tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334408760351487944.post1162756482919338124..comments2023-11-12T06:43:00.060-05:00Comments on Notes on Social Security Reform: Ponnuru: GOP should wait to address entitlement reformsAndrew G. Biggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16617460431856611873noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334408760351487944.post-78103256103144824882011-01-18T12:08:34.459-05:002011-01-18T12:08:34.459-05:00I see what you're saying, and it's a valid...I see what you're saying, and it's a valid viewpoint. I just don't see a heck of lot of evidence that entitlements will be discussed in 2012, much less that a first term GOP president will take them on. In fact, given GOP rhetoric on Medicare cuts during this past election round, I suspect that any talk about entitlements during the '12 cycle will be both parties racing to the bottom by claiming that the other party is going to cut them. My best guess is that nothing happens on entitlements and they keep growing on autopilot, and the government reacts by continuously cutting discretionary spending and raising taxes.Dellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009927940498510120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334408760351487944.post-32759360289832093932011-01-14T16:24:32.179-05:002011-01-14T16:24:32.179-05:00Good points, although I think 'appalled' m...Good points, although I think 'appalled' may be a bit strong. If the goal is to do something, then it makes sense to time your actions for when you've got the best chance to succeed. There's only so much political capital to go around, so if you use it today and fail then it may spoil things for post-2012 when you'd actually have a chance. If there's a chance to actually do something then I'm all for it, but that requires some buy-in from the White House. If not, then maybe better to set the stage for the next election to be a decider on entitlements.Andrew G. Biggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617460431856611873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334408760351487944.post-85438766988442046882011-01-14T16:12:36.863-05:002011-01-14T16:12:36.863-05:00Entitlement reform is my #1 issue. If the GOP is u...Entitlement reform is my #1 issue. If the GOP is unwilling to take on this issue now, why should I vote for a party that I oppose on virtually every social issue on the ethereal hope that a GOP-dominated government will successfully take up the mantle of entitlement reform, unlike the period from '01-'06. <br /><br />This seems like a classic game of chicken to me, with the American people as the collateral. While you and Ramesh are correct that the proper strategy in a game of chicken is not to give in to the other side (in fact the opposite - to clearly broadcast a refusal to give in), I look at this from the perspective of a young working American, not a party operative. And I'm appalled at your advice.Dellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009927940498510120noreply@blogger.com