WATCH WHAT HE DOES, NOT WHAT HE SAYS

You already understand, I trust, that the thrust of Bush's Social Security proposal is simple: Divide and conquer. The more marginalized recipients are, the easier it will be to destroy Social Security completely.

It was designed the way it is for broad-based support. They know that. That's why they're trying to chip away at the foundation - just as they're doing now with Medicaid:

WASHINGTON - The House narrowly passed a $2.6 trillion budget Thursday evening that would cut back the Medicaid health care program for the poor for the first time since 1997 in a step toward trimming federal deficits.

The 214-211 vote approved a blueprint that instructs lawmakers to freeze or cut spending in many domestic programs outside defense and homeland security and restrain farm, student loan, pension and some other government programs that grow automatically from year to year.

The Senate simultaneously debated the measure and moved toward a vote Thursday night.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, said it's time to look closely at benefit programs that are "popular but rife with waste."

"These entitlement programs deserve reform," he said. "The Medicaid system is antiquated and the quality of care is not being brought to the people that need it."

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