Krugman says Ryan budget plan is a "con"

Nobel Prize winning economist and Princeton professor, Paul Krugman is reliably liberal/progressive in his interpretation of economic matters, which is why I read and respect him.   So consider that his is not your main-stream opinion, and that's why I read and respect his writings.    In my opinion, he speaks truth.

So now we have the Washington Post saying Romney's budget plan is garbage, and Krugman saying Ryan's budget plan is and always has been "a con."

Why a con?   Because he claims in headlines what he refuses to back up with details and data.   He proposes $4.3 trillion in tax cuts (the super-wealthy get the most, of course) over 10 years.   He will offset it partially with $1.7 trillion by cutting expenses and deductions -- but still increase the deficit by a lot.

But what expenses and deductions?   Well, a lot will come from Medicare, which he will move toward privatization and Medicaid, which he will shift to the states (won't they have to increase their taxes to pay for their greater share?).  And he won't specify what deductions would be eliminated.    Most analysts say the home mortgage is the only one that could significantly matter, and that would throw a lot of the middle class into bankruptcy or loss of their homes.

Oh, yes, and also "close loopholes," but these he refuses to specify.   And he will definitely hold dear those conservative holy grails of cutting capital gains and eliminating estate taxes.

So there you have . . . something.

Bottom line:   billionaires will benefit;   working people will suffer. 

Once again, "Trust Me."   No wonder Romney chose him.   He speaks Romney-speak.

Krugman says the pundits like him because they thought he was the "Honest, Serious Conservative."   But Krugman concludes:  "Mr. Ryan isn’t a serious man — he just plays one on TV."

Ralph