At secret conservative meeting, Christie suggests cutting Medicare
It is not known if Christie transferred the governance of the state to Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno while he was out of state at the meeting in Vail, Col.. Typically, Christie or his press office notifies us when he leaves the state, even if we're not told where he's actually going.
At secret conservative meeting, Christie suggests cutting Medicare
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
In the middle of the New Jersey budget battles of June, on a trip that was not previously disclosed, Gov. Christie was the keynote speaker at a gathering of wealthy business owners sponsored by controversial conservative financier David Koch, according to the magazine Mother Jones.
The thrust of the speech, based on a transcript and audio clips obtained by the left-leaning Mother Jones, seems similar to what the governor says to audiences of all political stripes back in New Jersey (including his impression of former Gov. Corzine). But this time Christie delves into more specifics about his call for the federal government to get spending under control – and those specifics could prove to be red meat for state and national Democrats:
"We know the answers. They're painful answers. We're going to have to reduce Medicare benefits. We're going to have to reduce Medicaid benefits. We're going to have to raise the Social Security age. We're going to have to do these things. We're going to have to cut all types of other government programs that some people in this room might like."
It is not known if Christie transferred the governance of the state to Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno while he was out of state at the meeting in Vail, Col. Typically, Christie or his press office notifies us when he leaves the state, even if we’re not told where he’s actually going.
Such travels out of state are only likely to continue - as will the New Jersey press corps' contention that we should be made aware of his whereabouts - because the Republican Governors Association announced today that Christie has been elected vice-chairman of the organization, boosting his fundraising and party leadership responsibilities. (The chairman of the RGA, Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell, disclosed his visit to Koch gathering in Vail at the time).
The general public is largely unaware of David and Charles Koch (pronounced COKE), who own the second-largest privately held company in the country, Koch Industries, an energy and chemical conglomerate. They have reportedly spent more than $100 million supporting conservative causes, including Americans for Prosperity, which bankrolls the Tea Party, and they are adamant opponents of the idea that human activity causes the warming of the planet.
For background, here’s a list of the mega-rich folks who attend these conferences, which was billed as a fundraising and political strategy meeting. Here’s the first part of the Mother Jones story about the conference. And for the seminal piece on the secretive but highly influential and deep-pocketed Koch brothers, check out this story in The New Yorker.
or else we could make adjustments in a more ethical and humane manner by raising taxes on super wealthy people like those who who attended that meeting to levels that they paid 15 yrs. ago. but that wouldn't meet the needs of the haves so in conservative circles it isnt an option. greed greed greed— slanted and enchanted
1/2 a TRILLION dollars was already cut by the current occupant of the White House. I guess Christie is following the lead. It must be a good idea if the current occupant started doing it. ;)
I think the free cheese lines are over. The people, that's us are gonna have to start doing things for themselves. I minimized my life, started saving more, I'm doing away with some luxuries and I'm hoping to get my truck to 250,000 miles. We should all start taking care of ourselves.
Comment removed.- This is crazy! These are the "small business" folks that the Republicans want to help? My business don't stand a chance. These folks want to not be citizens in this country, but want to own it. For all you folks that have used the phrase "we want our country back" these are the folks that currently own it and it you want it back you have to take it back from them!— Worker1
- If we all behave and honor the rich as conservatives want us to, just maybe they'll send us all to Jesus Camp.— taxmanndumbeth
- What a waste of space! Keep up the good work, you obscurantist!— junethe4th
- Crazybrave1: I guess when you hit 65 or a member of your family hits that age and gets cancer, you will simply die or let them die, and save us the cost. You can cut all you want, but health is something you really cannot completely control. Doubtless, millionaires will be fine with boutique health care. Oh, that's right, the "free cheese lines are over."— chuckw
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- Hello Wake up sheep.....Even if you increased the taxes on the super wealthy...it would be a drop in the bucket.....Can you not see that SSN and Medicare will Bankrupt the country.....It is not a pleasant choice to do so but the facts are the facts and it has to be done.....Not believing that and continuing to whine shows igonorance of reality and the inability to understand the largeness of the problem....The fact is the government Gives away far more than it takes in and it will only get worse....It is not a republican issue nor a democratic issue....it is a big government issue and none of the bozo's in DC are telling us the truth....Raising taxes on the rich may make YOU feel better but it does NOT solve the problem.......ONLY cutting programs.....aid to illegals, SSN, Medicare etc will solve the debt crisis and solve the future of insolvency in this country......Start listening to the experts,,,NOT the politicians and you will get some understanding of the magnitude of the situation....— nuggett
- "Raising taxes on the rich may make YOU feel better but it does NOT solve the problem......."
Yeah, you're apparently an expert but Warren Buffet is a novice. He should be taking queues from you right? Because you run one of the successful investment firms in the nation right?— taxmanndumbeth - Warren Buffet NEVER said that raising taxes on the rich will solve the problems of our economy. His argument is based on general fairness. He says that it is unconscionable that he is paying a lower percentage of his income in taxes than are those who work for him. — legatus
- "What if cuts to these failed programs is just what cities like Newark and Trenton need to jumpstart their economies?"
Medicare and Medicaid are not failures. They support the health care of millions of our grandmothers and grandfathers. Apparently, you think they should be left to their own demise and/or have to return to the workforce in order to be able to afford healthcare? Typical.
Republicans have only one concept: spend on the rich.— taxmanndumbeth - End the imperialism and see what happens...— DHS
- Here's a novel idea: Cut the military budget by 25% and stop the corporate welfare for defense contractors. make American based corporations pay 15% taxes on all income, no matter where they make it. Readjust the taxes on the super rich to what it was 15 years ago. Yes, adjust Medicare and SS, but only for those under 40, perhaps raise the retirement age. Make sure that people who can afford to pay for nursing home care PAY - extend the look back period to 10 years.— intelliwoman
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattkatz00. Reach Matt at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
