Obama Budget Is Dismissed by G.O.P. and Attacked by Left [View all]

[octoberlib]

WASHINGTON — The House speaker, John A. Boehner, on Friday waved aside reports that President Obama would seek a new budget compromise next week, accusing the president of again demanding tax increases in exchange for “modest entitlement savings.” “If the president believes these modest entitlement savings are needed to help shore up these programs, there’s no reason they should be held hostage for more tax hikes,” Mr. Boehner said. “That’s no way to lead and move the country forward.”

At the same time, liberals quickly vented their anger about Mr. Obama’s plans, saying they would not accept changes to Social Security and Medicare that would threaten the programs and harm beneficiaries.
“Evidently the president either does not understand or does not care how critically important Social Security and Medicare are, not just to seniors but to middle-aged and younger workers for whom these programs are likely to be even more crucial,” said Eric Kingson, co-chair of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition.

The sharp reaction was a preview of what is likely to come on Wednesday when the president formally unveils his budget.
The New York Times reported on Friday that the document would call for a deal similar to the final compromise offer Mr. Obama made to Mr. Boehner last year before talks fell apart — cuts to entitlement programs in exchange for new revenues from tax increases.

“President Obama’s plan to cut Social Security would harm seniors who worked hard all their lives,” said Anna Galland, the executive director of Moveon.org. “Under this plan, a typical 80-year-old woman would lose the equivalent of three months’ worth of food every year. That’s unconscionable.”
Ms. Galland added: “It’s even more outrageous given that Republicans in Congress aren’t even asking for this Social Security cut. This time, the drive to cut Social Security is being led by President Obama and Democrats.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/06/us/politics/obama-budget-is-dismissed-by-gop-and-attacked-by-left.html?hp&_r=0