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Reform Entitlements or Else!

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    Rep. Joe Walsh, (R-Ill.), explains why we need to educate Americans on Social Security and Medicare costs.

  • Duration 4:16
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-- -- I'm gonna bring in freshman Republican congressman right now Joe Walsh.

Well Illinois congressman what's your take on these social security and Medicare debate is -- time reform these programs.

Chris.

Absolutely and in you know look at I don't believe the polls -- this you can you can frame a poll question anyway you want.

This is the defining question in challenge of our generation.

We have got to reform these entitlements or they won't be around for my generation or my kids generation.

We all know that the other party knows that the president knows actress but he's been doing nothing but playing politics with -- and avoiding that.

I think the American people are way ahead of -- -- Now congressman Wall Street hear arguments from both sides of the table on this every single day both sides of the aisle.

You -- -- take a situation where the American people -- just getting bombarded with information they don't know what to believe they don't know what's right and what's wrong and -- part of a big part of it is an educational process.

At these people.

Absolutely.

Absolutely you need to walk -- -- of folks through exactly what's happening with social security and especially with Medicare.

I mean the the increase in the number of people retiring and going on Medicare the baby boomers are just starting to retire.

We have to have a discussion as a country.

As to how we're gonna pay for the fact that Americans are living longer in demanding health care.

To not do anything Chris about that is criminal and that's what the other side's doing.

-- -- -- -- -- there's there's no doubt that that you're right but can you actually get people to vote.

Yeah reduction in their benefits are you willing to run on that.

Wear -- wear the Republicans say we want you to elect us because we're gonna increase your social security and Medicare taxes and we're gonna give you less can you win on that.

Absolutely Chris look I came here to Washington -- forget the guy's name in your -- the older guy.

That said I don't care of my 36 year old son is saddled with this then I came here to Washington.

Because our kids are great kids are gonna be burdened.

With an unforgivable that and I'm gonna do what's right you know the next election began.

But I think the American people are with us as you say you've got to educate folks I hold town halls every week that I'm back.

And when you explained the most Americans.

The demographics the numbers I don't care how old middle -- or young you -- they get it.

And everybody wants to put some men.

To solve this thing.

Yeah I mean -- I -- -- one point that I just it's scream anatomy Social Security is an investment.

I mean you're supposed to get more out of an investment and you put it.

Well there are investing in stock market -- or Social Security.

You should get out more if you weren't getting out more -- That would be the real problem with Social Security the problem isn't that people are getting more money out of -- they should they should be in the streets -- they're not.

The problem is what you alluded to represented that you have a demographic issue of more people retiring then you have.

Our young people who are gonna support the economy -- a weakening economy the question to -- is really the economy.

Where's the economy going to we're generating the kind of economic growth we should be as the world's largest nation this issue really solve itself in the ninety's this was not as much of an issue because we had.

An economy that was really flowing.

The question to me is not the entitlement it's the economy.

-- -- make a great point you've got to get the economy growing and everything this president -- has done in the last two to three years is anathema to a growing economy.

We gotta get out government out of the way and -- the backs of businesses.

When it comes to taxes and regulations so they can grow and hire people.

But I'm telling you you're gonna have swings in the academy.

You cannot deny the demographic shift.

When it comes to social security and Medicare.

Especially with this all of this these health care costs Chris unless we do -- bottom are gonna bankrupt future generation.

Congressman -- real quick on this one is now the right time we're we're dealing with this debt ceiling debate is now the right time it's.

Throw ain't gonna talk about -- fixing Medicare and fixing Social Security.

Now got Chris we came here to save this country this country's about to fall off -- financial cliff.

If we can't have this kind of serious discussion shame on us of course it is okay beautiful Republican not -- -- Jill Walsh thank you Illinois thank you sir.