Ryan’s Support Starting to Shake. What the Hell Does it take to Wake these People Up?

I can't tell you how excited I was to see a story about Paul Ryan voters voicing concern over his “Path to ‘corporate” Prosperity” and plans for Medicare and Medicaid.

 

Despite their concerns, they still like Ryan, and talk like he’s doing “what must be done.” Check it out:

WSJ: Brian Krutsch has been long one of many automatic votes here for Rep. Paul Ryan. The unemployed warehouse manager … has been tinged with apprehension as one of Ryan's signature ideas — ending Medicare's status as a full, guaranteed benefit for senior citizens — suddenly took a step toward reality. 

"I think that's one of the things they should probably leave alone — you know — unless it's absolutely necessary … Old people need help with medical bills. There's too many people under-insured right now — especially people like myself right now who don't have insurance."

He gets it, but is under the false impression that it might be “absolutely necessary.” There’s more of this;

Howard Gage, a 74-year-old Medicare recipient who owns a three-person video-production company, said he has voted for Ryan in all seven races, still supports the congressman and likes him as a person. But, he added, it's hard to accept that fixing the budget should mean that his family wouldn't receive the same Medicare benefits that he relies on. "It bothers me that my kids or grandchildren might be affected by whatever has to be done" to curb spending, he said.

 “…whatever has to be done?” No, it doesn't have to be done. NO!

Tom McDonald, a 30-year-old personal-injury attorney … said he, too, has concerns about Medicare's costs, but he was more concerned that the plan wouldn't address the greater health issue — out-of-control expenses. "Costs are a major problem," McDonald said. "If the government gives vouchers but does nothing about the costs, who knows how high they'll go? You could end up with vouchers that don't cover the expenses."
 Char Christensen, a retired social worker, said she wonders what happened to the congressman who once seemed to vote with his heart. She said she fears he has strayed from his small-town roots and become part of a partisan machine. "Ryan used to be for the people and now he's for himself," said Christensen, 63, who doesn't plan to vote for Ryan again. "That's not what public service is supposed to be."

Feeling a little better? Don’t be just yet…

Greg Tschudy, who was laid off from his job as an assembly worker 18 months ago, said he was confident that Ryan was committed to doing the right thing. Ryan has said his plan will save Medicare and Medicaid by making them solvent for future generations.