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Boehner: We Will Cut Social Security, Medicare

'Most Americans don't have a clue' about the problem, says Speaker

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2011 7:58 AM CST

(Newser) – John Boehner wants cuts to Social Security and Medicare in next year's fiscal budget, even if voters may not like it, he tells the Wall Street Journal in an interview. “Most Americans don't have a clue” about “how big the problem is,” and it’s time for Washington to explain it, he says, noting that he would “lock arms” with President Obama to discuss the issue with voters. Obama has responded “positively” to the idea, Boehner adds. "Once they understand how big the problem is, I think people will be more receptive to what the possible solutions may be," says Boehner.

Less than a quarter of Americans back major cuts to the programs, a poll this week said. Meanwhile, the House speaker expresses firm support for raising the debt ceiling—a measure unpopular among conservative House Republicans. “If we were to fail to increase the debt limit, we would send our economy into a tailspin,” he says. As for the current budget battle, Boehner notes that he’s “optimistic” about cutting spending and avoiding a shutdown. “We can do this in two weeks. I'm a glass-half-full guy,” he says. Click through for more on Boehner's interview.

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 2, 2011.
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 2, 2011.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 102 comments
BCto
Mar 21, 2011 9:49 AM CDT
"I would like to buy 50 Americans for domestic and industrial labor, 40 male 10 female. Oh sorry, you lose all your possessions and money next year, I'll come back for them then, Will they be cheaper?"
LibelLeigh
Mar 6, 2011 9:20 AM CST
Stop embarrassing me, John. The party who ran on "jobs", where are the jobs? I can tell you were they aren't: They are not in Social Security or Medicare. They are not in my uterus. And they are not in this budget, which by the way cuts 700,000 jobs.
MustangSally
Mar 6, 2011 7:13 AM CST
the reason we Americans "don't have a clue" is, that the rep and dem congress, has been lying to us for years.

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