Democrats Pin 2012 Hopes on One Special Election – Spins Nonexistent Medicare Cuts Into Frenzy – President Bill Clinton Warns In Talk With Paul Ryan

From: the Los Angeles Times: Democrats are exuberant over a win in upstate New York’s 26th District Special Election – seeing this four way marginal win as having been swayed by their distortion on Republican Paul Ryan’s suggestion to revise Medicare Benefits for those age 55 and under. One special election does not a mandate make, it would be wise to note – the GOP, or more to the point, Conservatives in early 2009 through 2010 took consecutive wins in Special Elections for Governor’s offices in Virginia and New Jersey (See Chris Christie), and one Senate seat in, of all places, Massachusetts in January 2010. The Massachustts special election of Scott Brown to “The People’s Seat”, was touted as an anomaly by the press, yet turned into a route of the Democrats in November of 2010. Additionally, this is not the first upstate New York special election to fall to the Democrats in a three way race: The New York 23rd was another Congressional seat in Upstate New York, again “in a traditional Republican District”. This is counting chickens before they hatch – which should be good news for the GOP.

Democrats ran on traditional scare tactics, however, the “win”, in a 4 way race showed the Democrat with a 4 to 6 point lead over the Republican candidate, and a Tea Party candidate pulling “double digits”. Tea Party (or other Conservative Political Party) candidates tend to pull conservatives from the GOP, as was the case in the NY 23rd, where the Conservative Party of New York’s candidate surpassed the GOP candidate and lost by a narrow margin to the Democrat in 2009. Therefore, this was less a referendum support for the Democrats and more a referendum on support for Conservative candidates, should one care to count the results of GOP plus Tea Party, minus the Democrat one would understand that the issue of the deficit remains a priority with voters.

The Press however sees it as some sort of boon for the Democrats: Exhibit A Politico’s “House Republicans cope with NY-26 fallout”. The gist of the report: Republican’s are in trouble due to the win in New York’s special election and the culprit, Paul Ryan’s budget and revisions of Medicare are the reason. The problem with this scenario is one has to look at the numbers in order to understand that it’s not a selling point – no matter how many articles or slogans on Medicare cuts to Seniors that Democrats scream from the rooftops, it will not make, per perhaps, a small difference in the upcoming 2012 election – the main focus will remain the deficit.

The one Democrat who appears to understand the problem is former President Bill Clinton, who, according to ABC news was “overheard” speaking with said Republican Paul Ryan, otherwise known as the budget boogeyman to most Democrats (and yes, the traditional belt-way Republicans”) regarding the fact that the program needs revision and Clinton’s hopes that the Democrats would do something about Medicare – but that they most likely would not.

The fact remains that both Medicare and Social Security are, currently solvent, however, in ten years those who apply for benefits may be shocked to find the till empty – better to rely on a 401K. To send a warning to those under 60 now, that the program may require a revision in age of retirement in order to be able to extend benefits to anyone is fair, however, Democrats apparently live in the moment, and at this moment, are not seeing the consequences of their “win elections at any cost mentality”. They are, in effect grasping at straws – as entitlement programs continue to grow out of hand: specifically: Medicaid who’s growth rate under the Obama administration was approximately 7.4% and with expiring federal stimulus aid to States it may be only a matter of time before those on Medicaid are turned away, or denied services. (See Personal note below, it may be happening now.) Other programs such as Food Stamps (41.8 Million American’s on Food Stamps as of July 2010(Bloomberg), and spending on “Welfare” is up 42% over the 2008 budget(Heritage Foundation)

Therefore, with over half the populace on some sort of Federal Aid, (not factoring those on unemployment and extended unemployment benefits), how long before Bill Clinton and Paul Ryan’s hopes that the Democrats (and Republican’s) “do something about” the problem of entitlements turn into a nightmare for both parties, as well as the general populace?

The Problem with Massachusetts’s and it’s mandated Health Insurance Program: When an entity (the Commonwealth) is subsidizing a huge entitlement program (or many such entitlement programs as is the case in Massachusetts) and there isn’t enough money (see Taxpayers) to cover the bills – those hoping to take advantage of the programs may find themselves out of luck. In fact, The Health Connector (or Massachusetts Commonwealth Coverage) was not accepting new enrollees, and has gone to ”New Limits on Enrollments” In fact, with physician’s leaving the state, along with the taxpayers, the ability to see a doctor even if one has outstanding private insurance, has increased to a minimum of 60 days. Therefore, an entitlement program that costs billions in taxpayers dollars, is basically ineffective and in the long run, detrimental to those lucky enough to live in the Bay State. That's what happens when billions are spent on programs by the Federal and State Govenrements - suggestion: Privitization.

Cuts to entitlement programs (along with a hefty reduction in State and Federal Corporate taxes – job creation) therefore, with a limit that would force individuals to seek employment, would thus increase the State’s coffers allowing for those in need, to receive some sort of benefit. The way it stands now, it is apparent that time and money are running out.

On a personal note:

In New York, those in need of assistance from Medicaid may find that critical surgeries, such as surgery in the early stage of cancer, are not considered critical from the perspective of the New York Medicaid office - the decision on whether or not to fund said surgery takes anywhere from six to eight weeks. Therefore, someone who is in the early stages of a cancer (Stage 1), may be beyond treatment by the time the New York State Medicaid office is able to “process” the approval. A personal note: a very dear friend of mine is experiencing this at this very moment, and as the weeks progress since a diagnosis of a cancer known to be aggressive, and as the physical symptoms worsen, the State of New York continues to dawdle. This individual is not seeking the attention of a mention, they are waiting for New York State’s Medicaid office, as patiently as they can, unfortunately, that wait may result in either a larger bill for the State of New York should a later surgery be approved, as well as the chances for a cure be greatly reduced, or, simply stated, my friend will die. As hard economic times have hit millions of American’s, those who are no longer able to afford insurance, are often forced to seek help, and when those who have never asked, do so, they are told they must wait and wait. Therefore, to those Democrats who use promises of Medicaid and Welfare to troll for votes, and to those who use cuts in services to the elderly which do not exist to do the same, real lives, are affected. In this case, they may end of losing a vote, as my friend is most clearly a Democrat. What makes our country great, the ability to take care of those who are less fortunate, what makes the system weak, those that abuse, and are encouraged to do so by a political party, for political gain, which results in the worst case scenario. Should I have permission, from this shy and retiring individual, to publish more in-depth personal information I most certainly will, to date, they wait. Personal appeal: anyone reading this who may have some clout in the New York State’s Medicaid system, and would be able to help in reviewing this case (as well as others that may be just as severe), please use the contact information on this blogs profile. In any case, I humbly ask for the prayers of those readers that this amazing individual and others who are in the same circumstances be spared by the State of New York.