As we all know, the “Very Serious People” go on and on about how Social Security is not affordable….After all, look at this picture from the CBO looking at budget impact:

Needless to say, it’s clear that it’s medical costs, and not Social Security that are the issue, But Kevin Drum explains why the “Very Serious People” think that Social Security must be gutted today:

Of course, Russert and his pals actually use medical services, of which Medicare is merely a reflection, and are thus not quite so keen to bang on endlessly about how we should be working to control medical costs and distribute medical care more efficiently and more equitably. After all, that might actually affect them. Slashing Social Security benefits really doesn’t.

This, is more than an insight into their attitudes into Social security. This is an insight into their attitudes on EVERYTHING. Basically, it’s all about making the tough choices that hurt other people.

That is what makes one a “Very Serious Person” in Washington DC. Hurting those who have no power and who you don’t know, except perhaps as landscapers, housekeepers, and waiters. They define this as bold thinking.

I believe that Marie Antoinette said something similar, “Let them eat cake.”