There's the Door

RELATED ITEM: 12 *Fair* Ways to Reduce the Federal Deficit http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroo...

Congress faces stark choices in the coming months over how to lower deficits. There's a right way and a wrong way, Sen. Bernie Sanders said in a Senate speech on Tuesday. He has outlined a fair and progressive way to reduce red ink. It includes rolling back tax breaks for the wealthy, closing corporate loopholes and taking a hard look at the Pentagon budget. He also is leading the fight against proposals by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and others to cut Social Security, slash Medicaid and end Medicare as we know it by offering seniors vouchers to buy insurance.

Here's how Sanders described the Republican Medicare plan in Tuesday's speech:

"Let's just assume that a 70-year-old individual, 75-year-old individual walks into a doctor's office and the doctor says, 'Joe, Mary, I'm really sorry to tell you but you're dealing with cancer. We're going to have to send you to the hospital. There are a whole number of treatments that you are going to have to undertake and those treatments are going to cost you tens and tens of thousands of dollars, if not more.' That individual then goes to his or her insurance company and says, 'I have $8,000 to buy an insurance policy.' What do you think that insurance agent is going to tell that individual when that person is facing tens and tens of thousands of dollars of medical bills? That insurance company's function is to make money. They're not going to say, 'Oh, sure, thanks, give us the $8,000 so we can spend $50,000 on health care costs for you.' It ain't going to happen. That insurance company's going to say, 'There's the door.'"

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[crewkid52]

I really wish Senator Sanders would run for president. I'd vote for him in a heartbeat

[codman666]

Thank you Bernie!

[1 wonderfuldeals.com]

If this was a recession then what was 1930 depression? This is a deep deep depression. There no way you can call this a recession!

God Bless Senator Sanders

Keep it up...

[1 wonderfuldeals.com]

It would take you that long? We would do it in a second. He is a true patriot. We just hope he does not have a heart attack. He is fighting for all of the world. He seems so stress out.

God Bless Senator Sanders

We are all praying for him.

[William Hardiman]

He would have my vote-guaranteed!

[Bearwolf Ex]

The Senator would do great as U.S. Attorney General

[whereismybailouttv]

If Bob Woodward's latest book is true (key Congressional democrats privately think Obama drones on w/his answers), in public they'll NEVER break ranks. Doesn't matter what the issue is. In the end it's always if you don't like this, blame The Other Side. It's not our fault. They did it for four years. Why stop now?

[Antgne]

This man is what I would call an American Hero! It's only with election reform that we will have democrats of the old days. The bright people in Vermont realize this, otherwise Bernie wouldn't be in his position. Election reform is so important. Regardless, thank God for you Bernie, you speak for so many people.

[rbauer1632]

You can't lay out the facts any clearer than this. Forget the Republicans, where are the Democrats? Bernie Sanders stands alone in his uncompromising principle. It now takes an independent Socialist to speak like Democrats used to speak. I've heard Democratic congressman label Bernie Sanders voice extreme. We live in a sad day for America. Money buys everyone except for the few rare gems like Bernie Sanders.

[Tippersnore]

But Bernie, your flaw is that you live in a reality based world.

[nfd1960]

to bad we do not have more real people like Bernie in Washington

[TheKrystahlPhoenix]

I know all too well what it is like to open up my refrigerator and see nothing. And have to buy stock in Top Ramen just to eat. What the hell ever happened to eating 3 squares a day?! My son hasn't be able to do that for most of his life.