Yes, they’re coming for Social Security and Medicare
by digby
Why anyone ever thought Trump really gave a damn about protecting Social Security and Medicare is beyond me. He said it because it polls well and because he’s so ignorant that he doesn’t know that when Republicans say they will “save” Social Security and Medicare they are lying and will actually destroy it. Not that he cares, which he doesn’t.
Here’s the evidence, via Daily Kos:
Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC), nominated to head the Office of Management and Budget by popular vote loser Donald Trump, told senators at his confirmation hearing Tuesday that Trump’s promises to leave Social Security and Medicare are going to be broken.
Mulvaney, R-S.C., developed a reputation in Congress as an eager supporter of deep spending cuts, and in confirmation hearings as President Donald Trump‘s proposed chief of the Office of Management and Budget, differed with Trump on entitlement spending.
“I believe, as a matter of principle, that the debt is a problem that must be addressed sooner, rather than later. I also know that fundamental changes are necessary in the way Washington spends and taxes if we truly want a healthy economy. This must include changing our government’s long-term fiscal path, which is unsustainable,” Mulvaney said in his opening remarks Tuesday before the Senate Budget Committee.
Here’s Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), essentially implying Trump didn’t know what he was talking about in the campaign in making his “totally unrealistic” promises that “make no sense whatsoever,” and asking Mulvaney if he’s been able to explain all that to him and that cuts to Social Security and Medicare will have to be made. Mulvaney says “he knew what he was getting when he asked me to fill this role. […] I like to think that’s why he hired me.”
He has no clue about anything and he hired him because he looks right and somebody vouched for him. I’m sure he considers him a low level bean counter who will do as he’s told. It looks more like Mulvaney will be the one fudging the numbers on behalf of the Republican Party.
Again, Trump won’t care. He’ll be busy fulminating over his press coverage and taking calls from wily CEOs stroking his ego. This is an area that the Pence/Conway faction will run.
Groups like Social Security Works which have remained in place since the last assault are geared up for a fight on this. And that’s good because it looks like there’s going to be one.
.