"To criticisms, Obama supporters make two arguments. First, the CBO says the plan reduces the deficit by $138 billion over a decade. Second, the legislation contains measures (an expert panel to curb Medicare spending, emphasis on "comparative effectiveness research") to control health spending. These rejoinders are self-serving and unconvincing.
Suppose the CBO estimate is correct. So? The $138 billion saving is about 1 percent of the projected $12.7 trillion deficit from 2009 to 2020. If the administration has $1 trillion or so of spending cuts and tax increases over a decade, all these monies should first cover existing deficits -- not finance new spending. Obama's behavior resembles a highly indebted family's taking an expensive round-the-world trip because it claims to have found ways to pay for it. It's self-indulgent and reckless."
To read the full article go to:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/03/29/planting_the_seeds_of_disaster_104952.html
I made my first political contribution in years yesterday. I'll be making more. We must act, or we will sink. Complaining will do nothing. Only conservative action will save us.
Hags
3 comments:
I suppose if you think that the recipients of health care benefits are useless bums, then any cost is unjustifiable.
No Eric, you seem to think that somebody needs to pay for everyone's health care (have we talked about the "rich" tax yet?)
Instead of cost control via patient participation, he/they have expanded coverage with no way to pay for it, which will fail, has to, and will begat total takeover. Anyone doubt that it is the "final" plan?
Hags ~
To the extent that you are concerned with fiscal rectitude, I suggest you look to raising revenues rather than repealing Healthcare reform. You have at least three more years of Obama, who will not sign a repeal. Even if a GOP president is elected in 2012, along with strong Republican majorities in both houses, I can't imagine assembling a super-majority in the Senate to overturn an entitlement that has been on the books for three years. It really is tilting at windmills.
Perhaps, the GOP leadership ought to sign onto Obama's deficit task force, which will surely recommend raising the age on Medicare & SS, as well as new revenue sources. The lame duck session can be very, very productive this year if all parties act in good faith. Retiring pols will have no worries and the members will not face the voters for two years - it is the optimum time for courageous and statesmanlike behavior.
Please read "The New American Economy" by Bruce Bartlett (noted conservative and early supply sider) and get used to the idea of the VAT. That is the most efficient path to reconciling receipts and spending.
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