Democratic Senator Kent Conrad Says Raising Medicare Age, Cutting Benefits Is ‘Balanced And Fair’

[Report1212]

It's these guys that are going to join with Republicans to box Obama into a bad deal.

--

In an interview with the Washington Post’s Suzy Khimm, North Dakota Democratic Senator Kent Conrad said that it would be “fair and balanced” to raise the Medicare age, which would require a huge cut in benefits to American seniors:

KHIMM: Obama has already suggested raising the retirement age for Medicare. Should that be the starting point for thinking about entitlement savings?

I wouldn’t want that to be the starting point, but as part of an overall package, that’s balanced and fair.

Read more: http://boldprogressives.org/democratic-senator-kent-conrad-says-raising-medicare-age-cutting-benefits-is-balanced-and-fair/

[Enrique]

1. Chris Van Hollen also

[Report1212]

3. The Closet GOP Caucus nt

[Angry Dragon]

2. It is time to cut pension and health benefits for congress

[Johonny]

19. I agree let's cut their earned benefits first

and see if THEY still think it is a good idea.

[WinkyDink]

48. Too many are too rich to care.

[Le Taz Hot]

4. B-b-but . . .

they had a "D" next to their names so we HAD to vote for them!!!111!!!! Reid needs to get these guys in line or Reid needs to be replaced. My vote is Eliabeth Warren.

[lalalu]

14. Agree.

Give Warren a chance.

[mmonk]

5. I have no doubt some will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

The third way disease will eventually be fatal to the Democratic Party.

[Oilwellian]

17. I think that time will be sooner rather than later

This is another feeler folks. Let's let them know what we think!

[mmonk]

23. Agreed and will.

[KansDem]

6. Leave Medicare alone...

If you want to erase the deficit, then get the money from Bush and Cheney and the rest of them who lied us into war while cutting taxes on the rich!

TO HELL with these people!

[datasuspect]

7. "fair and balanced"

jesus archibald goatfucking christ.

they don't even try to hide it.

[The Magistrate]

8. This Turd is On His Way Out, Sir

We should wait everything till January, when any number of the worst ones, like this dangling dingle-berry, are out of the place and can no longer exercise their pernicious, poisonous influence over our country.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

9. Obama himself said SS needs to be tweaked like under Reagan.

"I suspect that on Social Security, we've got a somewhat similar position," Obama said. "Social Security is structurally sound. It's going to have to be tweaked the way it was by Ronald Reagan and Speaker -- Democratic Speaker Tip O'Neill. But it is -- the basic structure is sound."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1820101

Poor Obama, to be boxed in yet again. Or just maybe, Obama's going to get what he wants.

1983 Amendment Vote... check out some of the names:
http://www.ssa.gov/history/tally1983.html

[hobbit709]

10. I don't care what he calls himself, he's NO Democrat

[valerief]

11. Fuck you, Kent Fucking Conrad! You DINO piece of shit. nt

[on point]

12. NO WAY. NO HOW. Dems give this up now before you lose the people like the repukes have.

Last edited Thu Nov 15, 2012, 11:08 PM - Edit history (1)

[Coyotl]

13. No wonder he didn't run for re-election, he's not in the party anymore.

Good riddance and Welcome Heidi Heitkamp and someone who campaigned on the party platform.

[forestpath]

29. She was on Ed's show last night. He asked who she was most like and guess who she said.

[a kennedy]

32. That's what I thought also.....he's done in January isn't he?

Yah, Patty Murray got his spot on the Budget committee, she's the chair. Good riddance to him.

[ProSense]

15. Who cares? He's gone and

his replacement has already been announced.

Patty Murray To Chair The Senate Budget Committee
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/patty-murray-to-chair-senate-budget-committee

[Report1212]

18. It matters if they reach a deal before 2013

Because Conrad has a lot of power until then.

That's why we "care."

[ProSense]

20. They won't

The President said yesterday they're focused on the expiring tax cuts, and that he's willing to look at that and tax reform after the tax cuts are addressed.

Congress only has a few weeks, and no deal is going to be made on any other issue before the next Congress.

[ProSense]

24. Another thing:

The proposal the President put forward does not include any such changes.

President Obama's Opening Move: Raise $1.6 Trillion In New Tax Revenue From The Wealthy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021810643

This is what Congress has to consider. There is also the Senate bill.

Reid: We Agree On How To Resolve 97-98 Percent Of Fiscal Cliff
http://upload.democraticunderground.com/10021809162

[Report1212]

28. That's not how it works

Have you been following Congress at all?

They don't just do what Obama says.

[ProSense]

30. "They don't just do what Obama says."

Really?

In all seriousness, Conrad is on his way out and this issue is not going to be addressed until the next Congress.

It would be better to pressure the Senators who are going to be a part of the equation.

Do you really believe Conrad is going to respond to pressure?

[argiel1234]

42. thank god he will be gone shortly

Exactly!

Conrad is on his way out. Fuck him!

[lalalu]

16. This is exactly what is going to happen.

Still too many democrats in congress who will bend over for republicans. President Obama has been fighting republicans and some members of his own party.

[kentuck]

21. Wait a second! Let me get my head out of the sand!

Now, what did you say again??

[Kalidurga]

22. We should be going in the opposite direction.

We should put people on medicare at around 55 when health issues start popping up. At that age those issues are a lot less expensive to treat and will increase the over all health of our population. Cancer in the early stages for example is sometimes curable and less expensive than what happened to my mother. She got very expensive health care in the last two months of her life. I don't know if early detection could have saved her, but it might have and would have been less expensive. But, there are a host of other diseases like diabetes very expensive to treat over the course of 30 years. It would be better to catch it before it becomes diabetes. We should also lower the retirement age. People shouldn't be forced to retire. But, it is a fact that when someone retires it makes room for someone else to get a job, presumably someone younger. If people weren't forced to work until they are 75 or older then we might not have such a huge employment problem for younger people.

[area51]

73. +1

The qualification age for both Medicare & SS should be lowered.

[Egalitarian Thug]

25. Hate to say I told you so,

but;

[WorseBeforeBetter]

33. Say it.

Kicking for those in denial...

[forestpath]

26. Anybody who thinks it is "balanced and fair" to make seniors and the most vulnerable

take a hit that could be a matter of life or death to them, while the rich barely feel a pinch, is sick and twisted.

[freshwest]

27. North Dakota went for Mittens, check. Protecting his own supporters, not other states?

He's wrong, there is no moral reason to do what he's proposing, but he has sufficient support to get in office. He should be ignored, but it's not going to be easy. It'd be better if he was GOP and not allowed to pollute the Democratic Caucus. The AFL-CIO has plenty to say on Social Security. These are the arguments that need to be used:

http://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Retirement-Security/What-Is-Social-Security

[Ruby the Liberal]

35. Yes, but they gave us Heidi Heitcamp

And she's a scrapper. VERY impressed with the interviews she did with Big Ed. I hope she brings that fight to the Senate.

[freshwest]

50. Great news, hadn't heard of her yet... He needs a time out, though.

[Ruby the Liberal]

64. I think she was their AG

Definitely comes across as left of left. Lets hope she stays that way!

[freshwest]

65. And that she influences her colleague to get back on the path!

[Report1212]

67. He's about to retire

He's doing this mostly because he's him.

[freshwest]

68. When does he go? Hope to get a more progressive person in place.

Naturally, I don't know his entire record. But this just sounds like he hasn't thought this out. In the big scheme of things, with the MIC and corporate welfare pressuring for their cut out of tax dollars, it's wrong. Our payments in taxes, etc. fed those profits, we deserve what we paid into, they don't want to pay anything. Our money, in proportion to our wealth, is just as good as theirs.

[Report1212]

69. He leaves Jan 2013

Already a GOPer elected to replace him unfortunately.

[freshwest]

70. Ah, no. It gets worse, then. We'll miss him then.

[msongs]

31. no votes on any changes until the new congress is sworn in and parasite Conrad is out. He has

fabulous health care and retirement thanks to taxpayers. let's cut THAT first

[limpyhobbler]

34. Half of DU will cheer when Obama signs to increase the Medicare age.

[sabrina 1]

38. I don't think so, unless all the PRogressive Dems leave, which

is more than likely to happen to the Dem Party if they do not stop this betrayal as quickly as possible.

The supporters of the Third Way on DU really are in the minority imo.

[HiPointDem]

40. i dunno about half, but the bigmouths will, most def.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

46. At least 227, by latest count. (n/t)

[juajen]

66. I suffered mightily from 60 till 65. They were very long years.

Because I could not afford to go to a doctor, I had a major heart attack that cost around 100,000. They went after my house. Bankruptcy ensued. Nobody will hire anyone over 50 and most large corporations oust you at that age to hire someone younger. I agree with the poster who said we should lower the age for medicare. It makes a lot of sense to me, and opens up the employment market to the younger workers.

[Dawson Leery]

36. Eliminate congressional pensions. That is "balanced and fair".

[sabrina 1]

37. No need for him to be boxed in. This is a Democrat, he is the leader

of the Dem party. Now is the time for that traitor to the people to receive a phone call from the Dem Leadership, and of course from millions of Americans to let him know maybe he mistook the party he belongs to.

Please do not even try to make excuses for any talk of SS in these deficit discussions. People are way more educated about this big lie now than they ever were, and no one is going to accept any more excuses from Dems.

[HiPointDem]

39. i suggest that paying kent conrad minimum wage/no bennies is also fair, because he's obviously

a moron.

[CreekDog]

41. so he tells them what poison pill he'll accept without knowing what he'll get for accepting it?

he thinks he's smart, right?

[Dr Fate]

43. I'm fine with this, so long as the other centrists are. n/t

n/t

[Report1212]

47. Huh? nt

[Cleita]

44. The Republicans should be running away as far they can from that idea.

Did they not learn when they attacked women's right? Imagine what will happen when they piss off a bunch of seniors, especially those who are close to 65 and about to qualify for Medicare. He was the reason we lost the fight for a public option in the ACA.

[spanone]

45. don't cha love it when democrats spew republican ideologies? fuck these assholes.

[BlueMan Votes]

49. ...and so it begins.

bend over, america.

[hrmjustin]

51. He is leaving anyway, but i hope this is not the opinion of other democratic senators.

[louslobbs]

52. Maybe to corporations, but not to the majority of voters Mr. "CON"radical.

Lou

[SDjack]

53. This is why we can't make progress. We just pushed back the GOP only now to

be undercut by DEMs. Come on Harry, sidetrack this ass.

[Dr Fate]

59. Fight'n Harry Reid will put the Blue Dogs in their places, like he always does.

Or not. I'm cool either way.

[Fumesucker]

54. Chuckles the pragmatic sensible moderate centrist woodchuck agrees with Senator Conrad

[Zorra]

55. Stop the Third Way!

[Teamster Jeff]

56. When Blue Dogs get to Washington they should be treated like dogs n/t

[AnotherMcIntosh]

57. Conrad is one of those who adopted Third Way principles of the Democratic Leadership Council

http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_01-DLC1.htm

Others who signed on include, but are not limited to, Debbie Stabenow, Dianne Feinstein, Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu, John Kerry, and Bill Clinton.

[MannyGoldstein]

58. I'm glad that President Obama and Senator Conrad agree on this very important issue

Cohesiveness against the unsensible vomit-slurping Firebaggers is what we badly need, going into this season of Grand Bargaining and Big Austerity.

Regards,

Third-Way Manny

[RagAss]

60. Go Fuck Yourself

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

61. Keep the retirement age/benefits as is (adjusted for inflation, of course)

and then offer an option for persons who decide to wait to collect their benefits (we do that now, but it could be extended farther). That way there's a savings from people who WANT to work longer -- and in the 21st century we're more digital employees that lumberjacks and blacksmiths, so working later in life is an option -- but those who want to retire earlier and enjoy themselves can do so with no cut in benefits.

[theaocp]

62. K&R

Fuck this asshole.

[roguevalley]

63. fair includes tar and feathers and confiscation

Of all he owns

[eridani]

71. It's "balanced and fair" fucking MASS MURDER, is what it is

People die waiting to get on Medicare right now!

[unhappycamper]

72. Kent's been watching Faux noise too much n/t