HuffPo: Rev. Jesse Jackson: GOP Goes After Most Vulnerable

[True_Blue]

"After holding the country hostage to force continued tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, Republicans are now announcing their second priority: cutting government spending, particularly the part that goes to the most vulnerable Americans.

In the Republican New Year's radio address, incoming Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire announced that for newly elected Republicans, "Job One is to stop wasteful Washington spending... The American people sent us to Congress with clear instructions: make government smaller, not bigger." High on their targets is what is left in the Obama recovery act, and any aid to states and localities already facing cuts in teachers and police. "

..........

"High on the conservative hit list is Social Security. The president's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform co-chairs released a report calling for deep cuts in benefits, both raising the retirement age and cutting benefits over time for most retirees. Now, this isn't surprising. Co-chair Alan Simpson, a former Wyoming U.S. senator, has always mocked what he calls "greedy geezers" and scorns Social Security as welfare. And co-chair Erskine Bowles, an investment banker and former White House chief of staff, had been eager to privatize Social Security under Clinton.

But their report is now going to an incoming Republican majority whose budget chair has wanted to cut Social Security and turn Medicare into a voucher program so seniors would pay the cost of rising health-care expenditures."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-jesse-jackson/gop-goes-after-most-vulne_b_804796.html

[NorthCarolina]

1. After the last election, there are far fewer Blue Dogs to assist them in their efforts. nt