This is what David Sirota is spreading on twitter:

[Hard Truth]

108. Where's the lie?

I found an unedited video clip and article at https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/01/today-in-joe-biden-wants-to-means-test-social-secu.html


They quote Biden as saying “Paul Ryan was correct when he did the tax code. What's the first thing he decided to go after? Social Security and Medicare. Now, we need to do something about Social Security and Medicare. That's the only way you can find room to pay for it. I don't know a whole lot of people in the top 1/10 of 1% or top 1% are relying on social security when they retire.”

and they comment "Now, it may be tempting to give Biden a pass on this one because he's only targeting rich people, and he does go on to denounce the GOP tax bill. But the very idea of means-testing Social Security and Medicare, in any way, is anathema to progressives because it opens the door for further changes—some of which will be implemented by the other side. It's supposed to be doctrine among the left that these two programs are untouchable unless they're being expanded, and for Biden to suggest reducing coverage—even if it's just for rich people, at the moment—is shocking and worrisome. Especially when it's accompanied by praise for Paul Ryan, who wanted nothing more for his entire career than to gut these programs..."

Based on this information, I don't see Sirota's statement as inaccurate. (I have not seen an edited video from him) What am I missing?

In the clip Biden says that "the people at the top aren't bad guys." Then who is funding all the lobbyists, Republicans, think tanks and others who who push our legislators to cut services for the poor and middle class and give tax breaks and other subsidies to the rich?

Based on the video clip, it appears that, although Biden supports more progressive taxation, he would cut social security benefits (yes, for rich people) before he would reduce defense spending.

I plan to strongly avoid voting for any candidate who supports austerity measures impacting the poor and retirees without first drastically reducing defense spending, giveaways to the rich (many farm subsidies for example) and raising taxes on the extremely rich. I believe that many of the voters Democrats need to win, especially minorities and young people, agree. That statement will hurt Biden.