The Democrats won a special congressional election in New York two days ago by claiming the Republicans plan to “end Medicare” and by misrepresenting the Democrats’ do-nothing plan.
It should have been no surprise. Democrats have won lots of elections with dishonesty about the nation’s finances. Trouble is, their demagoguery has taken America to the edge of collapse.
Yesterday, former President Clinton called them on it.
Lose elections. He said the Democrats should consider losing some elections and act courageously -- do something -- to save the country.
Clinton said it at Washington forum of the Pete Peterson Foundation, which is dedicated to bipartisan cooperation to put America’s entitlement spending on a sustainable path.
He said the Republicans’ Medicare plan, drafted by Congressman Paul Ryan, isn’t perfect, but the Democrats’ failure to propose any plan to pay for Medicare is irresponsible.
“I’m afraid that the Democrats will draw the conclusion that because Congressman Ryan’s proposal, I think, is not the best one, that we shouldn’t do anything and I completely disagree with that.”
Excuse for paralysis. Clinton summed up his position in a semi-private conversation with Ryan, who was attending the same Pete Peterson Foundation forum:
“So anyway, I told them before you got here, I said I’m glad we won this race in New York,” Clinton told Ryan, when the two met backstage at a forum on the national debt held by the Pete Peterson Foundation. But he added, “I hope Democrats don't use this as an excuse to do nothing.”Ryan told Clinton he fears that now nothing will get done in Washington.
“My guess is it’s going to sink into paralysis is what’s going to happen. And you know the math. It’s just, I mean, we knew we were putting ourselves out there. You gotta start this. You gotta get out there. You gotta get this thing moving,” Ryan said.
Clinton told Ryan that if he ever wanted to talk about it, he should “give me a call.” Ryan said he would.
Good for President Clinton.
Meanwhile, Kathy Hochul of New York prepares to take the oath of office in Congress because she deceived voters to get elected. Shame on her.
Frank Warner
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