Today my local paper carried a letter to the editor that just repeated the Republican talking points regarding how to run away from the Ryan plan
"It was something he proposed as a Congressman and was turned down by Congress; therefore it no longer exists."
Emphasis mine
The letter ended:
And remember, it was Obama who is taking $716 billion from Medicare to fund Obamacare, so just who is "gutting Medicare"?
So, though I'm desperately preparing for a three-week trip, I JUST CAN'T let this one go. I know I won't change the letter writer's mind on this, but maybe someone else, who is confused but not antipathetic, will not be fooled into accepting the lie.
Luckily, the past few weeks have seen several DK diaries on this subject, so I riffled through my mental files and prepared my response, which took two hours of editing to fit into the 200-word limit for a letter to the editor.
If there are any inaccuracies, please let me know. I can't change too much because every word added needs to have another word deleted, and I just don't have time. But if there is an inaccuracy, I will correct.
If anyone wants to use any or all of what I wrote in their own effort to respond to this lie, which is being spread by Republican spinmeisters, use or change as best suits your needs to address local voices in your area.
So here, in 200 words is the (reasonably short) answer to the "so Obama is the one who is gutting Medicare" lie.
LETTER TO EDITOR IN RESPONSE TO "It's Obama Who Is Gutting Medicare" lie.
Judy Huelga dismisses the Republican embrace of the “Ryan Budget,” -- which every House Republican voted for, and Romney supports -- insisting “And remember, it was Obama who is taking $716 billion from Medicare to fund Obamacare, so just who is "gutting Medicare"?”
Actually, it’s Republicans, that’s who.
Don’t believe me -- just “follow the money”.
Obama cut $716 billion in Medicare COST to the taxpayer to FUND INCREASED BENEFITS FOR SENIORS, (preventive care and screenings). The cuts PRESERVED and STRENGTHENED Medicare, increasing SOLVENCY by almost 10 years.
The Republicans CUT $700+ billion in Medicare BENEFITS to FUND (surprise!!) ADDITIONAL TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY, which BTW, INCREASE the DEFICIT.
Republicans would FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE Medicare for anyone under 55 by turning it into a “free market” PRIVATE INSURANCE plan, with a “COUPON” intentionally not designed to keep up with increasing costs.
The Republican “vision” is actually an unbelievably cruel SCAM for future retirees, who, during their most vulnerable years, are forced to shop and compare plans, armed with a “COUPON” instead of a “SAFETY NET”.
Obama cut $700B in COSTS and increased BENEFITS.
Republicans cut $700B in BENEFITS and INCREASE COSTS.
It’s not the same $700B.