Problem: Seniors Aren't Free

Democracy and Power 107:  Counting votes Successful … politicians are insecure and intimidated men. They advance politically only as they placate, appease, bribe, seduce, bamboozle or otherwise manage to manipulate the demanding and threatening elements in their constituencies. – Walter Lippmann (1889-1974), American Journalist and Author  

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) have just unveiled a new Medicare reform plan that purports to be a bipartisan “third way” that would give both political parties what they want: 

Dear FreedomWorks member, As one of our one million-plus FreedomWorks members nationwide, I urge you to contact your representatives and ask them to cosponsor S. 1317, the Retirement Freedom Act. Introduced by Sen. DeMint (S.C.), the bill would allow individuals to choose to opt out of the Medicare part A benefit. The Retirement Freedom Act will restore seniors’ personal liberty to maintain a health care plan of their choice and save taxpayer dollars in the process.

On May 16, 2011, the US public debt once again reached the debt ceiling (the legal cap set by Congress for how much the United States is allowed to borrow). The United States’ debt now stands at around 14.3 trillion dollars.  A quick visit to usdebtclock.org shows that the United States now owes around $46,000 dollars per citizen and over $129,000 per taxpayer. Those are big numbers; numbers big enough to get many lawmakers on both side of the aisle talking about reducing the deficit.

The Great Debt Ceiling Debate of 2011 has begun, and FreedomWorks has published this handy scorecard to help you follow the action and weigh in. Here, on one page, is where all the key players stand: 

3 SEC. 223. PAYMENT RATES FOR ITEMS AND SERVICES.