I think a lot of people have mixed feelings over this bill. I don't like new government programs but I also wonder what affect this will have on drug costs across the board? That could have a net good impact so I'll have to wait and see on that.
At the same time, I realize a senior prescription drug bill was going to happen sooner or later anyway. I have no doubt that this one will be easier to take then the alternative...and as you say, this is driving the dems crazy.
Do you fully understand the consequences of this? Seniors who currently have coverage may very likely end up with worse coverage than they currently enjoy. Profit margins of pharma companies will be negatively impacted, and as a result less money will be available to reinvest in R&D. Major long-term damage to pharmaceutical innovation will be the legacy of this bill. (Not to mention more income redistribution)
And will this help the GOP? The Democrats will continue to promise seniors more benefits should they be elected - they'll always outspend the GOP. It's not a foregone conclusion that this will gain any votes for the GOP.
I'm astonished that folks like yourself can be "happy" over this bill. At what point does real-world impact outweigh potential short-term political benefit? Who cares if the folks at DU are unhappy - they're too stupid to understand the import of this bill anyway, and are merely upset that "their side" lost. For the same reason you're happy that "your side" won. But this isn't a game, you know.