Allen on Social Security and Medicare: ???

Richmond, VA - Former Senator George Allen visited with senior citizens yesterday in Roanoke and took questions about his approach to health care that Virginia seniors count on including Social Security and Medicare.

Reading his responses as reported by the Roanoke Times today, it is clear that Allen was content to talk about his views on privatizing Social Security and dramatically altering Medicare through the Ryan Plan as long as he didn't actually have to offer his views on privatizing Social Security and dramatically altering Medicare through the Ryan Plan.

Despite having already offered his support for Paul Ryan's radical budget and signed the Cut, Cap and Balance pledge that would force draconian cuts to Medicare and Social Security, the best Allen could muster in front of Virginia seniors was that he would "reserve the right to review" Ryan's plan later.

And on Social Security (which he voted to risk on the stock market during his time in the U.S. Senate) and Medicare benefit cuts, Allen was just as cagey, answering a question about seniors who no longer get coverage for necessary B-12 shots by saying:

"Thank you. I'm sorry to hear about it. But this is exactly why I like doing things like this. I actually learn."

George Allen had no trouble standing up and supporting Paul Ryan's disastrous budget when he was running in a Republican primary, just like he had no trouble voting to privatize Social Security when he was a reliable right-wing vote in the U.S. Senate. Why is it so hard for him to stand on his own two feet and explain those positions to the Virginia seniors who would be most affected?

Background:

Allen Called Ryan Budget A "Worthwhile" Approach And Noted Its Similarity With His "Blueprint." The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported, "'Congressman Ryan's approach I think is a worthwhile one,' Allen said, noting three specific similarities to his own 'Blueprint for America's Comeback': repealing the health care overhaul, simplifying the tax code and offering states greater flexibility in managing Medicaid. . . . Ryan's $3.53 trillion dollar spending plan has come under fire from Democrats for its proposals to privatize Medicare and shrink Medicaid and food-stamp programs." [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 5/1/12]

2006: Allen Voted for Amendment Designed to Divert Social Security Funds into Private Accounts.  In 2006, Allen voted for an amendment sponsored by Senator DeMint (S.Amdt. 3087) that would have diverted Social Security's annual surpluses into a reserve fund that would have been used to set up private accounts. [Vote, #68, 3/16/06]

Allen Signed The Cut, Cap And Balance Pledge, Which Would Cap Federal Spending At 18% Of GDP. A June press release from the Allen campaign stated, "Today, George Allen signed the Cut, Cap and Balance Pledge." The Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011 (HR 2560) calls for a Balanced Budget Amendment that would cap spending at 18% of GDP, which is even more severe than theRyan Budget Plan. According to the Washington Post, "The 18 percent cap on spending is so severe that House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's economic plan would violate its strictures.  So would any budget passed under President Ronald Reagan." [Allen Campaign Press Release, 6/20/11; HR 2560; Editorial, Washington Post, 7/14/11]