Republicans Refused To Listen To Warnings

After the last election gave Republicans control of the House of Representatives, the Republicans decided they had a mandate to do whatever they wanted to do. And one of the things they wanted to do was make massive and historical cuts to government programs -- especially programs that tried to rein in the greed and malfeasance of corporations (like the EPA and Wall Street regulations) and social programs helping ordinary Americans (like food stamps, unemployment insurance, Social Security, and Medicare).

This resulted in the budget plan written by Paul Ryan (pictured above), which drastically cut most social and regulatory programs and completely abolished Medicare (to replace it with inadequate vouchers and putting the elderly at the mercy of private insurance companies), while giving corporations and the rich new tax cuts. The Senate Republicans haven't voted on the Ryan Plan yet, but it was approved almost unanimously by House Republicans.

Now the Republicans are acting like they're shocked at how unpopular the Ryan Plan is with the American people. Huge majorities have voiced their displeasure with the plan (even among Republican voters). In Town Hall meeting and poll after poll, Americans have made it clear that they don't want Medicare abolished (or significantly cut) and they don't want corporations (or the rich) getting special tax breaks.

But the Republicans shouldn't be surprised at the reaction of the American people to their ridiculous budget plan. They were warned before they passed the Ryan Plan that the people would not like it. Several Republican pollsters tested the waters and always got negative reactions from poll respondees -- even when they represented the plan as the only way to "save" Medicare. Even staffers at the Republican National Congressional Committee warned House leaders that the plan would be received negatively by Americans.

But for the right-wing Republicans their ego and ideology ruled the day. They decided that they could do whatever they wanted and later convince Americans it was the right thing to do. But they were wrong. Americans like the Medicare program and don't want it hurt or abolished. Now Republicans are paying the price of allowing the fringe right-wingers to dictate party policy.

And most amazing of all, they are refusing to drop support of the Ryan Plan (or Medicare abolishment), even though it was extremely unpopular before they passed it and remains unpopular. In fact, some Republican leaders are demanding their presidential candidates support the Ryan Plan -- a sure recipe for defeat in the 2012 election.

In letting their egos and ideology override their common sense the Republicans have given the Democrats a great campaign issue -- saving Medicare from the Republicans (and Social Security, which is just as popular). I expect the Democrats will beat that drum all the way to November 2012. But that's what the Republicans deserve for refusing to listen to the voices of reason (even within their own party).