Archive
Four Bad Liberal Arguments For "Compromising" On the Medicare Age
Medicare works. It delivers good coverage, and it does so more cost-effectively. It should be strengthened, not weakened. It shouldn't be "compromised" or sacrificed on the altar of lower expenditures, especially for an alternative that will actually cost more.
'Gang Of Six' Holds Progressive Line On Taxes
This week six members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus will be strategizing over how to shift leftward the center of gravity in the debate over taxes and federal deficits. They are insisting on a "revenue-positive" rather than revenue-neutral plan that asks the wealthiest Americans and largest corporations to shoulder a greater share of the costs of repairing the economy for the rest of America.
Meanwhile, Back In The Real Economy
Howard Kurtz writes that Americans are "tuning out" the "fiscal cliff" debates in Washington because "the players haven’t gotten serious," about making a deal. Maybe it's because Main Street America has plenty at stake in these negotiations, and none of the players have gotten serious about concerns in the real economy.
Day of Action
Today is a progressive "day of action" on the fiscal cliff negotiations with a bunch of organizations holding events around the country. If nothing else, this is a day to call your congressional representative and tell him or her that you expect them to protect vital programs and vote against any deal that cuts them. remember, this is a manufactured "crisis" over a manufactured deficit which will be made worse by austerity not better.
Time To Start Planning For After We Go Over The Cliff (AWGOC)
There's really not much new to say about the fiscal cliff except that, as of today, we're now three weeks away from it happening. There's especially not much new to say when the only news is that a meeting took place at the White House over the weekend between the president and speaker and the big statement was that the lines of communication remain open.
Progressive Breakfast
On the menu this morning:
- Morning Message: Four Republican Medicare Secrets … and a $600 Billion Funeral
- Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid Teeter on "Fiscal Cliff"
- Michigan Labor Fight
- Jobs, Joblessness, and Robots
- "Too Big To Fail" Plan Revealed
- Breakfast Sides
Progressive Breakfast
On the menu this morning:
- Morning Message: Four Republican Medicare Secrets … and a $600 Billion Funeral
- Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid Teeter on "Fiscal Cliff"
- Michigan Labor Fight
- Jobs, Joblessness, and Robots
- "Too Big To Fail" Plan Revealed
- Breakfast Sides
Four Republican Medicare Secrets ... and a $600 Billion Funeral
The Republicans are demanding $600 billion in Medicare cuts over the next ten years. Their only concrete proposal is to deny Medicare coverage to Americans during what is now their first two years of eligibility, at ages 65 and 66. But their official offer isn't even that specific. It just throws out that figure: $600 billion. But you can't get there from here.
The Never-Ending Quest for Tax Red Herrings
The political friends of America's rich aren't aiming to convince us that higher taxes on the nation's highest incomes make no sense. They're just hoping to keep us distracted.
Monday: Take Action to Defend Medicare
Cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security hurt PEOPLE. Raising tax rates on the wealthy is just money. They do not equate, do not trade them. Please join Monday's big, national event and add your voice. The "Lame Duck" -- unelected -- Congress is deep in...
