Item 1: A little good news (emphasis added):
WASHINGTON (AP) — One of President Barack Obama’s Senate allies said Thursday that an increase in the Medicare eligibility age is “no longer one of the items being considered by the White House” in negotiations with top Republicans on avoiding the so-called fiscal cliff…
Reminder: Brad DeLong directs us to a pro-con debate on raising the Medicare eligibility age (Spoiler Alert: The con side, argued by Dr. Aaron Carroll, wins big.):
It’s a bad idea because it will raise the number of uninsured dramatically… It’s a bad idea because it will be bad for health. Studies have shown that uninsured adults nearly eligible for Medicare often forgo care until they get Medicare and then use more care once they get in…It’s a bad idea because it will cost America money, not save it. This is the hardest reason to swallow, but it’s true…
Item 2: For all intents and purposes, the GOP has become a cargo cult. If you talk about spending cuts and eliminating tax deductions then they’ll simply happen, right? Personally, I’m skeptical. Nevermind whether the underlying goals are good or bad, for a plan to be plausible the details have to at least be sketched out. Greg Sargent:
I spoke this morning to an official familiar with the fiscal cliff talks. He tells me that ever since Republicans rejected the first White House fiscal offer, White House negotiators have been asking Republicans to detail both the spending cuts they want and the loopholes and deductions they would close to raise revenues while avoiding a hike in tax rates for the rich.
According to the official, Republicans continue to refuse to answer.
Memories of the underpants gnomes:
- Advocate for spending cuts, elimination of tax loopholes and deductions, etc., etc.
- ???
- The deficit is eliminated and the economy is saved.
Item 3: Of course, if the world ends next Friday then all these Fiscal Cliff negotiations will be moot.
Update:
Paul Krugman on the GOP as cargo cult here:
The G.O.P. is lost and rudderless, bitter and angry, but it still controls the House and, therefore, retains the ability to do a lot of harm, as it lashes out in the death throes of the conservative dream.