The Douche from Wisconsin's First, Isn't Wisconsin's First

Wisconsin wunderCongressman Paul Ryan (WI-01) was on Morning Joe today to discuss his plan to save America. He calls it “A Roadmap for America’s Future.” This plan offers a great lesson in American politics and policymaking and why sometimes no new ideas is better than stupid ones. For the past 7 weeks, since Barack Obama became President, the Republicans have earned the media nickname, “the party of NO!” They have rejected most of the President's large proposals, while offering nothing in response.

To counter this moniker, Congressman Ryan ran through another bottle of cheap hair gel and an aerosol canister of Aquanet and defibrillated his proposal from last May on how to save America. In it, of course, he offers the typical Republican policymaking meme of fellating Ronald Reagan’s corpse with a consistent chant for failed economic policy. One would think that given the changes in America’s economic situation, Congressman Ryan would adjust his proposal. NOPE! Such silly thoughts. These adjustments would occur in a rational political environment, but not in the vacuous abyss that is the GOP.

The best part of the proposal involves retirement plans. He regurgitated Bush’s plan of private retirement accounts, by allowing individuals to take 1/3 of their social security tax withholding to put into a private savings account that would allow their money to enjoy all of the benefits of the stock market. This proposal was introduced in May of 2008. On May 1, 2008, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 13,010.00. This afternoon, the stock index closed at a booming 6,926.49—a loss of 47%. Ryan’s proposal would have the government ensure that you would at least make as much money as you would have, had you kept all of your money in Social Security. So, under the Ryan plan, the government would not receive a portion of individuals' Social Security taxes, but during a period of economic recession, the government would have to pay out an excess of money it did not receive in revenue.

That is grade A fiscal responsibility. Lower taxes so the government gets less money, but demand it pays out the same amount as before. I guess in the end, Paul Ryan is honoring the Gipper quite well: total fiscal irresponsibility with a total lack of sensibility. Sadly, Ryan can’t blame a deteriorating brain. And even if he could, he’s against research that might help revive his facilities. In the end, Wisconsin has another politician to put in the Political Hall of Fame. His bust can be placed right next to Joseph McCarthy's.

-Ginger