DeSantis Faces Intense Scrutiny for Supporting Privatization of Social Security

Photo byPhoto 145356560 / Desantis © Zhukovsky | Dreamstime.com

During his first election for Congress in 2012, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated his support for privatizing Medicare and Social Security.

This gave opponents who vowed to defend the programs a chance to attack DeSantis before he is anticipated to run for president in 2024.

Should DeSantis declare his run soon, former President Donald Trump and Democrats have already hinted at intentions to pass non-binding budget resolutions to privatize Medicare and raise the retirement age to 70.

In his 2012 congressional campaign, Desantis was found to repeatedly say he supported plans to replace Medicare with a system in which the government shouldered the partial costs of private plans or a traditional Medicare plan. He would give Medicare effectively into the hands of profit-seeking corporations.

DeSantis asserted that he favored "the same thing" regarding Social Security, stressing the necessity of "market forces" to reform the program.

The DeSantis campaign declined to comment on the candidate's views on Medicare and Social Security this time.

In 2012, Democrats claimed that Medicare was changed into a "voucher" system. Under the proposals, the government would fund seniors by partially paying for private insurance or a traditional Medicare plan.

Democrats and Trump have already taken positions stating that they would defend the programs. It's strange to see Trump on the same side as the Democrats again. He is no stranger to changing sides when it suits him personally.

DeSantis has yet to declare whether or not he will run for the presidency in 2024, and he has avoided discussing his views on entitlements while serving as governor of Florida in favor of concentrating on topics related to the culture war. Cultural war themes get more attention in the media.

Meanwhile, Trump vowed to protect Social Security and Medicare after recently publishing a video saying Republicans should not vote to slash "a single penny" from the two programs.

What do you think about giving Social Security to the hands of private corporations?

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