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Rick Scott’s No-Good Plan to Save Social Security and Medicare [1]

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Date: 2023-02-11  

In the latest episode of Republicans playing both sides of the fence, we have Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) proposing a bill to increase funding for Social Security and Medicare and institute a higher standard for making cuts to these entitlement programs. On the surface, it might seem like Sen. Scott is finally coming to terms with the importance of a safety net for Americans, but let's take a closer look.

First of all, let's not forget that Republicans have been vehemently opposed to welfare measures for decades. From opposing Obamacare to cutting funding for critical programs like Medicaid and food stamps, Republicans have consistently shown that they are against creating a safety net for Americans.

And yet, here we have Sen. Scott proposing a bill to increase funding for Social Security and Medicare. On the surface, it might seem like a good thing, but let's not forget that Sen. Scott previously suggested that all federal legislation, including Social Security and Medicare, should sunset after five years. This means that these crucial programs would need to be renewed by Congress every five years, leaving millions of Americans in a state of uncertainty about their future. The real aim of Sen. Scott’s proposal is the $80 billion in additional funding for the IRS to recruit 87,000 new agents. By starving the IRS of this additional funding and redirecting it toward Social Security and Medicare for seniors, the senator seeks to protect the rich from more rigorous auditing. The senator’s proposals are in bad faith. They are not about protecting seniors, they are about protecting the rich under the guise of helping seniors.

It's not just Sen. Scott, though. Republicans have consistently opposed creating a safety net for Americans. They have denounced Obamacare as a "government takeover of healthcare," and they have consistently cut funding for critical programs like Medicaid and food stamps. The irony of this is that these very same Republicans are now proposing a bill to increase funding for Social Security and Medicare.

Democrats support creating a safety net for Americans because they understand that capitalism always leaves losers, always leaves some people behind or unable to insure themselves against risks. All sane people believe in creating a society where every American has access to the resources they need to live a dignified life. This means access to healthcare, food, shelter, and a retirement security plan. Social Security and Medicare provide a safety net for millions of Americans, and it is our duty to protect these programs for future generations. It is also our duty to create a fair society, and that means not defenestrating the IRS so that the rich can continue to play the Artful Dodger when it comes to paying taxes.

Sen. Rick Scott's proposals are yet another example of Republicans playing both sides of the fence. On the surface, they might seem like a good thing, but the reality is that Republicans have consistently opposed welfare measures and a safety net for Americans. It is up to Democrats to continue fighting for a society where every American has access to the resources they need to live a dignified life.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/2/11/2152393/-Our-Children-Deserve-Better-When-It-Comes-To-Healthcare

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