Overview for entitlements

$1.2 Trillion in Cuts is Not Enough

Everyone has an opinion on what the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (JSC) will produce by its Nov. 23rd deadline. Except the members and staff of the JSC itself. Rumors abound that the Republicans on the committee have already made a comprehensive offer to the Democrats. The …

Written by Steve Bell on Monday November 7, 2011

The Math on Social Security Doesn't Add Up

Social Security politics is like malaria—it never really leaves the body politic and it flares up without warning. Thus, the absolutely unsurprising “ revelation ” in the Washington Post that demographics and economics have combined to begin the inevitable drain of the “surpluses” in the …

Written by Steve Bell on Monday October 31, 2011

Ontario's Grim Future Gets Grimmer

In my column for the National Post this week, I discuss the consequences of the recent election in Ontario: “Democracy is the theory that the voters know what they want — and deserve to get it, good and hard.” The quote’s usually attributed to H.L. Mencken. Whoever authored it, it …

Written by David Frum on Saturday October 8, 2011

Here's "My Share"

A friend of mine has a sister who has been broke for years. Ten years ago he got heartsick over watching her struggle while his own career took off, so he began supporting her by supplementing her small income with his own money. He makes $300, 000 a year and gives her $30, 000 a year to help …

Written by Brad Schaeffer on Friday September 23, 2011

The Road to Treadmill Serfdom

It's a little hard to tell this story from Chicago without a lot of sarcasm, but I'll try my best. Like a lot of American cities, Chicago faces severe budget problems. One obvious place to look for savings: the health benefits of city employees. Health care for city workers costs Chicago $500 …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday September 20, 2011

A Budget Plan for the Political Center

The President has raised the curtain on his deficit reduction plan. Now the issue between the two parties is squarely joined. On one side, the GOP, pledged to the Ryan plan, the most radical redefinition of government from the right since 1964. On the other side, the President, offering the …

Written by David Frum on Monday September 19, 2011

Granny's Doing Fine

The Census reports that over 65s have actually seen their income rise during the Great Recession: Perhaps no households have weathered the downturn better than those headed by people 65 and older, whose incomes rose 5.5 percent from 2007 to 2010. By contrast, household income for every …

Written by David Frum on Thursday September 15, 2011

NY-09 Winner Ran From Ryan Plan

The victory of Bob Turner in heavily Democratic NY-09 is clearly not good news for Democrats. When the media hasn't picked up is that Turner benefited by not embracing the Paul Ryan budget. Mickey Kaus has some good points about the inability for Democrats to win on entitlements: It’s the …

Written by Fred Bauer on Wednesday September 14, 2011

The Mother of all Unforced Errors

During the September 7th Republican Presidential debate, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas repeated an earlier assertion of his that Social Security is a Ponzi Scheme. Read that again: in the age of Bernie Madoff, Rick Perry called Social Security a Ponzi Scheme. When the GOP nominating season was …

Written by Jamie McFadden on Thursday September 8, 2011

Perry's Goldwater Gambit

Over at Contentions , John Podhoretz says that “Perry’s handling of the [Social Security] question was crude last night.” However, he adds, Perry’s critics are foolish -- including Mitt Romney’s team -- to imagine that a candidate who says Social Security is unsustainable in its current …

Written by John Guardiano on Thursday September 8, 2011

Memo to GOP: Don't Run on What Voters Don't Want

With the national debt skyrocketing, a faction on the right is hoping to turn the 2012 election into a debate on entitlement reform. No doubt, many Democrats are hoping the very same thing. Democrats would view that development as a chance to gain politically, while some Republicans would see it …

Written by Fred Bauer on Thursday September 1, 2011

IMF To Congress: Time For A Debt Deal

It may not be in the political self-interest of Congressional Democrats to pursue deficit reduction but the patience of markets and the IMF is being stretched by ongoing delays. Last evening, participants in the “Biden Budget Talks” leaked that the group seeks now $4 trillion in debt reduction …

Written by Steve Bell on Friday June 17, 2011

GOP Running Out of Time to Win Debt Fight

The clean debt limit vote has predictably failed. But by wasting time on political games, the GOP may have run out of time to cut the long-term spending deal they want. The clean debt limit vote has predictably failed. Of course, it wasn’t the best conceivable option. A debt ceiling increase …

Written by Andrew Pavelyev on Wednesday June 1, 2011

NY-26's Biggest Loser: Medicare Reform

After the upset Democratic win in New York's 26th district, its clear that entitlement reform is again off the table. As a life-long Democrat, I should be celebrating the victory of Kathy Hochul in Tuesday’s special election for the U.S. House of Representatives. And the excitement I feel should …

Written by Les Francis on Wednesday May 25, 2011

Admit it, GOP: Ryan's Budget Isn't Perfect

Why can't Republican leaders see what's obvious to others: that the Ryan budget has NO chance of passing until 2013, and isn't popular with voters? (NB: This is not addressed to any specific individuals. I also believe that supporters of the Ryan budget have every right to make their case as …

Written by Fred Bauer on Wednesday May 25, 2011

Medicare Fix Must Include Means-Testing

Anyone who is honestly contemplating Medicare's future must admit that controlling costs means some level of means-testing. The Democrats may have picked up a seat in New York by running against Paul Ryan's Medicare reform proposals. Anyone who is honestly contemplating Medicare's future though …

Written by Stanley Goldfarb on Wednesday May 25, 2011

Don't Be Fooled: Default Will Be Painful

Talking heads and think tank fellows are claiming that paying off America’s debts without default will be painless, but their numbers just don't add up. Conservatives, whether they are think tank fellows or radio hosts, share the same talking point: paying off America’s debt’s without default will …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday May 19, 2011

Can Seniors Really Handle a Medicare Cut?

Social Security provides more than 60% of the income for Americans over age 65. Can we really count on seniors to pay a rising share of their Medicare costs? Jared Bernstein makes the point that Social Security provides more than 60% of the income for Americans over age 65. (h/t "Debs") There …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday May 17, 2011

Dump the Debt Ceiling

Congress shouldn’t increase the debt ceiling; instead it should just abolish it. The U.S. hit its debt ceiling this Monday. It’s time for Washington to stop the insanity and act responsibly. Congress shouldn’t increase the debt ceiling; instead it should just abolish it. Drive a stake through …

Written by Andrew Pavelyev on Monday May 16, 2011

McConnell Gambles on Real Medicare Cuts

After months of mostly symbolic action the Republicans are in a position to propose real Medicare reform can be signed into law. After months of proposing symbolic actions (cuts in domestic discretionary spending), decent if politically risky ideas (the Ryan Medicare reform) and one truly …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Saturday May 14, 2011