Jeff Goldsmith on Are the Republicans Pouring Themselves a Set of Cement Overshoes?

It is interesting to hear the Republicans recasting themselves as defenders of the “elderly” and their Medicare benefits. Since I’m eligible for Medicare in maybe four years, that word “elderly” doesn’t really do it for me.  I don’t believe the Republicans have suddenly become my best friend.

Those of us older than fifteen remember that Newt Gingrich and his Republican colleagues shut down the federal government in 1995 in a fight with President Clinton trying to force him to cut Medicare.   But because health reform relies on Medicare funding reductions, suddenly they’re against cutting Medicare. (Forget that cutting Medicare basically means paying doctors and hospitals less, not taking things away from grandmama… we’ll get to that later).

I’m a planner and forecaster, so I’m always thinking a little ahead.  The Republicans will be running this fall against Obama and the Democrats for the huge federal budget deficit (which they actually helped create). So how will they cut the deficit if they:

1) Will not Raise Taxes

2) Will not Cut Medicare (the balancing item in the federal budget)

3) Will not Cut Defense (because we’re fighting two wars they started)??

This is going to fun to watch.  Look for the return of voodoo economics!