Last updated on 2014.05.16
Republican John Tsitrian and I have both said Mike Rounds's claim that the Affordable Care Act reduces Medicare benefits is bogus. No seniors are losing benefits, and the Paul Ryan budget makes the same cuts.
Now regular journalist David Montgomery weighs in, saying Rounds is mostly wrong:
It’s true that the Affordable Care Act will spend about $718 billion less on Medicare during the next decade than would have happened without the law — around a 10 percent reduction. The overall budget for Medicare still is expected to go up over this time — just less quickly than it otherwise would have.
...It’s also true that while the money will be removed from future Medicare budgets, it won’t be withdrawn from the Medicare trust fund, as the ad’s use of the word “taken” could imply [David Montgomery, "A Closer Look at Medicare Claims in U.S. Senate Ads," that Sioux Falls paper, 2014.05.14].
The ACA was passed in 2009. It started imposing savings on Medicare Advantage in 2010. The "cuts" (read Montgomery again: funding still increasing, just not as fast as it would have sans ACA) Mike Rounds talks about are already happening. What bad things have happened to seniors? None, says Politifact:
So far, Obamacare hasn’t harmed Medicare Advantage. Coverage has stayed largely the same, premiums have been flat and enrollment has gone up since the legislation became law [Joshua Gillin, "Political Attacks in Governor's Race Make Medicare Claims Confusing," Politifact.com, 2014.04.09].
Post-ACA, Medicare Advantage is covering more people, not fewer. Politifact, which Montgomery cites in his report, deems Rounds-like Medicare claims made in other races around the country Mostly False. But straining to be fair and to avoid any 2004-like accusations that the paper is in the tank for Democrats, Montgomery says that Rounds can get by with his claim by resorting, as is his wont (q.v.: EB-5, structural deficit) , to semantics:
Rounds’ ad, though, is phrased carefully. It says the $700 billion cut “can” end up limiting health care for seniors — not that it definitely will. On Tuesday, Rounds said he thinks that’s a “very likely” outcome but isn’t necessarily certain.
This keeps the ad’s claim factually correct, though the ad omits important context about the cuts. Some similar claims about the Medicare cuts that fact-checkers have ruled untrue have used stronger language saying seniors will suffer, not that they might [Montgomery, 2014.05.14].
Rounds gets a pass because he does the can-can. Great. I can say that Rounds is threatening senior citizens by not dedicating more money to asteroid defense, because an asteroid impact can end up limiting health care for seniors, but I don't see anyone leaping to take away health insurance from up to 27.7 million people just because of that can.
Republicans, do truth a favor, and kick Mike Rounds's can to the curb.
So much for the truth with Montgomery and his view of it. I liked what you said Cory as that is what we are talking about here in this senate race. We have the entire republican party parsing the word "can". This is the same bunch that beat Clinton up on the what "is" is, with the same hollow argument. It is always good to see "serious reporting" by the likes of Montgomery come out and show how slanted South Dakota politics are in the media, good show.
Take a look at Woster on his KELOLAND excuses for all Republicans political blogs. He thinks Rounds is telling the whole truth despite what Tsitrian has posted. Woster also refuses to print any of my comments which is OK I guess. It leaves his few readers with some mighty skewed and slyly slanted opinion and manipulated facts however. He also never puts in a disclaimer regarding his brother working as a mouthpiece for the GOP administrations in Pierre
I had a generally positive view of Rounds, and to my shame, wasn't paying enough attention to the EB-5 scandal to hold it against him. His ad on 700 billion taken from medicare to fund Obamacare, however, turned me against him. Totally and completely against him. There is so much manipulation and game playing in politics these days, and too many politicians think it's perfectly OK to make up stories to tell to the voters. Well, guess what? It's not! Nor has it ever been. Voters want to be treated as adults, to have all the relative facts presented to us so that we can make up our minds on a subject based on reality.
The real harm to "seniors" won't happen until the transition to single-payer is complete. And that won't happen until well after Grandpa Don will be pushing up daisies. Population control can't happen until the one-world system is in place.
I also believe that family members of the ruling elite (regardless of political party) of the one-world system will not be among those considered unworthy for treatment.
Governor Daugaard and Sibby are a death panel of two.
Rounds is employing that tried and true ancient Republican trick: "Scare grandma S#@tless".
Rocky that ploy used to work very well for Pressler years ago. Rounds is on it now.
LOL Larry, yep these two are like peas and carrots, or as I like to observe, dumb and dumber. Take your pick on who gets top billing.
So Jerry, you and Larry can't have a debate without issuing off-topic personal attacks?
you started it, sib: don't be a wimp.
Steve Sibson wrote:
>"So Jerry, you and Larry can't have a debate without issuing off-topic personal attacks?"
That question sounds like an off-topic personal attack, Steve. I believe this blog is owned by an atheist who's gracious enough to allow comments from those of us who believe the Bible is true, and I wish you'd work a little harder to avoid provoking unnecessary conflict.
Sibby, don't forget senior citizens have been on a government controlled single payer system for 40 years. Rounds is essentially repeating the Tea Party mantra "Keep your damn dirty government hands off my Medicare", the irony is lost on the clueless
Steve
The one world order argument is off topic.
Rounds must not have been paying attention to the 2012 presidential election, Romney repeatedly made this claim and President Obama repeatedly shut it down.
The Rounds/Romney/Tea party claims are to frighten vulnerable senior citizens, the problem is that since Rounds is a Republican in a red state many will believe him.
I suspect that when Rounds was sleeping over Obamacare, he was actually losing sleep over lying and scaring Grandpa Don.
One of the main problems with both Mr. Sibson and Mr. Rounds and those against the ACA in general is that they have difficulty researching economic data. So it is up to Democrats and Indies to try to teach business to these folks. Here is a nugget that shows how young folks are getting a leg up with the ACA http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167629614000411
How economics works is that when young workers are doing better, they are putting more into the system. This is called capital through payroll taxes. When stuff like this happens, it strengthens the networks that will lengthen programs like Medicare and Social Security as well as general standards of living.
My question is how in the world did guys like Mr. Sibson, Mr. Rounds and the others who are against Medicaid Expansion and the ACA, become the voice of a business party called Republicans? Clearly they are out of step with that reality with a need to be schooled.
Nick, thanks for staying on topic. You are correct in regard to seniors being on a single payer since FDR implemented Medicare. But when all are on the single payer, grandchildren will be told to decide if they get treatment or grandpa gets treatment. They will be told that there is not enough money for everybody.
Limited government conservatives such as myself laugh at Rounds for attacking Obamacare by defending a FDR socialist program (Medicare) that is the very foundation to Obamacare.
Jerry, Rounds is not against Obamacare and the expansion of Medicaid. They only say that to keep the conservative base. Rounds and Daugaard supported Obamacare when Romney invented it as governor of Massachusetts will before Obama was put into the White House. Every hear about the National Governors Association? Who runs that organization?
I thought limited government conservatives agreed with Hayek;
"There is no reason why in a society which has reached the general level of wealth which ours has attained, the first kind of security should not be guaranteed to all without endangering general freedom. .... [T]here can be no doubt that some minimum of food, shelter, and clothing, sufficient to preserve health and the capacity to work, can be assured to everybody. ... Nor is there any reason why the state should not assist the individual in providing for those common hazards of life against which, because of their uncertainty, few individuals can make adequate provision.
"Where, as in the case of sickness and accident, neither the desire to avoid such calamities nor the efforts to overcome their consequences are as a rule weakened by the provision of assistance – where, in short, we deal with genuinely insurable risks – the case for the state’s helping to organize a comprehensive system of social insurance is very strong. There are many points of detail where those wishing to preserve the competitive system and those wishing to super-cede it by something different will disagree on the details of such schemes; and it is possible under the name of social insurance to introduce measures which tend to make competition more or less ineffective. But there is no incompatability in principle between the state’s providing greater security in this way and the preservation of individual freedom.
"To the same category belongs also the increase of security through the state’s rendering assistance to the victims of such ‘acts of God’ as earthquakes and floods. Wherever communal action can mitigate disasters against which the individual can neither attempt to guard himself nor make provision for the consequences, such communal action should undoubtedly be taken.
https://sites.google.com/site/wapshottkeyneshayek/hayek-on-health-care-social-safety-nets-and-public-housing
Mr. Sibson, please read some history, American history then get back to us on how FDR did Medicare.
Speaking of history, how about South Dakota history and your distortion of it with the claim of Mr. Rounds supporting the ACA Obamacare, please show me where he does that?
I can't stand it anymore. FDR had nothing to do with Medicare, it is a program signed into law by LBJ some 20 years after FDR was dead and buried.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_%28United_States%29
Nick, yes you are technically right. FDR created Soc. Sec. and LBJ added Medicare unto that program. Sorry. So it is more correct to say Rounds is attacking Obamacare with on of LBJ's Great Society socialist programs added onto to one of FDR's socialist programs.
Bottom line is we are heading for 100% single-payer socialist healthcare in America. And there is no stopping it. And when it is here, medical technology will be to a point where we will not be able to afford to keep everyone alive. Decisions will be made as to who gets what treatment. And who will be making that decision in a government controlled single-payer system? Could it be someone with the mindset of a Hitler?
@grainofsalt-too many pols know their constituents won't take the time to check facts and/or accuracy of statements that said pol makes. They depend on dumbed-down voters to vote,no questions asked. This could easily explain why these same people get re-elected even though they have contributed nothing of value to the nation.
Jerry, at the time it was Romney's so-called market based healthcare plan that Gingrich pushed while here in South Dakota during the Rounds administration. It was based on the use of "Exchanges". South Dakota even had a task force that was ran by the current Lt. Governor. to study how to get it implemented. Obama took care of that problem for them. Again, the RINOs are only saying they oppose it fool the conservative base. And it is working.
Jerry, if you want more history lessons on FDR, LBJ, Gingrich, Clinton, and the Bushes, check this out:
http://whale.to/b/33.html
Is there anyone in South Dakota that draws political cartoons? It sure looks like the golden age for a fertile mind with a talent for caricatures.
For the record, I miss the integrity of Cardboard Mike. His quiet, reflective attitude, along with his none use of over the top, wild hand jestures set him apart from the other candidates. The maturity that he showed in his only debate, through his silence, was the political move of the century.
And then here comes Mike Rounds.
Likes to bend the truth
Doesn't know a damned thing about EB5
Doesn't know a damned thing about living close to a river
Knows even less about the truth then he does about balanced budgets.
One thing is for sure. The Cardboard Mike I know didn't have anything to do with any of those things.
Help bring South Dakota out of the dark ages. Vote for common sense, vote for someone that will remain "unmoved" by political persuasion from either direction, vote for a person incapable of telling a lie, vote for Cardboard Mike.
Well can I tare off a sheet of aluminum foil for anyone else?
The BlindmanFY
What is the internet term that Sibson just invoked? You know the one where if a tea party dude is cornered they'll bring up Hilter, Nazi's, etc.
Bill you have such a great sense of humor! :)
You are way too high there Mr. Sibson with your way of rewriting history. No wonder Woster and Montgomery get so unraveled speaking the non speak with guys like you. The "can" is full of worms, use this with your base as they are mostly snake handlers anyway.
I especially like the drunk dial one of Romney inventing the the whole Obamacare project in Massachusetts, good one, you must be in shorts and drinking by yourself on the deck today. The added jewel with Mr. Rounds and Mr. Daugaard supporting Obamacare and Medicaid Expansion, shows the effect of what you are imbibing in and that you really need to get in touch with yourself. When you sober up, I will discuss reality with you, until then, please feel free to mutter to yourself.
Roger Cornelius wrote:
>"What is the internet term that Sibson just invoked? You know the one where if a tea party dude is cornered they'll bring up Hilter, Nazi's, etc."
I'm pretty sure you're thinking of Godwin's Law, Roger:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law
So health insurance companies haven't been at the forefront on end of life decisions all these years, Sibby? They push hospice call all the time on elderly patients. (I'm not bashing hospice care, it's a good program with dedicated nurses and volunteers).
It's Godwin's Law, Roger. Didn't take too long for Sib to bring up Hitler.
Jerry, I thought you were the history expert, so why then write Hitler out of history? What do you call a group who pretends "it really never happened", so we are safe to say it will never happen? What do you call groups who will silence anybody who brings up the past?
So who will be making that decision on healthcare treatments Jerry? Don't have a clue? Doesn't look like Roger and Kurt will be of much help.
Jenny, the Big Insurance companies are all too happy to let Obamacare pay the premiums for their customers. Are you believing insurance companies are free market "capitalists" like the rest of those who have been deceived?
Form Kurt's link on Godwin's Law:
"The law and its corollaries would not apply to discussions covering known mainstays of Nazi Germany such as genocide, eugenics, or racial superiority, nor, more debatably, to a discussion of other totalitarian regimes or ideologies, if that was the explicit topic of conversation, since a Nazi comparison in those circumstances may be appropriate"
I doubt that you people have enough cred to offer an apology for misapplying Godwin's law.
so, do you want me to do it, sib?
Oh you're just impossible to have a discussion with, Sibby. You throw out all these conspiracy theories, and you have this big obsessive fear of the future.
The whole world is against you, isn't it? The health insurance industry is a rigged game, anyone knows that. Instead of trying to invoke fear in everyone, what are YOUR solutions and ideas to fix the healthcare system in this country (besides repealing ACA).
sibby, if you put up a post i'll beat the hell out of rounds with it. put in lots of stuff about crony capitalism and the red chinese.
Just ignore Sibby, Jenny. He's not worth the effort
Apologize to Sibson, I'd rather have my butt rubbed with a pineapple!
The point is Sibson that you used Hilter in an attempt to bring on fear of the government.
Goodwin's Law is not an actual law, it is like Murphy's Law, open to interpretation.
Thanks Jenny and Kurt for providing the name, sometimes things escape me.
"The point is Sibson that you used Hitler in an attempt to bring on fear of the government."
I brought up Hitler because he is part of history and I do not want to have that history repeat itself in America. Why is that so wrong?
Again, the question, who is to decide what and who gets treatment in a government controlled single payer health system? Until you people can provide the answer, the possibility that it can be those who are Hilter-minded is an obvious possibility.
Critical thinkers would understand that medical technology is making it possible for more and more people to live longer and longer. That scenario is on a collision course with the Gaians, who worship Mother Earth, and believe too many humans are here today wrecking havoc with the planet. The Gaians want sustainable development. You utopians will not have it both ways.
How was tax season, Sib?
Sibson, do you have so little faith in this country and its Constitution that Hitler's hateful campaigns could change this country? This country is strong and its people are strong, perhaps people like you can be led by the fear of Hilter's return, most Americans don't share that fear.
Our Constitution works, you may not agree with how it works at times, but it does do what it is designed for.
Words like Hitler and Nazi have absolutely no place in American political discourse. Yes, Hitler is a part of history, the ugliest part, but to instill fear in vulnerable Americans is evil. In fact, it equates to the fear that Rounds is doing in scaring the hell out of senior citizens.
Well, 25 million or so indigenous extirpated from their own lands makes Hitler look like a wuss.
Roger, if our Constitution worked, we would not have Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, nor Obamacare. And we certainly would not have legal corruption or what is more commonly known as Crony Capitalism.
Now yer just makin' shit up Sibby.
Larry,
Man Overboard!!
Like wipin' yer ass with a hula hoop, Roger: it's endless.
Are anti-semantics the ones that don't like Yiddish?
Roger, isn't it Larry who is saying America is as evil as Hitler? Where I am saying, we are not there yet, so lets stop with the big government partnering up with the crony capitalists.
Mr. Sibson, You're not in the medical profession, am I correct?
Sibby is his own proctologist.
Sibby, it's not that i hate America so much as i loathe South Dakota.
Sibson, Yes America propelled by their great were as evil as Hitler, that is our history.
I agree that big government and big corporate cronyism is the problem. What the big government debate will always come down to "selective socialism". In other words, I'll complain about Social Security, Medicare, Obamacare, and even programs like farm subsidizes even if I receive services or money from them. Get rid of government that does not serve my own personal interest seems to be the thinking. You do remember the tea party signs that said,"hands off my Medicare" right next to "Obamacare is Socialism"?
Until Citizens United is fully overturned we closer to being owned by corporate America than we ever will be owned by Communism. Why do Republicans support Citizens United?
Roger, I am not familiar with Citizens United. Sounds like I should be. Thru experience, I am beginning to think that one should not be a part of any kind of organized political group.
There is an argument that says we need to be controlled by capitalism, before we can be controlled by Communism.
I appreciate your thoughts.
you don't know about citizens united? surprising given the depth of your recent assertions on this blog. do u kno what robert's scotus is? congress? potus? citizens united applies capitalism to your right to vote. kind of a biggie. its behind increasing inhibitions to the ability to actually vote by little people. you know, the 2d leg of the republican platform. the 1st is capitalism. i suppose the 3rd is jesus. without anyone of them, the stool falls over.
you are in the right place. a concerned, involved citizen is as dangerous as a marine with a rifle, as the saying goes.
Steve,
It is surprising that you have not heard of Citizens United, it serves as the corporate conduit to buy politicians for any price and has been widely supported by the Republican Party and the conservative members of the Supreme Court.
If it is your concern that Americans could be controlled by capitalism and ultimately controlled by communism this is the legal way that it could happen.
My belief in American resiliency is strong and will prevent the continued erosion of Citizens United into American capitalism.
The solution to Citizens United is a Constitutional Amendment limiting the financial ownership of politicians.
larry, you'll feel better about South Dakota if you go stay in one of those prisoner-built camping cabins at Rocky Point Recreation Area. I'll bring the beverages.
Citizens United must be Republicans because they are so stupid that they keep calling me even though I never answer. They recently changed their caller ID name to be "David Blossie." Same Stupidity, Different name.
I guess the organization has enough money to waste their time and resources making useless phone calls.
Sib, death panels already exist and have existed for years. My wife was a one woman death panel back in the early 1980s when she lived in Minneapolis and worked for Aetna Insurance. She was a nurse in the cost control division and her job was to reject treatments all in the name of cost control.
"I'd rather have my butt rubbed with a pineapple!" Roger.
"Like wipin' yer ass with a hula hoop, Roger: it's endless." Larry.
"Sibby is his own proctologist." Larry again.
I think there should be an online collection of Madisms, or something like that.
In the meantime, I think Sibson ought to go to work with Chanette, so they can all say really bizarre things to each other and nod their heads in perfect agreement.
Deb,
Seriously, do you believe a major Republican blogger like Steve Sibson does not know about Citizens United.
I'm guessing the GOP keeps in a dark room like a mushroom and only opens the door to piss on him once in awhile.
Actually Roger, they are kept in the dark, as you said, but they are fed shhh-manure. It is the perfect analogy.
I've found the perfect website for SD Republican campaigners!
http://www.tylervigen.com
Maybe Rounds is already using it?
Really, check it out. It's great.
They forgot one,Deb. 15 of the 19 9-11 hijackers were Saudis,we attack Iraq in retaliation.
Just look at the crocodile tears from Rounds about Bosworth lying in her attack ad about his commutation of a killer. But a grain of truth is all you need in any ad, right Marion?
Liars complaining about other liars lying.
" I think Sibson ought to go to work with Chanette"
If you mean Annette Bosworth, then you liberals ought to go to work with her. Her response on last night's debate made it obvious that she is a man-hating hardcore feminist.
Do you people know about the Business Roundtable? Or the Education Excellence Partnership?
Mr. Sibson, if you wish to direct attention to the Business Roundtable as a source and then you claim ignorance of Citizens United, then you are simply a liar or you are still high. Methinks a combo of the two.
So Jerry, you know about both organizations and their goals?
Morning, Sib: sleep okay, honey?
Had a great time snuggling up to you last night in my dreams.
It was like the first time we were together: your beard all prickly on my areolae....
"The solution to Citizens United is a Constitutional Amendment limiting the financial ownership of politicians."
Roger, how about the solution being reimplementation of the Constitutional limits on governmental power so that there will be nothing for the crony capitalists to gain by buying off politicians?
Yep, I have a real good idea that you know them as well. Tell us your love for them and then tell us you know nothing about Citizens, spin it baby.
You're eligible for Medicare: right, Sib?
I don't believe he would take Medicare since it's one of those evil socialist programs, and he wouldn't want to become 'dependent' on it.
Oh Mr. Sibson would take Medicare in a New York minute and then bitch and moan about the govm't trying to give the same to anyone else. Tea party types are all about them, no one else is as important as a spoiled Mr. Sibson.
"it's one of those evil socialist programs"
that we are all forced to be in if we work. And unlike Social Security, which is capped, Medicare payments that come out of my paycheck are not capped. So after decades of paying for the insurance program, I am now not suppose to us it? You liberals certainly love your coveting.
pick a lane, little buddy.
Although I will only post infrequently here because I am tired of being called a privileged white man every time I post, I do read Madville everyday. I must say that I have enjoyed reading this entry, Larry Kurtz is at his best, the only thing I miss is Bill Fleming on one side, Mr. Sibson in the middle, and Larry Kurtz on the other side. Make em keep the faith, Larry.
I'd like a picture of that Joseph. Hot Pink Ink out in RC could embellish the image if some wanted a more descriptive view of Lar's thoughts.
Welcome back Joseph g thompson :)
Feminism does not equal man hating.
Just sayin. . .
Always good to read you, Mr. Thompson.
Sibson in the middle? guess that says it about all. am fairly new here but not much impressed.
Steve,
Should there be a Constitutional Amendment limiting groups like Citizens United from buying politicians?