat Spooner| 3.16.10 @ 2:33PM

I'd like to point out one thing folks should not forget - our founding fathers never, never thought that people would become full time permanent politicians while awardinmg themselves perks like they have and huge salaries and retirement benefits. Term limits have to bcome the norm if we are ever to control covernment again.

Pingback| 3.16.10 @ 3:28PM

IT Corner » Blog Archive » The American Spectator : Are the Republicans Up to It? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…and a reliance on vouchers to deliver benefits, it is noteworthy that very few Republican officials have publicly endorsed his proposals, … Go here to read the rest: The American Spectator : Are the Republicans Up to It? « 'It could be war' - Manu Raju - POLITICO.com Jermaine Jackson on Jaafar: It Wasn't a Stun Gun | TMZ.com » This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 16th,…

David Copple| 3.16.10 @ 5:08PM

The American people will support changes if political leaders effectively communicate honestly the rationale and reasons for the changes. Unfortunately partisan back and forth rhetoric and demagoguery will most likely drown out any chance of communicating the need for entitlement reform. Witnessing the phony and arrogant process going on now chiefly on the left in Washington over so-called "healthcare reform" will make average voters even more sceptical when well meaning advocates of entitlement reform try to present honest asseessments and proposals to preserve them. Such an environment will require smart and talented leaders like Paul Ryan to try and communicate through the noise.

Pingback| 3.16.10 @ 6:35PM

Georgia Student Groups to Meet with Political Leaders About Higher … | Educational Ge links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…and tuition increases on the campuses of the … Read the original: Georgia Student Groups to Meet with Political Leaders About Higher … Related Blogs on Are The The American Spectator : Are the Republicans Up to It? Ajaxian » Sputnik gets more tests; How compliant are the browsers? Mr. President, Where are the Jobs ? Related Posts Georgia Students for Public Higher Education to deliver…

Charles Stevens| 3.16.10 @ 6:37PM

How can any opposition to progressivism hope to succeed with a strategy based on "it costs too much"? Of course it costs too much, but this is confusing a symptom with the underlying cause.

You can't possibly expect to win arguments that way. Progressives couldn't care less... they don't think about money as a store of value, they think of it like poker chips, like monopoly money, as simply a psychological tool with which to lead the sheeple around by their collective nose. Every facet of government they build around this approach can blithely ignore fiscal responsibility forever. By basing any opposition upon this thin reed, you automatically buy into the progressive's assumptions!

No wonder the GOP has been losing ground for so many decades!

Gone_Rogue| 3.16.10 @ 6:45PM

Republicans Gone Nuts!

Are there any ideas in the Republican Party that I can look forward to voting for in November,
Besides the circus side show of Massa, Andrew Breitbart, Dick Army, Tom Tancredo, Michael
Steele the Clown, Sarah from Wassila, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush
Limbaugh, Michael Savage, Ann Coulter and the reactionary tea parties?

Google Michael Steele, RCN Leader and I see bickering over his leadership style and wasteful spending within the GOP. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Sarah Palin and the Steele branch of the new GOP leaves nothing to desire.

Google the Republican Healthcare Plan, and I see there will be a push to "repeal" any plan that passes. Off course, we know this is political grandstanding because the Senate will need 67 votes to override a veto by Obama.

Google the Republicans, and I see scare tactics, reactionary incendiary comments about the Democrats. FOX News? All about Eric Massa.

Research on terrorism, and I see Liz Cheney's McCarthyism ad and its backlash.

What contract does the GOP plan to present to the American people in November 2010? What is the GOP plan for the way forward on health care, energy, jobs, environment, Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, infrastructure preservation, and the welfare of the states?

In the short term, the Republicans will see gains, however, without a solid plan to move America forward, I do not see how the GOP expects to win and lead.

It is any wonder, that the silent majority of main stream Republicans like me, are shredding our fund raising letters, and have no plans to vote or will like vote for independent candidates.

Gone_Rogue| 3.16.10 @ 6:47PM

...on another note.....

SAUDI-WASABI OWNED FOX NEWS AND WALL STREET JOURNAL WAGE JIHAD AGAINST CHRISTIANITY

Saudi Government and Ruport Murdoch Begin Propaganda Campaign against Patriotic Christians!

By viewing FOX News, you are supporting the Saudi Wasabeeist Government who sent the 17 Saudi hijackers to kill over 3000 people on September 11, 2001.

Here is the article on Fox News stance against Christianity.

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs.....ntmessage.

Churches are now urging their members to boycott FOX News and the Wall Street Journal. Ever wonder why you never hear any criticism of the Islamists and Saudi terrorists on FOX News?

In this video, Roger Ailes, CEO of Fox News admits that FOX is biased against Obama and the Democrat Party:

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/.....omplaints/ .

Nick| 3.16.10 @ 7:58PM

Oh goody!

I'm contributing to the jihad right now!

I wonder what my priest will say about that?

Ken (Old Texican)| 3.16.10 @ 7:59PM

Gone rouge, hello.
Do you have your makeup on?
IFOTFL at you.

Thank you. We needed a good laugh.

chuck| 3.16.10 @ 9:38PM

i put in a request to George Soros yesterday for a smarter troll, and I guess Gone Rogue is the best he can do. Looks like they're scraping the barrel over at troll cenral.

Margie| 3.16.10 @ 10:18PM

Guess so, chuck. I think Gone Rogue is at heart a Third Party Hopeful Thinker. TPHT. There. I just coined a new term. Try to make the Republican party the ee-vil bad guys so that we won't vote, or vote turd party.
No way Jose!
We (or at least I) don't want Obama II!

Jeffrey| 3.17.10 @ 11:04AM

Gone:
A little help for little Nickie here;
If you want to get across a big lie don't quote from thinkprogress or newsweek those are dead giveaways. Learn from Obamalier, quote your grandmother or some woman with cancer or even make up some foggy source. That is how effective liars do it.
Learn from your father the devil and use 98% truth and just a little tiny bit of cyanide, just enough to get the job done.
You have a long way to go but if you practice more I'm sure you'll succeed in fooling someone.

Nick| 3.17.10 @ 11:10AM

Jeffrey,

That was sarcasm!

Pingback| 3.17.10 @ 7:23AM

How to get a bank loan? | Property Investment Croatia | Tripleloan … | Investment Fin links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…average Croat has to offer to get a loan for an apartment? Read the rest here: How to get a bank loan? | Property Investment Croatia | Tripleloan … Related Blogs on Are The The American Spectator : Are the Republicans Up to It? Ajaxian » Sputnik gets more tests; How compliant are the browsers? Related Posts Renovation Is A Great Investment | Tripleloan – The Loan Network … Turkey borrowed €2.…

Pingback| 3.17.10 @ 10:38AM

The American Spectator : Are the Republicans Up to It? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…to do this, we’ll need a great leader who can give a real hope of a beter future and sell the fact that we’ll all have to sacrifice for it. View original post here: The American Spectator : Are the Republicans Up to It? Leave a Reply Click here to cancel reply. Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) Website 'American Idol' Dad Takes On Gillibrand for Senate Seat (20)…

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