It's a trick -- Republicans are only dumping Norquist to fool Democrats into cutting Social Security

[Report1212]

This is why Chambliss, Graham, etc. deserve no praise:

Like Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) before him, Graham thinks it’s more important to gut our social insurance programs than it is to uphold Norquists’s pledge. That is not cause for celebration among progressives.

In fact, Graham is asking for cuts in Medicare benefits that are even more severe than what Bowles-Simpson proposed. Here’s what he said on ABC’s This Week:

GRAHAM: It goes to 66, 67 here pretty soon for Social Security. Let it float up another year or so over the next 30 years, adjust Medicare from 65 to 67 over the next 30 years, means test benefits for people in our income level. I don’t expect Democrats to go for premium support or a voucher plan, but I do expect them to adjust these entitlement programs before they bankrupt the country and run out of money themselves.

Read more: http://boldprogressives.org/lindsey-graham-threw-grover-norquist-under-the-bus-but-wants-to-gut-medicare-and-social-security/

[Livluvgrow]

1. Not just that

but also to raise taxes, ON US. They want to get rid of all the deductions that help us but not touch capitol gains. How ignorant are these fools. Hey we need money lets go and try to get some where there is none.

[Report1212]

3. Exactly

Not a one of these supposedly anti-Norquist Republicans have said they are for ending Bush tax cuts for the rich. Instead they use vague language about loopholes and deductions. Vague enough to where ... maybe it will never happen.

[Still Sensible]

2. Just waiting to see where the administration

draws a line in the sand. So far they have been rather silent watching the GOP contort themselves trying to find traction.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

4. What talk is there of raising the age you can FIRST collect benefits...

which is 62? Are they planning to fuck with that, too, or just the age at which one can collect FULL benefits?

Graham isn't OK with income tax increases, but he's OK with "tweaking" deductions for charitable contributions and mortgage interest. Yeah, that will be good for those in need, and the ever-shrinking Middle Class.

Raise the cap!

[Report1212]

5. Yup

Look at this:

"I think Grover is wrong," he said. "When you are $16tn in debt the only pledge we should be making to each other is to avoid becoming Greece. I will violate this pledge, long story short, for the greater good of the country, only if Democrats do entitlement reform."

He explicitly says he'll only break the pledge if Democrats agree to "entitlement reform." Which means cutting Medicare and Social Security.

[ProSense]

6. They're selling

this:

Republican Senators resorting to "GOP trickery" on deficit, selling Mr. 47 Percent's plan.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021883764

[Report1212]

8. Yes! Cut Medicare and we'll give you Romney's tax plan.

So awful.

[Rocky888]

7. It is all slight of hand

If you listen closely, you can hear the truth. They are not going to raise taxes on rich. They want a capital gains cap on revenue. Only to be back doored in their pockets thru loopholes. While they raise the age on social seurity and medicare after they cut the benefits by 25%. This has been their plan all along.

[forestpath]

9. Exactly. It smells like a big set-up to me. Where is the Democratic party push back?

I have seen none. None that is unequivocal, that is.

[Report1212]

10. Hopefully it will come nt