WASHINGTON — President Obama’s reelection and Democratic gains in Congress were supposed to make it easier for the party to strike a deal with Republicans to resolve the year-end fiscal crisis by providing new leverage.
But they could also make it harder as empowered Democrats, including some elected on liberal platforms, resist significant changes in entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Comments
Increases granted in social security already don't keep pace with their medicare premium increases...way to go after those who have no ability to make more money. Nevermind the young people who are staying home making babies collecting while waiting to be old enough to collect social security...I know a girl with a 10 and 6 year old who hasn't worked ever (over the table anyway). She has an apartment, heating assistance, free healthcare, food stamps and who knows what else...but no time limits or work or training requirements either...
becuase they are doing so well and are sustainable.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2012-11-27/when-work-punished-tragedy-americas-welfare-state
What do you expect? Obama is in the oval office due to the recipients of the federal entitlement programs, single White women, young novice students and the old folks who are afraid of loosing their Medicare. BUT the old folks fail to acknowledge that Medicare was gutted with Obamacare.
As a practical matter, Democrats will have to relent on examination of entitlement programs. They -- like Republicans -- do not have the votes to force through unilaterally their vision. The need for compromise over the "fiscal cliff" solution MAY have an added benefit for the country. Everyone will be forced to more rigorously defend her or his position about the "appropriate" level of taxation or the "right" level of social support. That discussion may help separate wheat from chaff in planning for the country's fiscal future.