California Young Republicans Inc.

QUESTION: Doesn’t THE PATH TO PROSPERITY BUDGET PLAN balance the books on the backs of the poor and the elderly? 

PAUL RYAN’S RESPONSE: “No. In fact, this proposal protects and strengthens the social safety net for those that need it most.  The fact of the matter is that many of these government programs are in serious financial jeopardy. Medicare is on a crash course to collapse, Medicaid is crowding out both state and federal budgets, and Social Security will be permanently taking in less money than its paying out by 2015.  These government benefit programs cannot be sustained as they are currently structured. Should policymakers fail to act those most reliant on these programs will suffer the most.  This is unacceptable.In addition to additional assistance to those that need it most, the Roadmap makes preserves these programs as structured for those 55 and over.  My proposal protects beneficiaries in and near retirement, while saving these critical programs for future generations.”