Another fiscal crisis? Paul Ryan's answer: Medicare vouchers

Here we go again. Paul Ryan and team apparently think sequester panic is going to be their opportunity to finally convince the American public that the idea of turning Medicare into a voucher plan is a great one. They're giving it a central place in the next round of budget negotiations.

That effort will form the backdrop as the White House and congressional Republicans enter their next round in the budget wars ' keeping the government funded through Sept. 30. Unless they make a deal by March 27, the government could run out of money and be forced to shutter offices and curtail services. [...]

Rep. Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, the former Republican vice presidential nominee, is preparing a budget blueprint that aims to balance revenue and spending in 10 years. But his effort has run afoul of the GOP vow not to change Medicare'the federal healthcare program for seniors and the disabled'for those now 55 or older. [...]

Throughout last year's presidential campaign, the GOP promised not to change Medicare for today's senior'only the next generation. But Republicans familiar with the number-crunching in Ryan's budget committee say balancing the budget may not be possible unless the changes start for those who are now 56 and younger.
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If Republicans determine they must step back from their 2012 campaign promise not to change Medicare for those over 55, some lawmakers said they can pivot because a year has lapsed.

"When you sit down and explain the situation, people understand," said Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Granite Bay).

"Oh, no," promised Republicans, "we'll never privatize your Medicare, just everyone else's after you." Now it seems Ryan can't keep up his smoke and mirrors number game. He can't balance a budget in 10 years without inflicting a lot of pain now. Good luck to him and Rep. McClintock in convincing the American public that that's a necessity while they refuse to consider any new revenue from the wealthy.

With any luck, Republicans will continue following this no-new-revenue, Medicare voucher plan and once again derail President Obama's grand bargain which now apparently includes both Medicare and Social Security. One of these days, Republicans might just realize what a great deal they could be getting and take it. Lucky for us, that day hasn't come yet.