Robert Reich: Beware the “Middle Ground” of the Great Budget Debate

[highplainsdem]

http://robertreich.org/post/4810720801

Beware the “Middle Ground” of the Great Budget Debate

Thursday, April 21, 2011


-snip-

According to the most recent Washington Post-ABC poll, 78 percent of Americans oppose cutting spending on Medicare as a way to reduce the debt, and 72 percent support raising taxes on the rich – including 68 percent of Independents and 54 percent of Republicans.

-snip-

And if people knew that the Ryan plan would channel hundreds of billions of their Medicare dollars into the pockets of private for-profit heath insurers, almost everyone would be against it.

-snip-

In my view, even the President doesn’t go nearly far enough in the direction most Americans would approve. All he wants to do, essentially, is end the Bush tax windfalls for the wealthy – which were designed to be ended in 2010 in any event – and close a few loopholes.

-snip-

If the super rich paid taxes at the same rates they did three decades ago, they’d contribute $350 billion more per year than they are now – amounting to trillions more over the next decade. That’s enough to ensure every young American is healthy and well-educated and that the nation’s infrastructure is up to world-class standards.

-snip-

Reich is correct -- the "center" isn't halfway between what President Obama has proposed and what Ryan has proposed. And it would be a travesty to look for a middle ground, when the Ryan plan shouldn't be considered at all.

[MadHound]

1. Yep, this is how the American public is going to get screwed

The 'Pugs put out a massively radical plan, and in the interest of "bipartisanship", and an apparent inability, or unwillingness, to fight, the Obama administration and the Dems in general will agree to "meet halfway".

Rather than being killed quickly under Ryan, we are doomed to suffer a slower, tortuous death under the Dems. Me, I'd rather be killed quick than suffer a death of a thousand cuts.

[Hannah Bell]

8. yes, the quicker people realize they're fucked, the quicker they get off their butts.

[me b zola]

2. Recommended

[msongs]

3. middle ground = certain democratic officials sellout in the name of bipartisanship nt

[riderinthestorm]

4. I am sick at heart thinking of how the negotiations for our very future are going to play out.

As a professional horse trader, it deeply pains me to ponder how much Obama Inc. will give away before the dealing even starts.

I fear we are screwed.

[OHdem10]

5. The Progressive Caucus has a budget plan which really reduces

the deficit in 10 years. R Miller, formerly worked in OMB OFFICE
under Clinton. He reviewed it and confirms it balances the
budget and maintains the values of Progressives.

Both Obama's and Ryan's Plan are lacking when trying to
balance. Ryan's adds to the deficit.

Spread the Word about the Progressive Caucus Budget. and
maybe we can get Obama to adopt some of it when he and
Ryan go toe to toe. The fact that Miller checked the
numbers and it really reduces the deficit is important.

[OHdem10]

6. The Progressive Caucus has a plan which actually reduces

the deficit in 10 years. Both Obama's and Ryan's
plan are lacking and guess what Ryan's adds to the
deficit.

Spread the Word. Maybe we can get the Progressive
Caucus Plan some attention. Their plan adds up
according to Miller who worked in OMB during the
Clinton years. It maintains our progressive values.

Get the word out.

[kentuck]

7. Democrats make a mistake talking about going back to Clinton rates.

It should be much higher.

[highplainsdem]

9. Yes.