Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Obama vs the Republicans

The New York Times has a side-by-side comparison of the Republican plan vs President Obama's. They are too generous so I simplified it a bit:

Medicare

Republicans

For people now under 55, the federal government would contribute a specified amount of money toward the premium for private health insurance, turning Medicare into a voucher program.

Obama

pass

Medicaid

Republicans

Medicaid would be transformed into a block grant, with a lump sum of federal money given to the states to care for low-income people. According the the proposal, federal spending would be $771 billion lower over the next decade, compared with current policy.

Obama

Punt to the governors

Social Security

Republicans

No changes to Social Security are specified, though the proposal would "force policymakers to come to the table and enact common-sense reforms."

Obama

Pass

Military spending

Republicans

Pass

Obama

Military spending would be cut $400 billion over the next 12 years.

Domestic discretionary spending

Republicans

Proposes cutting $1.6 trillion over 10 years.

Obama

Pass ($600 billion over 10 years)

Taxes

Republicans

For both corporations and individuals, the top tax rate would be lower, but tax breaks would be eliminated, offsetting these changes.

Obama

Soak the rich


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