Keep your eye on the Democrats during the ongoing debate over the future of Medicare.
Some of the so-called “blue dog” Democrats have already indicated they might consider certain aspects of the Republican plan advanced by Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Ryan’s plan would replace Medicare with a phony voucher plan that would only benefit the insurance companies while severely limiting health care for seniors.
It ought to be a certainty that Democratic lawmakers who support any semblance of such a plan will face a primary election opposition in the next election cycle. If anti-worker Republicans can convince nominal Democrats to support them on this issue, it will be a major factor in the eventual purge of the nation’s middle class.
It wouldn’t surprise anyone if certain Democrats try to convince constituents that the Ryan plan can be tinkered with enough that it might really work.
That’s BS; don’t let them get away with it
Democratic constituents around the country — including every rank-and-file union member — ought to demand a commitment from their lawmakers that they will not tinker with the basic structure of Medicare.
Here in Colorado, we’ve heard Mark Udall say he will work to preserve Medicare. We can’t give Senator Udall high marks for specificity, but will give him a passing grade for the time being.
Senator Bennet’s recent statement, though, should raise eyebrows. He said we “must redesign our entitlement programs,” whatever that means.
It’s time to find out.