Cuts To Medicare and Social Security? Do Republicans WANT To Lose?

I swear it seems like House GOPers actually want to lose in November. In a way, it makes a perverse sort of logic. It’s true (I think) that the bulk of House Republicans would rather be in the majority than the minority. Many are hard core fiscal, or social (or both) conservatives after all. However, an increasing number of them are into a weird, sick form of performance Jackassery. They are there to throw stink or actual sh*t bombs. No matter. For both groups they know that actually being in the majority and actually getting anything they want done actually done is hard work. So, like workers in any large enough organization or business they talk the talk about wanting to be in charge but they’re much more comfortable, happier even NOT being in charge. It’s way easier and more satisfying to take potshots, instead of actual responsibility.

Even the jackasses know two things. Seniors are the most reliable voting bloc. Also, Seniors do NOT want to see cuts in Medicare or Social Security. Sure, it’s laughable that some (too many) seniors don’t realize Medicare is a government program. It seems every election some senior citizen at a Town Hall gets filmed angrily telling some politician “Keep your government hands off my Medicare!” They are equally passionate when it comes to any changes to Social Security. Also, all but the dumbest and most clueless of the jackasses know the history of what happens to the GOP overall when they make a big push to cut “Entitlements” or flat out openly say Medicare and Social Security. It costs the GOP at the ballot box.

Still, as this article from Trendy Digests points out it looks like the House GOP is ramping up a major push to cut 2.7 trillion in Medicare and Social Security spending! From the article:

In a document deserving extraordinary credit for chutzpah, if not tact, House Republicans have proposed a budget slashing $2.7 trillion from Social Security and Medicare spending over the next decade — over 8% of the total. This isn’t just touching the third rail of American politics. It’s embracing it while soaking wet.

At first glance the broad strokes might not seem all that objectionable. It speaks of things like “modest adjustments to the retirement age to address things like increases in life expectancy. In practice is would mean pushing back when someone can claim full retirement benefits. It also involves “means testing” which means decreasing benefits for higher-earning beneficiaries. Still, there are “assurances” this all doesn’t cut or delay retirement benefits for any senior in or near retirement.  Of course, there’s more to the story. The ole devil is in those pesky details:

But the proposals go further, envisioning a fundamental restructuring of Medicare. Echoing a proposal once championed by Republican former Speaker Paul Ryan, the RSC suggests converting Medicare into a “premium support model.” This model would pit traditional Medicare against private plans, offering beneficiaries subsidies to purchase insurance in a competitive market. The proposal resonates with a similar policy play from the 2012 elections, which was met with fierce opposition from Democrats who argued it would “end Medicare as we know it.”

NOW we are getting somewhere. I can’t but think GOPers know, they KNOW this part will become the story. One can easily visualize an entire line of campaign attack ads and messaging on the theme: Republicans are trying to PRIVATIZE Medicare and Social Security! That’s something that resonates and has hurt the GOP in the past. It will this year too if they keep this up. House GOPers know it. Senate GOPers too. Even Trump knows it’s a loser which is why he’s trying to figure out how to deal with this.

So I’ll end where I started which is asking whether the House GOP has decided they’d rather lose in November than remain in power. For years they railed against abortion before they became the proverbial dog that caught the car. They used the issue to great advantage to fundraise and win elections in solid GOP states and districts and even in some crossover places.  Then SCOTUS up and gave them what they’d wished for and they’ve been paying at the ballot box ever since.

Now, maybe “Entitlement Reform” is going to be their new “go to” issue. The have to know they can’t be in the majority pushing it. However, once in Congress a person really has to screw up to lose their seat. Railing against “exploding” Medicare and Social Security costs is a good way to motivate conservative voters and raise money. At least for those already in the House or Senate.

As I said, it makes a perverse sort of sense.