Don’t Fall For The Democrats’ Ginned-Up Social Security Scaremongering

Here are two snippets from today’s New York Times piece contending that Republicans have “embraced” plans to cut Social Security and Medicare:

“The fact that Republicans are openly talking about cutting the programs has galvanized Democrats in the final weeks of the midterm campaign.”

“Still, the fact that key Republicans are openly broaching spending cuts to Social Security and Medicare…”

Boy, it sounds like there’s a ton of chatter in Washington about cutting entitlements. And it’s about time we embraced reform. So, which brave “key Republicans” are “openly talking” and “openly broaching” the idea of reforming Social Security and Medicare? We don’t know, because the author, Jim Tankersley, doesn’t offer a single quote from anyone in the GOP making that argument—not an elected official, not a candidate, not even some fringe backbencher spouting off. How can one of the most prestigious newspapers in the country run a 1,400-word piece asserting that a major political party has been “talking” about a highly controversial policy position and not substantiate the claim with a single quote? That would be the first question of any competent editor.

Of course, as much as I wish it existed, there is no plan or campaign or reform effort aimed at slashing or weaning us off entitlements. The entire ginned-up issue basically relies on a single line from Rick Scott’s “save America” agenda, which Mitch McConnell rejected as soon as it appeared (you’ll find out about that in paragraph 13.) In truth, Scott doesn’t even target Social Security or Medicare reform specifically, but rather, supports an audit and renewal of all federal programs every five years (the Times incorrectly says “every year” in its photo caption). There is a strong case to be made that revisiting legislation every few years is far more “democratic” than compelling millions to live with antiquated economic ideas that were popularized during the Depression. But only a Republican, not Republicans, has embraced that idea, as well.

Not that any of it stops Tankersley from going on about how “several influential Republicans have signaled a new willingness to push for Medicare and Social Security spending cuts.” Several, huh? The hyperlink bolstering this assertion leads us to a more nuanced Bloomberg Government piece by Jack Fitzpatrick that details possible GOP efforts to use the debt ceiling as a negotiating tool to curb perpetual, massive auto-spending. 

Among the ideas The Republican Study Committee has broached to help fund entitlement programs, for instance, is raising the retirement age for some workers due to higher life expectancy (with increased benefits). And Lloyd Smucker is quoted as saying we may need future reductions of benefits for wealthy Americans to save the program from insolvency. Joe Biden’s “plan” to raise payroll taxes on the rich to save the program is also in effect a reduction of benefits for the wealthy.

Again, the Bloomberg piece does not feature a single person “talking” or proposing slashing Social Security or Medicare programs. And it is only in paragraph 23 of the Times

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases