Liberals Dance On The Grand Bargain's Grave

BuzzFeed - Progressive groups say their “no compromise” stance on entitlement cuts is the way to win. “I would be so happy if we were seen as inflexible on those issues,” said a progressive strategist. AP Photo WASHINGTON — The latest round of fiscal talks was always unlikely to produce any kind of big bipartisan bargain, and liberals are just fine with that. Liberals have always been nervous about the prospect of a grand fiscal deal, fearing congressional leaders and the White House would agree to proposals like raising the Medicare retirement age or change the way Social Security benefits are calculated in exchange for new revenue. That change to Social Security, known as chained CPI, is supported by Republicans and was also included in President Barack Obama's budget last year. Each side has blamed the other for being inflexible — Republicans refuse to raise taxes, Democrats say; Republicans charge Democrats refuse to touch entitlement programs and man