For the last several weeks, all of the political air has been sucked up by issues large (the death of Osama bin Laden) and small (Obama v. Trump in the case of the magically appearing birth certificate).
But we predict, and polls say, that 2012 will be about two closely related issues: the economy and government spending.
On the latter, Republicans have moved a bold plan to cut spending by trillions of dollars, including a plan to revamp Medicare that is set to go bankrupt in a few short years.
The Democrats and Progressive bed wetters can't help but revert to scare tactics in the wake of all this.
Colorado Pols pounded Congressman Scott Tipton just yesterday, saying he broke his campaign pledge not to cut or privatize Medicare.
We will leave the ridiculous demagoguery about Medicare "privatization" for another discussion. Instead we would like to point out the simple and elegant genius of the Ryan plan… while enacting important reforms that save Medicare (and the nation) from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Ryan plan also leaves current seniors totally untouched.
If you are 65, or 64, or 63, or 62, or 61, or 60, or 59, or 58, or 57, or 56, or 55, Medicare as you know it won't change. Medicare spending as a percent of GDP also won't change under the Ryan plan for anyone.
Ergo, Scott Tipton's promise made is a promise kept.
Future seniors of course, will see a different, smarter and still very generous Medicare, even though it will be in a different form. But current retirees and those nearing it get the same Medicare tomorrow as they did today.
By the way, without changes to Medicare — pay attention Progressive bed wetters — Medicare will be insolvent before the end of the decade. Meaning that for those under 55, there really is no choice — reform or nothing.
We know that most Progressives are too busy protesting the War on Terror and hugging trees to do much in the way of studying economics and accounting, so we will make it simple.
Medicare insolvency = bad for Medicare recipients.
Tipton/Ryan plan to ward off insolvency of Medicare = good for Medicare recipients, future and present.
Or to alter an oft-used saying, a bird in hand is better than none in the bush.
“Tipton/Ryan plan” lets be a little more accurate: “Ryan’s start to building a better Tipton plan”
If a tree falls in the forest…If Pols says criticizes a Republican, does it really matter?