I can't stand to hear one more Democratic operative on MSNBC stumble through a well-meaning but confusing analysis of how to differentiate between the 700B cuts Team Obama has made to CUT WASTE in order to INCREASE BENEFITS and the Ryan/Romney $700B in BENEFIT CUTS, TO FUND TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH. We need a SHORT message. It's not that hard:
Repeat after me:
Obama Cuts 700B in waste to fund INCREASED BENEFITS (e.g., preventive screenings)
Ryan/Romney's plan cuts 700B in BENEFITS to fund MORE TAX CUTS FOR THEMSELVES and other rich people.
We have to get the framing right or we risk losing on our strongest issue -- preservation of traditional medicare and the social safety net.
We have not yet won the framing war, which the Republicans are ferociously waging with lies and distortions.
Long, thoughtful explanations about the details of the Medicare Advantage or Obamacare programs will not do it.
Framing needs to be short, sweet, and have emotional appeal, not rely on logical analysis with charts and graphs.
SO: the short version (we can always explain the details) is:
Obama cuts 700B in WASTE from ineffective programs IN ORDER TO FUND INCREASED BENEFITS for seniors. (Like preventive screenings) AND INCREASE SOLVENCY.
Romney/Ryan cuts 700B in BENEFITS from seniors in order to fund increased TAX CUTS for the wealthy, INCREASING THE DEFICIT and leaving seniors with a coupon to "help" them buy insurance in the open market.
ITS MEDICARE AS WE KNOW IT VERSUS COUPONS FOR SENIORS
Repeat after me: Obama's plan cuts 700B in WASTE to FUND INCREASED BENEFITS
Ryan/Romney's plan CUTS BENEFITS to FUND MORE TAX CUTS for the rich.