Why Republicans are hell-bent on destroying Medicare

You almost have to admire their chutzpah. Almost.

Seniors rally in support of Medicare.
(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

One way you can identify politicians' sincere convictions is by looking at the things they do even when they know they're unpopular. There are few better examples than the half-century-long quest by Republicans to destroy Medicare.

As we move towards the 2016 presidential election, it's something we're hearing about yet again. Conservatives know the Democrats will attack them for it mercilessly, and they know those attacks are probably going to work — yet Republicans keeps trying. Which is why it's clear that they just can't stand this program.

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Paul Waldman

Paul Waldman is a senior writer with The American Prospect magazine and a blogger for The Washington Post. His writing has appeared in dozens of newspapers, magazines, and web sites, and he is the author or co-author of four books on media and politics.