The American Spectator : A Bump in the Roadmap

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A Bump in the Roadmap

By W. James Antle, III on 5.26.11 @ 6:09AM

But it could get worse if Republicans send Paul Ryan down the road by himself.

On Tuesday, Republicans lost a special congressional election in New York. Yesterday the Senate voted down the House GOP budget 40-55, with seven Republican senators defecting. The conventional wisdom holds that there is a causal relationship between these two events. Has House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's Path to Prosperity instead driven Republicans down the road to ruin?

First, some perspective is in order. The NY-26 race featured a former Buchanan Republican turned Democrat turned Tea Party independent Jack Davis. Davis has spent millions in three recent congressional campaigns. Running on conservative themes, he took 9 percent of the vote this time around.

"If anyone can find a race next year with a similar configuration, be my guest and apply the 'lessons learned' from this race to that one," warned political prognosticator Charlie Cook before the special election. "But implying that the outcome of this race portends anything about any conventional race next year amounts to cheap spin and drive-by 'analysis' of the most superficial kind, which is sadly becoming all too prevalent in Washington."

Republicans fared poorly in special elections throughout 2009 and 2010. The two most prominent exceptions -- Charles Djou winning a House seat in Hawaii due to Democratic divisions and Scott Brown beating one of the most inept Democratic campaigns in Massachusetts history to claim Ted Kennedy's old Senate seat -- portended nothing for the November results in those states. New York, with its dismal state GOP, was the Republicans' worst state for special elections during that period. Yet Republicans still gained 63 House seats in the national midterms.

Saying that the Democratic spin is wildly overblown is not the same thing as saying Republicans have no Medicare problem, however. The final Sienna Institute poll showed that 21 percent of voters in NY-26 considered Medicare their top issue. Among independents, it was about one in four.

At eight points, the Democrats' Medicare advantage with independents was significant but not overwhelming. Yet pre-Ryan, Medicare wasn't showing up alongside jobs, the economy, and the deficit as one of the primary voting issues in many recent competitive elections. GOP heiress Jane Corwin hemorrhaged downscale conservative voters to Jack Davis' -- and ultimately Democrat Kathy Hochul's -- benefit.

The very next day, Paul Ryan was up with a video forcefully defending his Medicare reforms. "The president's plan," he says by way of contrast, "is to let a panel of 15 unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats decide how much, or how little, Medicare will pay doctors and which services Medicare will, or will not, pay doctors to provide for their patients." Under the Republican plan, Ryan argued, "Patients will have the freedom to choose from a list of guaranteed coverage options -- the same kind of system members of Congress enjoy today."

"The urgent need to reform Medicare and the president's misguided approach have left us with a serious question to ask: Who should be making health-care decisions for you and your family?" Ryan concludes. "A government monopoly and a panel of bureaucrats in Washington DC? Or you?"

But where is the rest of the GOP, starting with the candidate beaten in NY-26? After the House and Senate votes on the budget, this is no longer the Ryan plan. With fewer than a dozen exceptions in both houses, this is the congressional Republicans' plan. Instead of helping to make these arguments, they are increasingly backing away (including, arguably, the House Ways and Means chairman whose tax cut ideas have become one of the plan's chief political vulnerabilities).

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's particularly clumsy and obnoxious disavowal is only the most prominent example. But even the conservative pushback against Gingrich misses the point. The main objective is to present an alternative to the Democrats' plan of dealing with Medicare by raising taxes and rationing care. Neither throwing Ryan under the bus nor canonizing every technical detail of a budget that cannot currently pass is the way to advance this goal.

Voters fear the complexity of the Ryan-crafted budget and are susceptible to Democratic claims that Medicare is being cut for no other purpose than to cut taxes for the wealthy. "Let's throw together tax subsidies, incredibly complicated health insurance products, customers who are going senile, and corporations staffed by bright MBAs with spreadsheets," quips conservative blogger Steve Sailer. "What could possibly go wrong?"

Yet the Republican budget polls much better when voters understand why the reform is being undertaken and what safety nets remain in place. Some say that suggests Ryan should run for president, since he is the only one who can explain his plan. A better solution is for Republicans to get serious and avoid the mistakes of the Clinton- and Obama-era health care debates.

Republicans were very effective in railing against the Clinton and Obama health care plans, and could be equally effective in attacking the Democrats' new plan for dealing with Medicare. The Independent Payment Advisory Board will likely prove as unpopular as any "death panel." Raising middle-class taxes to fund uncertain middle-class retirement benefits will probably also be a nonstarter.

In the long run, however, you can't beat something with nothing. Few Republicans thought seriously about health care even when they were fighting Democratic plans at the federal level. They confined themselves to scoring cheap points that would come back to haunt them later -- "get the government's hands off my Medicare" -- or embracing watered-down versions of the Democratic proposals. (Witness all those Republican presidential candidates with a history of advocating an individual mandate.)

With no Republican interest in the issue, it was inevitable that the Democrats would eventually gain enough power to deal with health care on Democratic terms. On Medicare, Paul Ryan is trying to prevent this history from repeating itself. But he can't do it alone.

About the Author

W. James Antle, III is associate editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Jimantle.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (93) | Leave a comment

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 5.26.11 @ 6:31AM

The Republicans were foolish to touch Medicare. With Obamacare it was finished anyway.

They would take more ground by proposing job legislation. Yeah, I know. The government can't jobs.

They can't create health care either but that hasn't stopped either party from creating this mess.

The Republicans better jump on jobs and quick. For once, they can take the high ground.

Cosmo| 5.26.11 @ 6:35AM

Yes, very foolish to bring this up.
1) Why is the budget a one-man show. Ryan is soft on Tarp, bailouts, 2010 budget, etc.
2) Budget should be presented in 12 different appropriation bills, using committee chairmen.
3) This just gives Obama a target to shoot at, he should be forced to defend Obamacare.
4) Forget the 10-20 year bogus projections. Tell us what you are going to cut this year as opposed to last year...One year at a time, boys.
5) Make Michelle Bachmann Speaker and get rid of useless Boehner.

Negro X| 5.26.11 @ 6:28PM

Cosmo, I agree, nothing but do nothing posturing by both sides in order to maintain the status quo.

Timothy L. Pennell| 5.26.11 @ 8:31AM

I disagree. They did the right thing. They did what they SAID they would do. They put out a Plan, as opposed to the LEFT, who did nothing, because they have no Plan.
Ryan, and the Republicans, distinguished themselves, by being HONEST. By being unafraid to speak the TRUTH, about what is to come.
They should just EXPLAIN the Ryan Plan. Enough with the idea that, the American People are SMART. They're not. Flip through a T.V. Guide. Go to RUTGERS and watch SNOOKIE give the Commencement Speech. Look who's in the White House.
The American people need to be TAUGHT what's REALLY in this Plan. They need to be REMINDED that the President, and his sycophants in Congress, have NO Plan. And NO PLAN will make Medicare disappear.
This doesn't have to be a Food Fight. We have the TRUTH on our side. USE IT! We have the FACTS on our side. EXPLAIN them.
The American People may not be smarter than a 5th Grader, but EVERYONE has that little voice in their head, that comes to life, when someone is LYING to them. When someone is CONNING them.
We have the Moral High Ground. We have the TRUTH and the FACTS. And we have a responsibility to do whatever it takes, to get them out there. I submit that a CHALLENGE should be made, for the President and the Democrats to PUT UP or SHUT UP. And challenge them to show the People THEIR PLAN.
And, with the likes of Steny Hoyer (Who voted NO on Raising the Debt Ceiling in 2006) telling the American People that "We're not broke", their plan, is no plan.
You have your assignment. I suggest you get it done.

SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 11:29AM

Do tell how the American People should betaught?

This does not happen by ossmossis.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 5.26.11 @ 4:14PM

Mr. Pennell:

Proposing a plan that has no chance of going anywhere is not doing something.

Neither side will ever have a plan on Medicare until it falls off a cliff and the politicians will simply event another cliff or another phony safety net.

In the meantime there is high ground to cover and making empty promises leaves you open to criticism while you accomplish nothing but back tracking, which is precisely what is happening, in effect, you simply end up going in circles.

vtwin| 5.26.11 @ 8:42AM

There’s no “mess” created by Medicare. The voters in New York’s 26th know that not one dime of the Reagan/Bush created $14 trillion dollar debt is the result of Medicare spending and have rejected the Paul Ryan/ Republican plan to pay for the Reagan/Bush tax cuts on the wealthy by denying Medicare to the elderly which they paid for during a working lifetime.

Redstateboy| 5.26.11 @ 9:51AM

I see...... so that's the new Liber-ul talking point... it's the: "Reagan/Bush" 14 trillion dollar deficit.
4 years of Nazi Pelosi and Harry-the-war-is-lost-Reid - having Majorities in Both Houses and then added to that the Presidency of Hussein for 2+ years - so the Slave (Democrat) Party had ALL # Branches of Government.... and it's the Reagan/Bush deficit... Nice... People say Liberals live lives of delusion and this guys statement, flying in the face of any logic or common sense - proves it.

Steve A| 5.26.11 @ 10:45AM

Yes, It's common knowledge that tax cuts (allowing people to keep more of the $$ they earn & spend it as they choose) is the leading cause of financial disaster for a country. This is why the countries with the highest tax rates are so globally dominant.......Sincerely, vtwin

OK, I just tried to channel vtwin. Now I need to go tyake a shower.

Steve A| 5.26.11 @ 10:58AM

More vtwin logic.

So, you see, Bush & Reagan cut taxes for rich people & spent too much $$ so we had to get Obama in there to straighten it all out by spending even more $$ & keeping the Bush tax cuts in place. Anyone can see, based on the above explanation, how Bush & Reagan drove the Presidential Limo in the ditch & now Obama has to tow it out by keeping the same tax rates when he had both houses of Congress for 2 years & could have changed it but chose not to.

He knew those tax rates were the cause of the financial mess he inherited but he could not raise them to the level needed to pull the limo out of the ditch because Republicans are mean & want old people to die without a can opener for their dog food. OH, plus, the GOP is racist.

thanks, vtwin

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 6:55PM

Steve A,

I know, I know. Repeat after me Dr. Smith's famous line from "Lost in Space"---an excellent way to symbolize the Dems---"The pain, oh, the pain!"

old white guy| 5.27.11 @ 3:55PM

idiot .tax revenue went up. spending exceeded the tax revenue. give the politicos more .you are a fool.

richard ryan| 5.26.11 @ 8:56AM

The wise strategy, politically, is to leave Medicare alone. The 2012 election will likely be either a) a turning point in this nation's history; or b) the beginning of the end. HOWEVER- the debt/deficit problem is our biggest threat as a country, and Medicare is the NUMBER 1 driver of this problem. If ever there was a time in history at which conservatives need to man up and stop playing games, this is it. Ryan's plan gives seniors choices. If you look at the details, it provides for lower income seniors as well. Ryan is right on this one! It's time to stop letting the MSM scare conservatives away from their core principles. We need a presidential candidate who will not run from this issue, and has the communication skills to educate our citizens on the matter. Lets not run from this one folks, stakes are too high.

old white guy| 5.27.11 @ 3:53PM

to h-ll with all this cr-p. freeze the debt ceiling and let the chips fall where they may. can't spend what ya don't have. just like the rest of us.

Pat Spooner| 5.26.11 @ 6:38AM

Why do we elect republican senators who vote as democrats do? It's time to start doing what is good for the taxpayer not what is good for a political career - cut spending, cut taxes and get the economy moving again. I understand the need to revamp medicare, medicaid, social security but it is impossible for that to happen with the democrats controlling the senate and a few non-republicans voting with them.

Old Soldier| 5.26.11 @ 7:58AM

Both of the Maine sisters are up for reelection next year. If actual Republicans oppose either in the promaries, they will be getting checks from me.

And if a conservative beats them in the primary and losses the general elections? So what? Nothing changed.

Redstateboy| 5.26.11 @ 8:53AM

Spot On Brother!! See: "RINO" and there will be pictures of Snowe and Collins'.

martin j smith| 5.26.11 @ 6:46AM

I think this election was a loss because the Repub who wuit did so in disgrace of sorts and therefore anyone running to re-take would be in trouble because the party is in trouble. Second: The "fake" tea party candidate made it problematic.

As for medicare reform: Ryan particularly must at least be out there talking to the public about what his program is abouyt and not let the MSM dominate alone. And he should also consider a Presidential run not on this issue but the economy overall. The Republican leadershit was exactly that-shit. They need to be out thee challenging Obama in particular and the Socialists in general on the fact of no Socialist budget plus all the destruction SOCIALISM has brought and intends to--to say nothing of the dog.

Bob K.| 5.26.11 @ 7:05AM

How can you write an article like this and not mention the NY GOP Chairmen who decide who the Republican nominees will be? They work with the democratic party to sabotage any articulate conservative who seeks the nomination. In this case there was a Conservative Iraq Veteran who would have been a much better candidate than Corwin. And they really wanted her to stay in the legislature anyway.

We send new blood to congress and the old loser republicans still run things in Washington.

Face it. Ryan can't articulate his message. He sounds like a Professor teaching Economics I and II to students who have to take it as a requirement!

Jeff| 5.26.11 @ 5:29PM

Thats because he is teaching you economics ... maybe you should listen ?

Dee See| 5.26.11 @ 7:19AM

STILL from Ryan and the rest of the
'controlled oposition' farce Republicans
----not a single mention of the RED China
sellout, set up and TREASON op

OR the 1.4 quadrillion in FAKE derivatives

OR the matter of the capstone creeps of
the RIIA/CFR fronting our last 4 administrations

OR the more immediate, by the book, orchestrated chaos
on our borders

OR our soon to be sabotaged currency

OR the trifling matter of fractional reserve
lending and the ILLEGAL private 'Federal Reserve' scam

OR anything at all on the criminalization of
everything and everyone ---even as an est.
30 MILLION illegals roam our land, and
are serviced ---by us

EVEN AS Janet Napolitano recently signed
a 'secret' agreement to extend 'trusted traveller'
(ie green card lite) status to 80 MILLION
south of the border

"We are using MASSIVE third world
immigration to destroy British culture
once and for all ---FOREVER."
-TONY BLAIR
Former PM/Globalist/Demographics EUGENIST

------------------------Find out the hard way

vb| 5.26.11 @ 7:20AM

I agree with the author about Reps being lazy on the nuts and bolts of health care. We tend to talk about conservative values, but forget to ask for candidates with the competence to implement them. It is up to us to pose the hard questions to our representatives and candidates. Only then will they be prepared to take our message beyond the base.

roadmaster| 5.26.11 @ 7:46AM

Why isn't Ryan getting any help? Because we still have too many gutless RINO's in DC.

Paul Ryan has more courage in his little pinky than most congresscreeps have in their WHOLE district.

Clint| 5.26.11 @ 7:55AM

Americans Will Vote Their Wallets In The 2012 Elections.

It's About Jobs, The Economy, Out Of Control Deficit Spending, Taxes.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Carpe Diem.

Old Soldier| 5.26.11 @ 8:00AM

In 2005 George Bush proposed Social Security reform and partial privatization for younger workers to avoid the budget meltdowns we are now facing. Most of these are the same Rinos who put the knife in his back.

Time to clean house or make a new conservative party.

Zbigniew Mazurak| 5.26.11 @ 8:09AM

The author of this article, James Antle, has not explicitly stated what the real difficulty is, or how to overcome it.

The real difficulty is not that the Ryan Plan is complex (although it is - it's a product of a budget wonk). The real difficulty is that Americans, or at least American seniors, oppose ANY cuts of entitlement programs, even the most meagre ones. In other words, propose any cuts to these programs and you are by definition a senior-killer.

They oppose any cuts, and any reforms, of entitlement programs.

Similarly, pork-dependent politicians oppose pork moratoriums, Midwestern states oppose cuts of farm subsidies and ethanol subsidies, and so forth.

THAT is the real difficulty.

Clint| 5.26.11 @ 9:42AM

Hey Zbigniew, If I'm Not Mistaken, You're A 23 Year Old Iranian Dude.

SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 12:22PM

Nifty non-sequiter.

Whether he is 14 & from Greenland or 23 & an Iranian I continue to enjoy his blog since finding it randomly long long ago.

RCV| 5.26.11 @ 2:40PM

To Clint, ethnicity is all.

Clint| 5.26.11 @ 5:03PM

Gee Obama LawBoy RCV. I tangled earlier with this 23 year old Foreign Agendist, who blogs from Tehran because he attempted to badmouth & misrepresent Dr. Rand Paul's Budget Plan.

Of Course, You would Crybaby over His Iranian Ethnicity Sensitivities & Victimhood.

Clint| 5.26.11 @ 5:20PM

Dr. Rand Paul, Our Tea Party Senator from The Commonwealth of Kentucky is on The Sean Hannity Show right now.

Nick| 5.26.11 @ 5:26PM

With friends like you, Skinflint, Rand Paul doesn't need enemies!

Clint| 5.26.11 @ 5:49PM

Little Nicky Tries On His Asshat Again.

Look Up The Term "Skinflint", Wigger From Detroit.

Nick| 5.26.11 @ 6:16PM

Tim*/Skinflint Clint,

Look up the term racist pig.

And, quit referring to yourself as a Catholic.
I hereby excommunicate you, forthwith.

But, you can still join our American Zionist love fest. You bring the babka, okay?

Clint| 5.26.11 @ 9:37PM

Let's see Ya make Me Little Wannabe.

Apparently, I've Upset Little Nicky, The Wigger From Detroit.

Nick| 5.26.11 @ 11:41PM

Still, the brave sailors of the U.S.S. Liberty would buy me, a fellow veteran, drinks all night long. And I would do the same for them.

As for you, Skinflint, they wouldn't give you the time of day. Seeing as you never served, am I right?

You're probably a draft-dodging yellow belly who called our brave fighting men "baby killers."

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 9:30PM

Clint is claiming an IQ of over 133, RCV, which means that he had some of the worst teachers I ever seen based on his verbal skills......

Clint| 5.26.11 @ 9:42PM

Israel Firster Tool Job Constantly Bloviates About Bein' A Mensa Boy & Then Has To Repeatedly Apologize For His Mispellings & Errors.

You're An Argument Against Yourself, Israel Firster Fanatic Neo-Chickenhawk Coward, Tool Job.

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 6:58PM

What I love is the way he attacks people who agree with him if they have ever disagreed in the past. Wow!

Clint, great job of doing The Great Commission...

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 6:59PM

By the way, I , too, have tangled with Zbig before. But he's right on this one...

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 8:49PM

Yes, I recall he called me a Liberal...yes, I, who am to the Right of Attila the Hun. (Atiila was a puss.)

Nonetheless, Zbig, I do not bear grudges for even the worst insults imaginable. You are incredibly right on this one, and in your savaging of Pat Buchanan.

Clint| 5.26.11 @ 10:00PM

Yes, You Who Are A Neo-Chickenhawk israel Firster Fanatic Coward Traitor Bastard, Tool Job.

"Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has released a detailed plan that would balance the federal budget in five years. Paul’s plan would achieve balance by halting and reversing the historic rise in federal spending. Taxes would not be increased, but revenues would steadily increase as the economy recovers."

Clint| 5.26.11 @ 9:44PM

Israel Firster Fanatic Neo-Chickenhawk Coward, Tool Job, Bad Job Promoting Your Traitor Bastard Israel Firster Fanatic Neo-Chickenhawk Coward Agenda.

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 9:39PM

An Iranian guy with a Polish name. Okayy, Tim*.

Clint| 5.26.11 @ 9:49PM

An American Jew guy using A Catholic English Franciscan's Name. Okayyyyy, Occam Tool Job.

JayDick| 5.26.11 @ 9:49AM

You have a point, but it would help if Republicans reduced the complexity of Ryan's plan to real basics. Included in the pitch should be:

1. If we do nothing, Medicare will go broke and everyone's benefits will have to be cut substantially.
2. The Democrats are proposing to cut benefits for everyone now, including Granny who's already getting Medicare.
3. Republicans are proposing to leave Granny as is and change Medicare for people entering it 10 years from now. The revised Medicare will be similar to the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program which Congress participates in and which has been acclaimed as one of the best in the country.

Even the simplest voter should be able to understand that.

Redstateboy| 5.26.11 @ 10:09AM

How's this for simplicity.... "We're Broke and the Ryan Plan fixes it."

JayDick| 5.26.11 @ 11:56AM

Works for me.

Nunya| 5.26.11 @ 8:16PM

Yes, but you're probably either more educated or just plain smarter than the average American. Most people can tell you the winner of American Idol, and not who the Secretary of State is--or sometimes even the Vice President (who, in this case is sincerely forgettable). People don't get it, and I'm not sure they're going to get it before things get really ugly.

I hope I'm just cynical.

SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 12:24PM

Here is an excellent piece w/ Ryan's video going into detail about the benefits of his plan.

http://www.nationalreview.com/.....rew-stiles

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 8:39PM

By the way, Zbig, I reviewed your ME peace proposal on your blog. Not a bad way to start, at all. I actually think Barak suggested something similar.

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 9:34PM

Dear Zbig:

I'm going to post your budget page the frother refers to if you don't mind. Seems OK to me:

The Ryan Plan vs. the Paul plan – a side by side comparison
Posted by zbigniewmazurak on April 8, 2011

When Paul Ryan released his budget plan, his libertarian critics immediately damnated him and pointed out to a ridiculous plan for a “balanced budget” put forward by the junior Senator from Kentucky, Rand Paul. They also pointed to the side-by-side comparisons of the Ryan Plan vs the Obama Plan and the Paul Plan vs the Obama plan done by the utterly-discredited CATO Institute.

But they’re wrong. What the CATO Institute should do is a side-by-side comparison of the Ryan Plan and the Paul Plan. In other words, the CATO Institute should compare how these two conservative plans compare against each other, not how they are different from the course proposed by President Obama.

But the CATO Institute hasn’t done that and will not do that. Why? Because such a comparison would reveal the fact that the Ryan Plan is VASTLY SUPERIOR to the Paul Plan in all respects. So here’s such a comparison.

The blueprint proposed by Rep. Ryan:

Would cut annual federal spending by $620 bn, $120 bn more than what Sen. Paul has offered.
Would reform the Medicare program and the Medicaid program for the very first time ever, thus significantly reducing their costs.
Would grant Medicaid blocks to the states, as the Nation’s Governors have urged, and would allow the states to manage this program on their own, thus allowing them to rein in the biggest driver of state budget deficit.
Would reform the tax code and cut tax rates, including the CIT rate to 25% (down from 35%), thus inducing economic growth and encouraging companies to settle in, build in, and hire in, the US. (It would not, however, implement the FairTax.)
Would repeal Obama’s socialized medicine scheme and save the taxpayers the expense of running it.
Would end all bailouts and reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Would terminate hundreds of failing/duplicatory government programs.
Would reform agricultural subsidies.
Would cut the defense spending topline over the next 5 FYs by $78 bn and ratify all reforms proposed by Secretary Gates.
Would obligate the President and the Congress to propose specific reforms of the SS program.
Would reduce federal spending from 24% of GDP (the current level) to 18% of GDP.
Would open the OCS, the ANWR, NPR-A, deepwater areas, and shale formations to drillers.
Would not preclude further spending cuts.
The Paul Plan is much less ambitious and decisively inferior. It:

Would reduce annual federal spending, compared to President Obama’s proposals, by only $500 billion, $120 bn less than the plan offered by Rep. Ryan.
Would not reform any entitlement programs, let alone reduce their costs – thus leaving a 56% portion of the federal budget, which even leftists like Fareed Zakaria admit is the driver of budget deficits and public debt.
Would defer any reform of any entitlement programs until 2016 – and even then, it wouldn’t say how to reform them.
Would not reform the tax code, open any areas to drillers, reform tort law, abolish the EPA (which is hurting the economy of Sen. Paul’s home state), or repeal any federal regulations. Yet, it absurdly assumes that even without such reforms, the economy will somehow rebound so magnificently that it will produce $1.15 trillion of additional annual revenue to erase the budget deficit. It will not, absent these economic reforms.
Would not obligate the Congress nor the President to propose any specific reforms of any entitlement programs.
So when you lay down Rep. Ryan’s plan and Sen. Paul’s plan next to each other, and compare them, you clearly see (if you’re an honest person) which plan is the better one: Rep. Ryan’s plan. It would do more than cut federal spending, it would change the status quo in Washington for the first time ever.

On the other hand, Sen. Paul’s plan is a joke, and never was anything more than that. True, it would cut federal spending – but by $120 bn less than the Ryan Plan, and it would not cut entitlement spending (which constitutes 56%-63% of the total federal budget) by one cent. It would make deeper cuts to defense spending than the Ryan Plan, and it would not implement ANY of the many capitalist reforms America needs.

http://budget.house.gov/Upload.....ummary.pdf

UPDATE: Oh dear, oh dear. Sen. Paul has significantly pared down his demand for annual budget reductions. He now demands only a $200 bn cut of annual federal spending. Vide:

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-th.....wn-to-200b

If he's Iranian, Clint, then he's a "damn sight more financially erudite than you" Iranian. Why don'[t you coherently answer his arguments.

LMajito| 5.26.11 @ 8:15AM

i wrote many times that unless the whole lot is replaced in dc (both sides of pennsylvania avenue) nothing will change...

the good book states that new wine must be poured in new wineskins...pouring new wine in old wineskins will just make it bitter and it may split the wineskin...

that 7 repubs in the senate voted against ryan's bill should be call to arms to any clear thinking voter that unless the leadership is changed in the gop, nothing will change...the same traitors selling us down the river...

Mimi| 5.26.11 @ 8:32AM

Whats all the fuss about one election in of all places LIBERAL New York ? The gal lost by about 46oo votes in a poor turn-out, in a three -way race. The Conservative and Republican vote to 52%. Don't lay this on Paul Ryan or his plan Blame the weak....N.Y STATE Republican party who didn't give a dynamic candidate a chance to run and the poor vote "GET OUT". Only 50% of 2008. In 2012 its DOOR TO DOOR or else....Take note!!!!

Mimi| 5.26.11 @ 8:39AM

Also......Chuck Schumer's plan to make every election ...A "THREESOME" as the only way they can WIN .... NOW in this climate.! WHAT ??? the dreadful climate they recklessly created? They in TRUTH don't deserve ONE darn vote!!!

Louis Jenkins| 5.26.11 @ 8:43AM

"Few Republicans thought seriously about health care even when they were fighting Democratic plans at the federal level. "

That is a major problem with Republicans. They don't think. They, and we, need to lend support to Ryan. A major talk show host said as much yesterday. We need to make sure the old Republican guard understands that this nation doesn't have much time left, and soon we will be in the grip of a health care machine that takes no prisoners. Off with their (our) head will be the watch word. Thank you Mr. Ryan for your efforts. For the seven Republicans that voted against Ryan, off with your heads.

George S| 5.26.11 @ 9:17AM

This is why politicians never propose solutions, it gives the opposition ammunition. Notice how the debate has shifted to what has been done (ObamaCare) to something yet to happen.

The Joker| 5.26.11 @ 9:23AM

Forcing through a radical change in a popular program, Medicare, is foolish. It can not even be passed at this time. Medicare can only be reformed when the Republicans have the Presidency and both houses of Congress. Congressman Ryan should have confined his budget cuts to discretionary spending and especially the residue of the Obama 2009-2010 spending spree.

Anthony| 5.26.11 @ 9:44AM

First, Republicans still are not able to speak clearly and articulate their principles to the people, and the backbiting from folks like Newt did not help.
Second, the R establishment remains timid and fearful. Where was the retort to that reprehensible reptile Reid as to what HIS plan is? Where the hell was the Democrat's budget!!!!
Medicare, like Social Security is going broke; if the R establishment can't get that message through, this country is finished.
As to the idiots in NY-26, Ds have always been able to fool and use upstate NYers for their pleasure. This vote should not have been close, even with the phony Tea Party candidate who fooled 10% of these idiots, once again.
Hillary used NY like toilet paper, while she laughed and lied herself all the way out of NY by "walking back", (the new hip phrase for lying) her pledge not to run for president and then abandoning NY to be Sec. of State.
Yes, the woman who promised jobs and a renewed economy for the wasteland known as upstate NY, left NY with her famous "listening tour" still not listening.
The wasteland remains a wasteland, with double digit unemployment. However, I guess those folks don't seem to mind. Forgive and forget, that's their motto.
Some folks are just plain stupid, some work damn hard at it.
It will take a complete breakdown of our society, which is now 2 years away, before people wake the hell up.
The Ds tell us they love a crisis; well, just wait for the mother of all crisis, coming to your town very soon.

Redstateboy| 5.26.11 @ 10:13AM

I escaped from Buffalo, NY. and the People's Republic of NY 12 years ago to the Promised Land (E. Tennessee) - I lived 40 years in that Wilderness and I am a living witness to the destruction the Slave (Democrat) Party has done to that area and that State. NY was once known as the: "Empire State" - now it's the "Quagmire State"

AgentRose| 5.26.11 @ 12:12PM

SECOND THAT!

THIRD THAT!!

ANYONE AVAILABLE TO TEACH THEM HOW TO SPEAK? PRESENT? GET OUT IN FRONT OF THE PROBLEMS? ANTICIPATE THE RESPONSES? THIS IS JUST SIMPLE PR 101

SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 12:36PM

Dirty Harry Reid?

See the shocking LA Times piece about exactly what Reid has to say:

http://articles.latimes.com/20.....t-20110520

Mike Gabel| 5.26.11 @ 10:16AM

If this mess isn't a case against government entitlements, I don't know what is.

The programs are enacted under the guise of fairness. In the end, they become monolithic, un-understandable, insolvent boondoggles. So, when the plan goes wrong, only a few understand the correct fix, which is to get government out of it.

The fact that statists politicize these matters, while trying to retain control of the program's funds and its participants, is repulsive.

Fellow conservatives must follow Paul Ryan's lead and communicate the severity of our entitlement problem. The problem is as much societal, as it is financial.

Paul Ryan is the adult in the room.
Run, Mr. Ryan, Run!

SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 12:38PM

Never forget...

We have to pass this 2200 page bill now, there will be plenty of time to read it after - paraphrased Nancy ' who else for a voucher' Pelosi

howard lohmuller| 5.26.11 @ 11:06AM

Mr. Antle is right that the special election loss in NY-26 does not even hint at being caused by the fear or dislike of voters toward the Ryan budget plan.

But it is also clear that the Ryan budget is a very big deal. It will be the principle offering of Republicans to voters in the 2012 elections. The Democrats principle offering is no new plan because a new plan is not necessary and the Republican plan will take away Medicare as Seniors know it.

Republicans have to stay with the plan, because to dump it would be to shirk their responsibility and allow the financial crisis to grow. Besides voters listening to Democrats lie about the plan might think it safer to vote Democrat.

So the Republicans need to pull out all stops to defend their plan. First the video or power point presentation Ryan made must be improved and made available to all Republicans for their town hall meetings, schools, nursing homes, etc. Second, presenters should be trained to accompany Repubs to their meetings with voters or go alone to, for instance, nursing homes and answer questions from the audience. Third, this group of presenters should act as a resource and develope another film or video showing how the reform of entitlements will get the economy back on track and save Medicare for younger Americans. Republicans cannot rely on the media to explain the plan for them.

AgentRose| 5.26.11 @ 12:10PM

great idea!!!

Jack London| 5.26.11 @ 11:59AM

Can I say what a huge pleasure it is to see the Repugs self-destructing on anything they touch. George is quite right - best to just say nothing. After all, the country really want to decimate Medicare and line the pockets of the rich still more - not.

And by the way, Medicare won't go bust under the ACA. And if you look back it was said to be going bust lots of times - and it didn't, did it?

Steve A| 5.26.11 @ 12:29PM

Jack, the pure genius & literary skill of your third sentence rivals that of Shakespeare. (" After all, the country really want to decimate Medicare and line the pockets of the rich still more-not.")

All I can say is Wow! You have convinced me of the error of my ways. I just keep repeating that sentence. It just rolls right off the tongue. Not to mention the deep thought & hidden genius at work behind the scenes in order to be able to craft such a masterful argument. Congratulations.

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 7:00PM

Well, the real Jack London WAS a literary genius. Not our guy, though. More's the pity....

Jack London| 5.26.11 @ 7:28PM

Ok - you've figured out I'm not the real Jack London. Now figure out how the great American public is going to vote for increasing benefits for the rich and a destruction of Medicare and other public programs.

Tell me please - this should be good.

Nunya| 5.26.11 @ 8:32PM

Actually Jack, your fearless leader Obozo is going to take care of everything. Just sit back, nothing to worry about, don't pay attention to that man behind the curtain, it's all going to be just fine...

That is, unless you actually dig into the situation and realize we as a country are BROKE, and we can't keep promising everyone cradle-to-grave healthcare, and social security, and everything else the Democraps are offering. Got a plan? Good! Tell it. Otherwise, you're just part of the problem. As to your BS about "benefits for the rich and a destruction of Medicaid", it's just more Democrap talking points. It's a lie, and a damned lie at that. Social Security and Medicaid need reform! Now! To deny that is simply to ignore the truth. So, if you choose to do that, please feel free. If you would rather look into the actual numbers, you will see that WE CAN'T PAY FOR WHAT HAS BEEN PROMISED. Sorry, but the gravy train is about to derail. If you can't get that, then stay in your little dreamworld, but please stop with your BS about how we're trying to make "the rich" richer at the expense of grandma's medical care. Those of us who actually study and thoughtfully consider the future would sincerely appreciate it.

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 8:34PM

Follow closely, Jack---it's math. But I can follow it, so you should be able to, as well. Here goes:

GNP 4rth quarter US 1972 $1,295 (all figures in Billions) (Before Carter)
GNP 4th quarter 1979:$2695.00 (Last quarter Jimmuh)

GNP 4rth quarter Reagan 1984: $4,067.20 (end of 1st term)
GNP 4rth quarter 1988: $5274.80.

Bush raised taxes. Fourth Quarter 1992: $6416.80.

Clinton raised, then cut under the Republicans, after 1994. (But not as high as Carter):$6944.000 before Republicans, then 8054.7 1996. First term, after cut.

Now, GNP is a good rough proxy for taxable wealth. In other words, higher GNP= more taxable wealth, I believe in a fairly linear fashion. (Carter, by the way, is the only guy that saw the DOW drop since Truman. Nixon had a plus/minus administration, but the overall was a plus)

OK. GNP 4rth quarter 1976= X. GNP Fourth quarter 1996= Y. 3X=Y.

Now, calculate tax revenues in 1976 versus 1996.

.7X is less than .35 Y. Yes or no? Well, substitute as follows: .35 * 3X = 1.05 X. In short, with half the maximum tax rate, the taxable income was 50% higher under Clinton than Carter.

Lower taxes=faster growth=high tax receipts.

Now, obviously, there reaches a point where you get diminishing returns. But we should be examining what that point is with maximal tax revenues vs. Maximum growth and be working from there. What we SHOULD NOT be doing is using the tax system as a means to punish people.

The purpose of taxation is to raise money for the necessary mechanisms of government, and NOTHING ELSE. Obama has stated that he would increase taxes even if it caused a recession, "to be fair." That is bogus and dangerous. To tax is to destroy. Sometimes destruction is necessary (example of tax money well spent---all the training, meals, etc. for SEAL Team 6). Sometimes it is wrongful and stupid (tax money to finance football stadiums).

What I object to is the "soak the rich" crap. Hey, there's a LOT of difference between my lifestyle at $340K/yearly with two young children and college to be saved for and Derek Jeter's. I'm not poor or pleading poor. But I shop at Walmart and eat at Mickey D's frequently. Tuition for the State U in my state alone is about $8000.00/yr and my babies won't be ready until 2022, by which time I expect it to be closer to $20,000/yr. The current cost of medical school in my state is $33,000 yearly for tuition alone. assume $70,000/yr by the time the Cutest Girl in the World is going to med school. OK? Obummer and his cronies aren't going to give my kids any financial aid. I left residency $80k in debt.

So, tax me if you wish, and enjoy our shared poverty. I prefer to adopt kids from 3rd world countries and give them whatever they need to be successful. That's how I'm spending my lucre.

Therefore, your view, Jack, is not only damaging to our economy; it's damaging to tax revenues and my children's future.
I'm sure you will disagree with me, but note the ad hominem absence. Try not to Clint.

And that, jack, is my problem with your proposal

Jack London| 5.27.11 @ 7:57AM

The record is absolutely clear:

– Following the Clinton tax increases the economy did much better than it did after the 'W' Bush tax cuts.
– Following the Clinton tax increases job growth did much better than it did after the 'W' Bush tax cuts.
– Following the Clinton tax increases real median household incomes did much better than it did after the 'W' Bush tax cuts.
– Following the Clinton tax increases the deficit went down and eventually the government started paying off its debt. The deficits exploded after the 'W' Bush tax cuts.

People aren't going to buy the lies about the need to make rich people even richer anymore.

Nick| 5.27.11 @ 1:28PM

Only if you don't include the dot.com bubble and the two land wars President Bush had to fight.

When these are considered, GWB was far superior.

AgentRose| 5.26.11 @ 12:08PM

The problem is the LACK OF LEADERSHIP IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!!!

Plain and simple. No guts. No courage with the exception of Paul Ryan and a few others. What the hell do they think they're doing? What the hell were the 2010 elections about?

The Republican establishment, better known as RINO's is the problem. Their articulation and messaging are outrageous. Hire me. I could do a better job.

We are in a war with the Democrats who fear even more loss of power.

But if the Republicans followed Lincoln (no, he was NOT a democrat) they would WIN handily as the saying goes:

I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.
Abraham Lincoln

WOULD LINCOLN LIE?

Nunya| 5.26.11 @ 8:37PM

Agreed, Agent Rose. The R's are led by spineless politcrats (is that a word?) who care nothing but raising money and their next election--or the election of similar minded persons. Fleece the country? Sure, as long as I get a piece of it. Medicare going broke? Not my problem as long as it's not during my tenure. The professional politicians have been kicking this can down the road for so long that they can't see an endgame. RINO's are traitors in my opinion, trading character and principle for re-elections and money. Plain and simple.

Michael L. Hauschild| 5.26.11 @ 12:15PM

The 2012 road grader is approaching. That should smooth out any of those bumps quite nicely.

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 7:00PM

Yeah. Like the '85 Bears defense.

AgentRose| 5.26.11 @ 12:22PM

The election was lost, the way all elections will be lost unless REPUBLICANS and INDEPENDENTS and TEA PARTIERS understand the Democrats' (socialist) playbook. It is really quite simple:

1. Lie
2. Deceit
3. Disguise
4. Attack the attacker
5. Ridicule
6. Mischaracterize
7. When those don’t work–Cheat–i.e., voter fraud (boy is ACORN going to be busy)

Lie–they said Jack was from the tea party.
Disguise–the fact that he is a flaming Democrat
Mischaracterize Ryan’s budget with the ad throwing the old lady off the cliff

MEMORIZE these rules and watch every upcoming election. Maybe we could make up a running Excel spreadsheet..... John Fund could probably help us.

The fact is that those who know—-know Obamacare has CUT MEDICARE!!

Let’s use that line: Obamacare has CUT MEDICARE!!!

They are the same old tactics and they will be played out in EVERY SINGLE ELECTION going forward, because they NEVER play by the rules. They have OLD ideas dating back to 1917 when the socialist/communist revolution took place. They are in total denial of historical consequences of socialism. They want BIGGER government and MORE power. So easy. And Saul Alinsky is guiding them.

BUT LINCOLN had faith in the American people and the far majority of the American people understand and like Ryan’s plan. God give him COURAGE. The other RINO REPUBLICANS sure don’t have any!!!

Lincoln had faith in the American people as I believe RYAN does:

I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.
Abraham Lincoln

Our country is on the PRECIPICE and where is the Republican leadership?

SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 12:41PM

You list is nice & accurate. The list would be on a 'spinner' with each option at a differing point on the wheel for the dial to randumbly select.

Redstateboy| 5.26.11 @ 12:26PM

rumor has begun... Rick Perry of Texas is reconsidering a run for the presidency - now HE's IS the guy Hussein fears.

Drunken Sailor| 5.26.11 @ 4:35PM

I could happily vote a Perry/Cain ticket

martin j smith| 5.26.11 @ 4:20PM

Someone has to tell voters: If you get Obamacare forget medicare and forget any kind of health care.
In essence Republicans become complicit in our downfall for failing the voters --and thus, in my eyes
no better than the Socialists.

Jeff| 5.26.11 @ 5:30PM

thats the ticket, blame the GOP for ObamaCare ...

Abdula Salaam| 5.26.11 @ 5:33PM

Paul Ryan couldn't win a seat as one of your American dog catcher if the election was today.Oh yes,the Republicans laid off your dog catchers.

Occam's Tool| 5.26.11 @ 7:48PM

Abdula---what the heck do you know from dog catching?

Abdula Salaam| 5.27.11 @ 2:55AM

I catch and we feed the dogs to American soldiers on leave.We call them hot dog cause dey like dis.

Dee See| 5.26.11 @ 11:13PM

With Bush/Clinton/Bush/Obama displaying
undeniable 'continuity of agenda' viz a viz RED
China sellout and TREASON and so much more
---and surely awaiting, sooner or later, some form of
RETRO-active IMPEACHMENT --we MUST
begin to regard the utter lack of
opposition anywhere on the political landscape
is, almost certainly, evidence of some sort of pervasive blackmail.

IN FACT we'd bet on it.

AS we now, FINALLY, realize the cyber grid
was, and is, about surveillance, eavesdropping
and control -------------connecting the dots AIN'T
rocket science.

HUAC meets NUREMBERG 2012

MARCH on the New York office of the FED,
and New York headquarters of the 'EUGENICS
friendly' 'benny violent' ultra rich, culture
subverting, republic sabotaging, TAX FREE
'chair-IT-Abel' Foundations ---this July 4th.

The good people of Britain should do likewise
with their counterparts.

------------ANY QUESTIONS?

simon templar| 5.27.11 @ 2:23AM

Once again the beltway Republicans have screwed it up again. The November election was a senior revolt(they were a large segment of voters) against Obamacare which they knew would destroy Medicare, destroy the health industry, and would be an overall disaster. They want the program fixed, they want the fraud and waste cleaned up, and they want more choices, more competiveness in the industry, and more control over their medical situations. What do they do? The beltway boys take their eyes off the ball, turn the issue and focus to medicare and not obamacare, and do a poor job in explaining their Ryan proposal to the public let alone attempting to involve seniors in the process of developing solutions. They let the Demoncrats set the narrative, roll out the scare tactics, propaganda, and focus the spotlight on the GOP as the problem...not the waste, fraud, federal mismanagement, or the reality that it will collaspe if nothing is done. Then they run for the hills like spineless shits at the first sign of trouble. Disgusting. Idiotic.

David Shoup| 5.28.11 @ 4:30PM

If 7 (SEVEN!) Republican Senators are so clueless concerning the meaning of $14,000,000,000 (TRILLION!) of Federal debt, then the Conservatives are voices crying in the wilderness to a people who refuse to listen. For our elected officials to be so myopic that they cannot see that we need to fix many flaws in the way the Fed spends money, it is like Captain Smith believing that he can speed the Titanic at full speed at night through iceberg fields of the North Atlantic with incomplete lifeboat capacity. Which idiots really, really believe that the US Federal Government is too big to fail? Was the Titanic too big to fail? Was Weimar Germany too big to fail? Sad times are here for America. Prepare your families for a depression that will make the Great Depression (1929-1941) seem like booming prosperity..