Obama in weekly address: Republicans do indeed want to effectively end Medicare as we know it

Florida. Political convention. Republicans. A perfect opportunity for the President of the United States to discuss '.. Medicare. Bwwaaah.

Republicans in Congress have put forward a very different plan.  They want to turn Medicare into a voucher program. That means that instead of being guaranteed Medicare, seniors would get a voucher to buy insurance, but it wouldn't keep up with costs. As a result, one plan would force seniors to pay an extra $6,400 a year for the same benefits they get now. And it would effectively end Medicare as we know it.

President Barack Obama laid it out firm and clear in this morning's weekly address, drawing a stark contrast between Republicans plans for health care for seniors and his own quest to preserve and protect the Medicare program, most notably in the Affordable Care Act, affectionately known as "Obamacare."

And yeah, he said the Republican plan "would effectively end Medicare as we know it." He said quite a bit of other awesome stuff too, like how we keep our promises here in America:

It's not about overheated rhetoric at election time. It's about a promise this country made to our seniors that says if you put in a lifetime of hard work, you shouldn't lose your home or your life savings just because you get sick.

And how the implication'which Democrats should make more often than they do'that this "entitlement" program is a hand-out is ... well, baloney. Screw that. Say it loud and say it clear:

Over the last 47 years, millions of Americans have worked for that promise. They've earned it.

Amen. And yeah, I very happily added the emphasis there.

And unlike those country club guys heading Tampa's way, he has a personal stake in these kinds of programs, he told listeners:

Growing up as the son of a single mother, I was raised with the help of my grandparents. I saw how important things like Medicare and Social Security were in their lives. And I saw the peace of mind it gave them.

And he finished off with a nice resounding "this is what America is all about" flourish:

Here in America, we believe in keeping our promises'especially to our seniors who have put in a lifetime of hard work and deserve to enjoy their golden years. That's what Medicare is all about. That's why we need to strengthen and preserve it for future generations. And as long as I have the honor of serving as your President, that's exactly what I'll do.

To read the pretty darn satisfying transcript in full, check below the fold or visit the White House website.