Democrats focus on elections, not solutions

Joseph Schillmoeller, Las Vegas

Saturday, June 4, 2011 | 2:01 a.m.

We constantly hear from Democrats that the problems with Medicare are caused by tax breaks for the rich, foreign wars and subsidies for Big Oil.

Frankly, if the wars ceased tomorrow, the tax breaks were rescinded immediately and subsidies for Big Oil were thrown out, the net effect on the ills of Medicare would be zero. The immense problems with Medicare and Medicaid make the above look like small potatoes.

But what are the Democrats doing? House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer told a reporter that the Democrats realize there are major problems with Medicare but don’t want to come out with solutions because they will get the Paul Ryan treatment.

Five budgets have been introduced in the Senate and the Democrats have not cast one “yes” vote on any of them, including President Barack Obama’s budget, which was voted down unanimously. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Democrats have not produced a budget for two years for political reasons.

The touted Affordable Care Act does not do one thing about the costs of health care except implement the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which has the ability to ration care.

The left’s demagoguery on Medicare is shameless. The Democrats know that the program is in deep trouble but would rather have the issue next November than provide some solutions now.

Ryan, a Republican, came out with a plan that at least makes an attempt to deal head-on with possibly the most important issue of our time.

Which is leadership?

To me it shows that the Democratic Party is more interested in winning elections than in the future of this country.