There’s an almost endless list of reasons that former Vice President Mike Pence will never be President of the United States, but something he said earlier today is proof-positive that Pence doesn’t even understand which way the political winds are blowing.
During an appearance on Fox News, Pence said he believes it’s time to “replace” Medicare and Social Security.
“We are simply not going to reform the fiscal health of this nation by simply nibbling at the edges of the federal budget. I submit to you that we have to have a conversation about reforming entitlements in the days ahead.
“I think we can replace the New Deal programs with a better deal.”
How might that be done? Pence explained that he would leave the current system in place for anyone who will retire in the next 20 years, adding:
“But give options to younger Americans to invest a portion of their Social Security in a private savings account and get a better deal. I think [it] is an idea whose time will come.”
That led Fox host Sandra Smith to ask, “Do you think there’s an appetite for that?”
Pence:
“It’s all about leadership. We can replace the New Deal with a better deal, and I’m going to be a part of that conversation.”
Remember when George W. Bush suggested privatizing Social Security after he was reelected in 2004. His poll numbers plummeted and the vast majority of Americans said the government needed to leave the program alone.
Pence, like so many on the right, wants to destroy the social safety net for the elderly and most vulnerable among us. They’re callous, heartless bastards who have no place in elected office.