Quote:
Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind
Deacon, I don't mind if the republicans take power, because you are going to see how republicans won't do a thing to improve the economy or the deficit.
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1/31/2010
Fact-Checking Bogus DCCC "Fact Check" on Budget, Health Care
With its characteristically casual acquaintance with the facts, the DCCC blog today posted a "fact check" of GOP Leader Boehner’s appearance on Meet the Press.
In doing so, they themselves acknowledge –ironically, considering their usual rhetoric – that Republicans have in fact crafted real alternatives to their reckless $3.6 trillion budget and government takeover of health care.
For example, the DCCC beats the long-debunked drum that Republicans unveiled a budget with "no numbers" – in fact, our budget, written by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), would curb spending and get control of the debt:
* "Rather than attempting to equalize the results of peoples' lives and micromanaging their affairs, [Republicans] seek to preserve our system of protecting our natural rights and equalizing opportunity for all. The plan works to accomplish four main goals: 1) fulfill the mission of health and retirement security; 2) control our nation's debts; 3) put the economy on a path of growth and leadership in the global economy; and 4) preserve the American legacy of leaving the next generation better off." (by Rep. Paul Ryan [R-WI], The GOP's Alternative Budget, Wall Street Journal, 4/1/09)
* "Republicans in the House Wednesday pressed a budget plan that would cut taxes and radically overhaul Medicare, offering a stark alternative to blueprints offered by President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies. The plan, drafted by Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, the top Republican on the Budget Committee, also freezes overall spending on domestic programs passed by Congress each year and repeals most of the spending in Obama's recently passed economic stimulus bill." (GOP proposes big tax cuts, spending curbs, Associated Press, 4/1/09)
* "The Republican plan would freeze most non-defense spending for five years, overhaul Medicare for people 54 and younger by turning the benefit into a premium support payment, establish a means test for future Social Security benefits (potentially reducing payments to wealthier Americans) and simplify the tax code by establishing a new system with two rates of 10% and 25%." (Administration Criticizes GOP’s 'Bush Era' Budget, Wall Street Journal, 4/1/09)
* Path to American Prosperity: A Better Budget – a side-by-side comparison of the Democratic and Republican budget proposals.
The DCCC also took a shot at the Republican health care alternative which is focused on driving down costs as opposed to the Democratic plan that’s focused on expanding government and increasing spending:
* "Exactly the opposite of the House Democrat health plan, the Republican alternative would actually reduce the cost of health insurance and care. It would also expand coverage and provide a safety net ensuring that no one would be excluded from essential health coverage or care. It would also expand consumer choice and control over health care. At the same time, the Republican plan involves no tax increases, no Medicare cuts, no rationing, and no increased deficits now or in the future." (The Republican Alternative, American Spectator, 11/18/09)
* The Washington Examiner reported that "[t]he Congressional Budget Office Wednesday night released its cost analysis of the Republican health care plan and found that it would reduce health care premiums and cut the deficit by $68 billion over ten years." And "[a]ccording to CBO, the GOP bill would indeed lower costs, particularly for small businesses that have trouble finding affordable health care policies for their employees" – critical at a time when one-in-ten Americans is out of work. (CBO: Republican health plan would reduce premiums, cut deficit, Washington Examiner, 11/5/09)
* "Republicans are offering an alternative health reform plan that should at least be debated before Congress rushes to turn the nation's health care system inside out. ... It fulfills many of the promises made by President Barack Obama -- it aggressively controls costs, it guarantees Americans can keep their existing plans, and it increases competition in the insurance industry -- far better than the Pelosi bill. The GOP plan deals strictly with cost and access and avoids the distractive intrusions into personal health care choices contained in the Democratic package." (GOP offers cheaper approach to health reform, Detroit News, 11/6/09)
* "Expands and revamps high-risk pools for people who can't get health insurance because of pre-existing medical conditions. Offers tax breaks to encourage enrollment in health savings accounts. Provides incentive grants to states that take steps to reduce insurance premiums and reduce the number of uninsured." (Details on health care bills in House, Senate, Associated Press, 4/8/09)
* "The CBO also found that health insurance premiums for many American families will cost nearly $5,000 more under Democrat reforms than they would under the Republican plan." (CBO Analysis Says Repub Healthcare Alternative Reduces Costs, Human Events, 11/5/09)
* "[T]he Republican proposal appears more responsive to Americans' chief concern — cost — while offering credible mechanisms to control them without remaking the health care system in Washington's image." (Cost control: GOP alternative valuable in debate, The Oklahoman, 11/4/09)
* Side-by-Side: Pelosi's Health Care Takeover vs. the GOP Alternative – a side-by-side comparison of the Democratic and Republican health care proposals.
Thanks to the DCCC for giving us the chance to clear that up.
http://freedomproject.org/Blog/Read....1-1c9c57bb2368
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