Speak Out: More Republican Hypocrisy

Replies (34)

• Ok, let's assume that Bruce Bartlett has his facts correct. Then why would we want to heap coal to the fire by passing this failure of a bill?

  I believe the Medicare Prescription Drug bill was the result of a string of Democrats dragging hapless senior citizens to the stage during political rallies and other functions, all with a litany of medical problems and having to choose between food and prescription drugs.

  That plank is now gone from the Democrats platform... I don't blame them for being p*s*ed.

  Yes hypocricy abounds.

  Is that where Harry Reid learned the art of bribery... from Republicans? I doubt it.

  We need to throw the whole stinking bunch out in Washington and start over.

  -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 11:24 AM

• riregrist,

  Thanks for the link. Good article. **** em all I say.

  -- Posted by Lumpy on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 11:49 AM

• The current health bill has turned into a fiasco but at least they are making an attempt to pay for most of it. The republican medicare plan was passed with absolutely no plan for funding it. The now famous "doughnut hole" is hurting a lot of seniors. It was set up please big Pharma not the citizens.

  -- Posted by riregrist on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 1:35 PM

• How can a country that is bankrupt and in debt fund anything?

  -- Posted by Lumpy on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 1:58 PM

• more taxes

  -- Posted by riregrist on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 2:15 PM

• The now famous "doughnut hole" is hurting a lot of seniors. It was set up please big Pharma not the citizens.

  -- Posted by riregrist on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 1:35 PM

  riregrist,

  The doughnut hole only exists if the insured is unwilling to fork out the extra cash to close it. There are plans available, but they cost more. Why do you seem to think a senior should put 50 cents into the plan and get 3 dollars worth of benefits back out?

  I am a senior and I only look upon this plan to bail me out in case of catastrophic illness, not every aspirin I buy.

  -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 2:18 PM

• Pretty much my thoughts on reading the article, Wheels ... If our government leaders ... of either or both parties ... aren't capable of financial responsibility over such a thing as Medicare Part D ... Why in the world would any sane person believe this health care bill won't be an even more gigantic, costly, misunderstood mess?

  ... rid the central government in Washington of all power and the states regain sovereignty. At the state level, voters have more influence. At the national level, they have little if none.

  -- Posted by James Nall on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 11:45 AM

  Can't do it ... Too many people afraid that states might be forced to be responsible to the majority of the people, and that with more citizen input there might be personal losses in 'government programs' which many individuals and special interest groups rely upon ... or are trapped in.

  riregrist: "... at least they are making an attempt to pay for most of it."

  Perhaps a more valid statement would be '... they are making an attempt to make US pay for the unnecessary scope of it.' And yes, it's turned into a 2,700+ page fiasco now, with special and often ridiculous concessions to a handful of states, and with provisions even for giving money to single mothers for education, diapers, baby furniture, etc.

  When a 'health bill' is presented that only targets/affects those who absolutely have no insurance because they honestly cannot afford it ... and only when it is reduced to 200 pages or less ... and only when no 'bribery' for special state perks are included ... and only when our lawmakers realize that mandating insurance is against our core beliefs of what powers over the people our federal government should have ... only then would I perhaps be willing to support it.

  -- Posted by gurusmom on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 2:26 PM

• riregrist,

  The real debt that the US owes couldn't be paid off even if 100% of every working citizen's income was stolen through taxation.

  Come and take it!

  2010 is when the **** hits the fan, and I ain't talking about a bunch of ******* Republicans winning the right to auction my property in November.

  -- Posted by Lumpy on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 2:31 PM

• mom,

  Here is how the health insurance boondoggle helps the uninsured - by ordering the IRS to track down the uninsured, and then fining them for being uninsured.

  But hey, at least they tried. I wonder if I can afford to send our reps in Washington a token, participation trophy?

  Actually, I am going to drop my health insurance and wait around for the IRS to find me. I fly pretty low under the radar; I figure that I can get away with it for at least 10 years. That will make me 47 years old, and $750 will be a bargain for health insurance at that age! Besides, I'm sure that some health problems will be showing up, so I can always go pay for some insurance, get a tune up, and drop it for another 5 years. Yeah, the five year tune up plan! Keep a low profile, pay a fine or two (tops), buy some new crap with all the money that this thing is saving me, and get a tune up every five years.

  In the words of Flounder, "this is gonna be great!".

  -- Posted by Lumpy on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 2:44 PM

• We learned during the first year of Part D ... that 'donut hole' is a bummer. We also learned that due to it, our premiums for Part D, plus the total of co-pays and the cost of prescriptions after reaching that level in September, cost more than just paying for the prescriptions all year would have been.

  After that first year, we quit using Part D for several less-expensive prescriptions ... since then, the cost of Part D premiums are only a little more than the cost of the drugs might have been, as we've avoided that gap in coverage.

  We keep the Part D, though ... just in case Pops prescription needs in the future go up. That actually is the intent of insurance, isn't it ... we're betting we may need it, the companies are betting we won't? Remember, too ... participation in Part D IS voluntary. It's a risk taken by both sides, just auto insurance is. Most of us probably spend more for the latter than we ever receive.

  Sometimes it seems that people accept the fact that businesses like Walmart and Penney's are indeed in business to make money ... but can't seem to wrap their heads around the fact that ... so are insurance companies.

  -- Posted by gurusmom on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 2:55 PM

• The essence of the article is correct although like so many, it is laced with personal or agenda driven prejudice. I tend to lean toward the ideals James has expressed here. Federal government is not the solution but the problem.

  Not long ago we did not have consensus that a health care crisis exists in this country. Now it seems to have become matter of fact in the same respect that global climate change is upon us. The rise in doctoring costs exist because too many people have had no incentive to see costs justified. May I relate my thoughts about health care reform to my thoughts about Bloomfield Road. It needs a couple places fixed and updated, not a whole new throw everything you got [or dont got]at it replacement.

  -- Posted by Old John on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 3:17 PM

• Spank, The long pause waiting for a response to your post is the sound of folks like me who know not what to say. We hope for the best. I must ask, did cost dictate the dr.'s opinion?

  -- Posted by Old John on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 4:29 PM

• Spank,

  I am headed out the door but would like to say, I am truly sorry to hear of your brother's health problems. Please give your Mother my best wishes as well. Will say some prayers for him.

  -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 4:42 PM

• SpankTheTank,

  My father in law went through something similar several years ago. I know you didn't post for sympathy, but I can sure empathize with what you and your family are dealing with. He wound up footing the bill for most of his stay and subsequent surgery which was significant.

  Yeah, they said his heart wouldn't take it either, but a little cash changed their mind and to their surprise he made it and bought him a little more time.

  My thoughts will be with you and your family.

  -- Posted by D'oh on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 4:57 PM

• D'Oh, That cash, may I ask how was it applied?

  -- Posted by Old John on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 5:25 PM

• Old John,

  I just had to laugh; if you had known my father in law you would know why; some things he talked about and some he didn't and money was mostly in the didn't category.

  -- Posted by D'oh on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 6:02 PM

• Have a good night everyone; kinda lost interest in politics.

  -- Posted by D'oh on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 6:23 PM

• D'oh, Nough said.

  -- Posted by Old John on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 6:24 PM

• Old John,

  He was one of those Rich Republicans you hear about; you know the kind that had everything handed too him; won life's lottery...

  He dropped out of school in the 8th grade to work in the fields, served in WWII and came home to work in a service station to save money to start a business. He started out with one truck working well into the night and on weekends while others were at the lake or golfing. After forty years he had accumulated enough to be comfortable then he got sick and died. Best friend I ever had; too bad he was a Republican as you know how bad they are.

  -- Posted by D'oh on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 6:39 PM

• D'oh,

  I cannot imagine you bring friends with a Republican. Heaven help us.

  -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 7:31 PM

• D'oh, Sounds like my father in law. Dumb guy left home at 15. I asked why. He said, "Well I wanted to make my own" He did! I am convinced he was blessed for he told me he was in his late twenty's before he could relate to the meaning of "tired". My father died when I was young and my father in law was testomony to what I learned from dad. Regardless of your personal short fallings, be honest in business. This served me well in mine for I have no regrets although I did lose a lot of money to those unlearned.

  -- Posted by Old John on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 7:35 PM

• Rick,

  It distracts from the current problem.

  Harry Reid, Nancey Puloooosie and Barrack Hussein Obama.

  -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 8:39 PM

• Rick, I failed to mention my father in law and my father were democrats. I'm an equal opportunity picker.

  -- Posted by Old John on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 8:44 PM

• Spank,

  Your bro' needs to go to a different hospital, medical group, and get a couple of 2nd opinions-quick!

  Prayers are sent in for him!

  -- Posted by John in Jackson on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 10:43 PM

• Spank, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  -- Posted by Turnip on Sat, Dec 26, 2009, at 10:57 PM

• lumpy, you're only 37? Gosh, you're almost a babe in arms! ~laughing~ Oddly enough ... you aren't the only person who has come up with that 'no insurance just pay the fine' plan ... people all over the country are commenting on that in various forums and blogs.

  So, on top of our overbloated IRS department, we'll have to add even more to that 10,000 new federal employees each month that we already hire? And of course we'll surely have to have a few various new departments to oversee this health-plan boondoggle.

  I used to wish America would come up with a 'health plan.' That was before I knew much of anything about government/politics. Was just, back then, an innocent who believed just about everything our government did or proposed to do was sensible and responsible and 'for the good' of the people. Sometimes I wish I were still so uninformed and trusting and ... um ... dumb about it all.

  Spank, I can't tell you how very sorry I am about your brother. I believe that his situation is pretty much what some will be faced with when we have this wonderful Federal Health Care. It will be like the HMO Pops and I used to have ... decisions will be made not necessarily by doctors or by need, but will be based upon cost versus ... I guess how valuable the patient might be to 'society.'

  If his heart doctor sees no problem, then that tells us something ... I agree with John in Jackson ... If there's any way at all, get him to St. Louis! Please!

  And remember (and think I can speak for everyone) ... if there's anything at all those of us here can do to help in any way ... all you need to do is ask!

  -- Posted by gurusmom on Sun, Dec 27, 2009, at 4:06 AM

• Spank,

  I'll donate to help your your brother. Just let me know.

  -- Posted by riregrist on Sun, Dec 27, 2009, at 8:33 AM

• Spank,

  While I use to "smoke, drink and dance the hoochie coo" when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I now don't get out much so can't contribute by going to a dance. If you set up some way to donate, please post it as I am sure many would be interested in contributing.

  Based on lots of experience, it always helps to consult with several different specialists as even they will vary in advice based on the same information.

  -- Posted by D'oh on Sun, Dec 27, 2009, at 1:45 PM

• Spank,

  If you are interested in a band, I am in a couple that likes to do benefits. A classic rock band, and a straight up rock band. I may be able to arrange for both of them to play a couple of sets each since they share the drummer.

  -- Posted by Lumpy on Sun, Dec 27, 2009, at 5:59 PM

• Spank, that's a good idea ... Please consider it seriously ... the dance and auction. Let us know if you decide to do it; perhaps there's some small way I could help, including donating some of the collectibles that have basically just been gathering dust for decades, or have been stored in the attic.

  Do keep us posted.

  Hope you can get your brother into Columbia. I think the doctors there would probably be more inclined to 'working together' than perhaps they are when they're in separate offices/clinics, etc. I recall a little dissension years ago between Pops' cardiologist and his pulmonologist there in Cape ...

  lumpy, that's super. Where could a person actually have something like this, that wouldn't charge an arm and a leg for the building rental? I know that in a couple of cities we lived in, there were organizations (VFW was one) who would donate, or rent their buildings for a nominal fee, for charity events.

  -- Posted by gurusmom on Sun, Dec 27, 2009, at 8:01 PM

• Unfortunately I am too tied up to reply in length like I want to, so I will sum it up in this:

  KISS MY GRITS

  -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Sun, Dec 27, 2009, at 8:41 PM

• In regards to the health care legislation, regardless of your position, it was all about politics. It was less about health care and more about expanding entitlements at the expense of taxpayers. Even reid said there was something in the bill for each senator; if not, it was their own fault. He didn't say there was something in the bill for "American citizens" and we have to pay for it. Yep, just politics. It is sad commentary when our elected representatives and people take the side of politics, over "we the people."

  -- Posted by jadip4me on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, at 10:13 AM

• like i've posted here many times in the past. vote all office holders out. regardless of political affiliation.

  -- Posted by riregrist on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, at 4:41 PM

• Now if only the average American citizen could be convinced ... No votes for incumbents. If that wouldn't send a huge message to the new office holders, I don't know what would.

  Great comment, jadip! You've probably hit the nail directly on the head there.

  -- Posted by gurusmom on Tue, Dec 29, 2009, at 2:34 PM