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- iHaveNet.com: Politics
by Bill Press
April 25, 2011
OK. Whether you like his plan or not, can we all agree on one thing? Paul Ryan does not walk on water. But you'd never know that from the media adulation that's smothered him ever since he announced his deficit-reduction plan.
You know Ryan. He's the guy with the "jet black hair and a touch of Eagle Scout to him," gushes
Oh, give me a break. Get a room!
Let's be honest. I've never gazed into Paul Ryan's "piercing blue eyes," but I have examined his plan. There's nothing bold, comprehensive, courageous, or even original about it. It's nothing but a collection of all the recycled, right-wing, rejected Republican policies of the past, rolled into one document. Most of which are less applicable today than when they were first proposed by Ronald Reagan more than 30 years ago.
Here's what Ryan's plan would do. For a long time, Republicans have yearned to get rid of
Ryan would shut down
As for new sources of revenue, there aren't any. Ryan pretends we can get rid of the deficit by budget cuts alone. In fact, he would further slash revenues by offering the wealthiest Americans yet another tax cut, and lowering the tax rate for big corporations, even though most of them don't pay their fair share today, if they pay any taxes at all.
But the biggest secret about the Ryan plan is that, when it comes to balancing the deficit, it's a total con job. Especially because it contains no new sources of revenue, it would take a long time to kick in. In fact, the Republican Study Committee estimates that Ryan's scheme would actually not balance the federal budget until 2050 -- or maybe even 2080! And getting from here to there would require raising the debt ceiling multiple times.
As disastrous as his plan is for the American people, Congressman Ryan actually did President Obama a big favor by releasing it when he did. And
Thanks to them, the debate over 2012 is now clearly framed. The differences are real. And Obama amplified those differences for the entire nation to see in his speech on fiscal policy at
Because, between these two budget plans, already the choice facing voters is clear. Obama's plan would save
Which even members of the media must recognize. Indeed, with President Obama's own roadmap for cutting the deficit now on the table, it's time for reporters to stop focusing on Paul Ryan's black hair and blue eyes -- and start exposing the cruel realities of his plan.
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