In Carlos Curbelo’s first interview since he was caught on camera calling Medicare and Social Security a “Ponzi scheme,” Curbelo has actually doubled down on his offensive comments: defending his statement by claiming that “Ponzi scheme is a figure of speech” on the Bill Becker Florida Keys radio show.
From the Bill Becker Radio Show:
Becker: But are you calling it [Medicare and Social Security] then a Ponzi scheme? Is that a correct quote?
Curbelo: Look Bill, Ponzi scheme is a figure of speech.
Curbelo has also supported the 2014 Republican Budget that the AARP stated would end the Medicare guarantee, and has backed President Bush’s 2005 plan to privatize Social Security.
“Carlos Curbelo insulted South Florida seniors when he called Medicare and Social Security a ‘Ponzi scheme,’ and now Curbelo is just making it worse by doubling down on his offensive comments,” said David Bergstein of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “The Medicare and Social Security that seniors have earned are not ‘Ponzi schemes’ – and Curbelo is jeopardizing these earned benefits by supporting the Republican budget that ends the Medicare guarantee and backing President Bush’s plan to privatize Social Security, forcing seniors to gamble their retirement on the stock market. Carlos Curbelo just keeps proving he’s the kind of self-interested politician who puts his Tea Party allies and his own political ambitions over South Floridians, which is exactly why Curbelo can’t be trusted in Congress.”