Republicans Lose New York Election Due to Medicare Cuts.

Democrat, Kathy Hochul (left) has won a special election in a district of upstate New York. It is a district that has only elected two Democrats since World War II. The hot issue that swung the district was the Republican plan to end Medicare, as we know it, and replace it with a voucher program. It is a program that would throw soon-to-be retirees into the whims of the private insurance market; and at a time in their lives when medical costs begin to add up. The controversial Republican plan seeks to phase out Medicare benefits for future generations, too.

Predictably, Republicans are trying to blame the loss on a Tea Party candidate, who they say, stole votes from the Republican candidate. However, the Republican candidate would still have lost, even if you gave all the Tea Party votes to the Republican. So, this is merely Republicans trying to polish a turd. A majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives voted for the plan to end Medicare, as we know it, and they will have to defend that plan in the 2012 elections. It's a big challenge for them because an over-whelming majority of Americans oppose the Republican plans.

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