Memo to Bill Clinton: Democrats Aren't Allowed to Talk About Reforming Medicare!
Here's what former White House dweller Bill Clinton said about dealing with rising spending on Medicare at a Pete Peterson-sponsored forum on (what else?) the deficit earlier this week:
"You shouldn't draw the conclusion that the New York race means that nobody can do anything to solve the rising Medicare costs," said during his speech. "I just don't agree with that. I think you should draw the conclusion that the people made a judgment that this proposal in the Republican is not the right one. I agree with that, but I'm afraid that the Democrats will draw the conclusion that because Congressman Ryan's proposal, I think, is not the best one, that we shouldn't do anything and I completely disagree with that."
It's not exactly what I want to hear from a politician, but it's not entirely insane either, especially given that congressional Democrats are being heavily criticized for refusing to support any sort of budget plan or tough choices of their own. It's easy enough to see why Democrats aren't backing any plan of their own, though, when you look at a response to Clinton's statement posted at Daily Kos. The headline says it all: "Memo to Bill Clinton: STFU." For much of the Democratic base, reforming existing entitlements is not an option. I suppose letting Medicare (not to mention the rest of the federal budget) collapse all on its own is?