Good morning, everyone! I hope you all had a pleasurable holiday weekend. I have a short article that I have captured from Newsweek about Social Security. I believe that it describes the duplicity of the Trump Administration in handling this issue. It is a short read. I hope it will help you understand what we are up against.
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From Newsweek 4-1-2025:
Republican Lays Out How Medicare, Medicaid Cuts Could Work
A Republican senator explained how upcoming cuts to Medicare and Medicaid could work, and his vision may spell good news for millions of Americans.
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana told CNBC Tuesday that the cuts to Medicaid and Medicare under the proposed Republican budget wouldn’t apply to benefits but would instead target the administration of them. This, Cassidy said, could save money without impacting the benefit payments relied upon by millions.
Why It Matters
The Republican budget proposed for 2025 calls for $2 trillion in mandatory spending reductions. While the budget doesn’t explicitly make cuts to Medicaid or Medicare, recent analysis found the financial target would be difficult to achieve without impacting the two government-run health care programs.
Nationwide, nearly 70 million Americans rely on Medicare and about 80 million receive Medicaid coverage.
What To Know
In the newly proposed budget, House Republicans instruct the Energy and Commerce Committee to decide which programs and areas would be cut, but Medicaid and Medicare are allotted a considerable portion of the committee’s funding. In all, the committee would have to reduce $880 billion in spending over the next decade.
In his interview with CNBC, Cassidy mentioned a comment from President Donald Trump and said there are ways to reduce spending for Medicare and Medicaid without actually limiting benefits for recipients. “The president has said, for example, that he doesn’t want to touch Medicare and Medicaid … He’s saying don’t cut benefits to beneficiaries,” Cassidy said. “Let’s look at Medicare. Is there some way that we can … reform Medicare so that benefits stay the same? But that is less expensive, more efficient, I would say that there is, and that’s where our opportunity lies.”
Cassidy added that reducing the budget is necessary to curb America’s debt and ensure people can still afford mortgages and car loans.
“If we don’t live within our means, we’re going to destroy the American dream,” Cassidy said. “The American dream will become a nightmare. Expensive rates that are too high and people unable to afford mortgages, car notes, etc.”
What People Are Saying
Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: “You cannot materially cut spending strictly through administrative tweaks. The cost is embedded within the system itself—healthcare pricing, insurers, regulatory structures, all of it. The idea that you can magically uncover trillions in savings just by switching from paper mail to email? It’s laughable and unserious.”
Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “The comments are in-line with everything else we’ve heard. The claim is there will be enough in Administration and staffing to cut, that benefits themselves won’t have to be touched. At the same time, many of the Congressional proposals call for hundreds of billions of dollars in axed costs over the next decade. It’s hard to imagine there’s that much to be saved from an employment reduction at SSA, that benefits won’t have to be included in the drawbacks.”
What Happens Next
Thompson said the Republican lawmakers may be starting these conversations as a way to initiate cuts to benefits without directly calling for them. “The more I listen, the more it sounds like they’re laying the groundwork to cut benefits—just not directly. We’ve already seen it: ‘able-bodied’ work requirements, block grants at the state level—death by a thousand cuts,” Thompson said.
“You might not see overt benefit reductions but make no mistake: the effect is the same.”
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Two things of importance this week. First, the School Board Candidate meet and greet is Happening at The Punxsutawney Country Club, Tuesday April 22 at 5PM. Everyone who can should come out and support our Democratic Candidates Lisa Gourley and Cindy Depp-Hutchinson. They are putting themselves out there. They deserve our support. Second, is Steve’s envelope stuffing party, scheduled for 2PM on Wednesday April 23. All help will be appreciated.
There are a few other things to note this week. Last Friday was Paul Revere Day. He was the man of the famous midnight ride. Which means that Saturday was the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the start of the American Revolution! Today it is called Patriots Day. Why do I get a feeling of DeJa’Vu here? Only this time we are going against a usurper who is a home grown wannabe King. The strength and determination of the masses (you know, the real people) will ultimately prevail.
To honor Patriots Day we scheduled a “Protect” demonstration for Saturday, Apil 19, at Barkley Square in conjunction with the 50-50-1 organization. About 30 people were in attendance. There were more cheers than jeers. Maybe our persistent positive message is starting to break through. If you didn’t get a chance to participate, there will be more.
I am going to assume, from the attention shown by the crowd, that everyone enjoyed Steve’s presentation. I was intrigued by the premise, and it was somewhat “out of the box,” but there was some truth to it. As promised, Steve has sent me links to similar presentations. Check them out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGuNpqYBkZk
https://findingmoneyfilm.com
Now that you have read about Social Security and you have listened to Steve, do you think that a rational argument can be made for its destruction? I do not!
Participate, Donate, Vote
John Huot, JeffDems Chair
Donations Needed and Accepted
The Jefferson County Democratic Committee (JeffDems) is funded primarily through local donations. We rely on the generosity of local Democrats to enable all our initiatives, including our year-round Office/HQ which functions as “JeffDems Central.” Please start a monthly recurring donation to JeffDems, large or small, using the ActBlue link below, or of course, one-time donation
“Jefferson County Democratic Committee”
c/o Steve Larchuk, Treasurer
PO Box 266
Punxsutawney, PA 15767
or use ActBlue I just gave to Jefferson County Democratic Committee.(PA)!
CALENDAR
*2025: Continuing need for volunteer time at the Office
– It is important that we remain active and have a presence in the community. Please contact John, John, or Tammy to schedule
– 4-7pm (Wednesday) and 12-3pm (Saturday) every week
*May 7, 7PM: Discussion Group – Trump at 100 Days, a Report Card
– These are getting interesting. Spread the word. Come on down!
*May 20: Primary Election Day
– Punxsutawney Area School Board
– Lisa Gourley is on the Ballot, vote for her.
– Cindy Depp Hutchinson is running as a write in candidate, remember to write her in
– Bell Township Tax Collector
– Michele Zimmerman
