Obama's Plan Meeting Opposition From Both Parties
MIAMI (CBS4) - President Barack Obama laid out a plan to reduce the federal deficit Monday with a combination of spending cuts and tax hikes. It was immediately met with criticism from both tax opponents and from his own supporters - who said he has betrayed the party of FDR and LBJ.
At a Starbucks in Pinecrest, Andres Berron was among conservatives who slammed the President's proposal to eliminate Bush administration tax cuts for couples making more than $250,000, and to impose a minimum tax on those making more than $1 million.
"Raising taxes in the economic environment that we're in right now I don't think is a good idea," said Berron.
But the most strident criticism of the president came from some who voted for him and are aghast that he would even consider cuts to Medicare, Medicaid - or, heaven forbid - Social Security.
"They're not going to do it. They better not do it," said retiree Elaine Mills. "I vote!"
At Pete's Barber Shop in the Suniland Shopping Center, a gray-haired Frank Weiss waited for a trim and worried about trimmed retirement benefits.
"I can't afford to retire," said Weiss, adding that he's disturbed that President Obama has put cuts to entitlement programs on the table.
"It sounds very undemocratic, un-Democrat, because that's not what the Democratic party is all about. The Democratic party is about helping people who need it," Weiss said.
At the South Miami Pharmacy on Sunset Drive, Elaine Mills waited for a prescription. The retiree said she considers herself comfortably well off, and would be willing to swallow the bitter pill of higher taxes if it means those let fortunate are able to continue to get their pills.
"You've got to get the money from somewhere, and I think if we have to raise taxes then we just all have to get behind it and do what we can," Mills said.
Pharmacist Jenny Alfonso was busy filling prescriptions behind the counter and said she doesn't think cuts to Medicare are what the doctor ordered. Many elderly customers, Alfonso said, have difficulty paying for their prescriptions, given the amounts Medicare does not cover.
"It's going to be a challenge for them to continue taking these medications that are so vital," Alsonso said. "I don't think making these cuts would be ideal. On the contrary, reducing their premiums would be better for them."
As the debate continues in Washington over how to fix the economy and reduce the debt, gridlock appears to rule the day. Republicans have largely rejected the President's job-creation proposals and flatly refused to consider any tax increases.
"I'm fed up," declared retiree Donna Shepard as she ran an errand in Pinecrest. "So many in our community are suffering, so many in our country are suffering; we have to get together."
