The Republicans constantly throw around the phrase: "The American people want this..." Well, they now realize that they do not speak for the American people. One only hopes that those who voted for Republicans, and then had to go to town hall meetings and protest their plans, will now wake up and see that Republicans do not speak for Americans, or have the interests of Main Street at heart. However--and this is key--neither do most Democrats. We need to hold all politicians' feet to the fire, especially our pro-corporate president, who rarely demonstrates any concern for the middle class.

Apparently, writing letters to these worthless politicians doesn't work. You have to confront the bastards, as the active folks in Wisconsin have done. Confront them at every opportunity. Raise hell. Make sure the media are there.

Don't let them touch Medicare, until there's single-payer Medicare for all!

Don't let them touch Social Security either.

If they try either of these things we need to riot inside the gates to their homes.

Hurray for the People!

This is a single battle won. Let's hope many more follow.

Ultimately, the connection between medicare cuts and war spending increases must be established in the public mind, also the connection between low taxes on the wealthy and public impoverishment.

Who's running against Ryan next year? Might have a good shot.

Thanks to Governor Walker, the people of Wisconsin have learned to pay attention to what politicians say. It is a lesson that came with a painful learning curve, but a lesson that will be remembered for years to come.

Local political groups need to get the word out about open meetings.

The trick used here in Ohio is to have a call and you can hold on the call while they talk and ask a question. But it seems that they have pre selected who they will accept for a question and that means holding on to hear their BS.

Does this go on in other states?

Are your local progressive organizations advertising meetings?

I won't be convinced that the people have won until the actual vote is taken. Time and time again Politicos have voted with the corporate agendas that fund them regardless of their constituents' objections, or how they have suggested they would vote. They count on people not remembering when they are actually up for re-election or they have voted on other issues that they think will counter a vote's effect on the public, or they spin the verbose bills to sound like they had our best interests in mind... Paying attention never ends.

I find that this set back for Ryan is hardly a defeat. The Republicans will simply repackage their plan to eradicate anything that benefits the public interest. Fortunately for corporate America, there are lots of sociopaths willing to screw over the public for a few bucks and a chance to be in the limelight.
Meanwhile the vast majority of Democrats are also screened by corporate America to make sure they have no compunction about sticking it to their fellow citizens in the name of profit. Until we can permanently jettison these sick individuals from the political sphere, nothing will improve.

"..his scheming to cut benefits for working Americans..."

Bravo!

I am glad someone has pulled off the gloves and said "scheming" instead of the milktoast "plans", "idea", "nessessary action", etc.

It puts what they are doing in the light it should be, a criminal conspiracy where lies are allowed as a means to an end. I first heard the term used in my youth in my runs in with criminal elements. We should always put what the Republicons and Corporate Democrats are trying to do in that light......comspiratorial activity using lies and obfuscation as a means to an end. Neither is working for the people who elected them. They are working for their crime bosses and we are to be lied to with impunity

I' m less interested in what contortion the Republicans have to go through as they backpedal than what Democrats will do to assert their vision of a world where Medicare is made solvent by making it Medicare for All. There is no counter offensive because the Democrats are hypocrites. The Republicans will regroup and point out that Medicare as constituted will go broke, that the average recipient takes out more in benefits than he ever puts in. The Democrats, as devoid of convictions or ideas as they are, will sputter and retreat because to take the offensive would be to boldly assert that health care is a human right, that as such there should be one standard of care for all and that all should support it through taxation. Goodness gracious, we can't expect Democrats to go that far. That might imply that they are socialistic, that they don't believe in the free market and the benevolent workings of its "invisible hand."

Politically the American people are still confused, still figuring out that while the Republicans are not on their side, they are hardly more trusting of Democrats or their president. If they ever do figure it out I think the revulsion towards both parties will be so great that only a revolution will clear the hypocrisy of our ruling class.

Ryan and his corporate bosses miscalculated. Trying to shred the safety net while cutting taxes for the wealthy is a loser. You can't fool all the people all the time.

I detest Ryan and his "budget" but there IS a real problem with Medicare and Medicaid, and for that matter private health insurance. That problem is that it's a blank paycheck for doctors, hospitals, drug companies, and other health services. There's very little control on how MUCH these health professionals and institutions are paid, and there's no constraint (except death) on how LONG they are paid. And virtually none of the payments go directly to the beneficiary. Contrast that to Social Security -- the benefits are for life, but they're limited in amount, and therefore predictable, and we can get the right mix of taxes and investments to keep the program solvent.
I do not want my grandchildren to have to pay $1 million (which is very possible) to keep me alive for three months in a near-vegetative state at the end of my life. I would like to be part of a Medicare program where I can die with dignity and without anyone else feeling guilty when my quality of life and hope is gone. And I would like to know that the health professionals and organizations who treat me are amply, but not obscenely, rewarded for their services.

Beware of bad hairpieces bearing gifts.

Why does John Nichols want us to believe that the agenda may be changing?

Because, he wants us to believe, as he states,
" the country APPEARS (emphasis added) to be changing the course of national policymaking."

It is NOT that the democrats want something different from the republican's plans, but it must APPEAR as if they do.

Mr. Nichols,
When we start talking about the WAR profiteering and over 50% of the federal budget for this butchery, THEN we can be considered to be "having a debate" about the budget.
It's the WARS, STUPID!

We also owe a debt of thanks to John Nichols, whose reporting from Madison since January on everything grass roots and the power the people can have (when they become educated and pay attention) has been outstanding. As a former newspaper person, I commend him for doing the work that is lacking in so much of today's media -- real reporting.

If there is a single issue proving that capitalism has failed us it is the issue of healthcare. It does this in several ways; 1) the debate over healthcare reform was as democratic as a banana republic. Single payer (Medicare for All) activists were never allowed to speak and in fact jailed when they confronted the Democratic Senate Finance Committe chair Max Baucous. 2) So long as healthcare is permitted to be used as a commodity rather than as an entitled service our healthcare woes will not go away. The so-called free market profteers have shown that healthcare in the hands of the private sector is neither humane or effective! 3) The healthcare issue in the U.S. clearly points out that our elected officials true priority is for the the health insurance corporations to rake in even more profit! Our welfare means nothing as we continue to squander billions of precious tax dollars on unjustified wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and elsewhere!
When will the American people awaken? My guess is sooner than the corporate elite think!

Paul Ryan is an ideologue. Potentially dangerous, yes, but impossibly simple minded & unimaginitive, a pandering tool of the rich & powerful. I am glad people are finally beginning to wake up to the antics of these freaks. It just might be possible to save this country yet!
Hard to believe as it might be, regular people don't seem to like the idea of living in a nation inhabited by millions of serfs & ruled by a tiny psychotic pseudo-royal class