Rush Calls Bush Like Nixon. Republicans cannot claim to be for small government.

Rush Live broadcast ^ | 11/25/03 | rushy

[Mark Felton]

Rush has spent the last several minutes likening Bush to Nixon. Nixon gave us OSHA and the EPA. Bush is giving us Prescription Medicine benefits for seniors.

Rush says the Republican party cannot claim to be the party of smaller government.

This sounds likme the OLD Rush of 10 years ago!

Go Get Em Rush!

[Stew Padasso]

Your list is missing the huge spending increases. How convenient.

[Southack]

"I'm going with 1 trillion to be near the low end. Look at the original cost estimates of other entitlements SSI and Medicare at their inception."

1 Trillion isn't in this bill.

This Medicare reform bill authorizes precisely $39.5 Billion per year for each of ten years. Barring no additional legislation, this program runs out in ten years (which coincides nicely with the Privatization provision that it contains).

So if you want to argue facts in this bill, your numbers are limited to $39.5 Billion per year.

Anything else is idle speculation.

And if you can't make your case based upon the numbers in this bill, then you probably don't have a very strong case to make in the first place.

[NittanyLion]

Look at the original cost estimates of other entitlements SSI and Medicare at their inception.

We're not allowed to reference what has actually happened when similar bills were enacted. Instead, Southack is going to speculate wildly over privatization - which is contrary to 75 years of entitlement program history - while telling US we're out of line.

Amazing...

[gimmealewinsky]

39.5 blah blah, additional legilsation, blah blah.
Then after that ten years, all the boomers are dining at the trough of free drugs. Provided by threat of force by the younger people struggling to get started in life. You then think the program will what? Be reauthorized with another 400 billion? That's it? No growth necessary or needed? You can argue the " facts at hand" all you want, I happen to know what the original great society estimates where and it ain't pretty.

[Stew Padasso]

Are there any more spending programs that the left are clamoring for that we should be aware of?

[Southack]

"Well, let me see. I have to limit my case to only the numbers in the bill, yet you get to speculate about privatization that may or may not come to pass? I read you loud and clear. LOL."

The Medicare reform Privatization provisions *are* in this bill. So too is funding authorized at $39.5 Billion per year for ten years.

That's what I stated earlier, and that's what's in this bill.

On the other hand, you keep coming up with wild-eyed "Trillion" Dollar numbers that are *NOT* in this bill.

If you can't make your case based upon the numbers in this actual bill, then you probably don't have a very good argument.

[NittanyLion]

Ignorance is bliss, apparently.

[Southack]

"We're not allowed to reference what has actually happened when similar bills were enacted. Instead, Southack is going to speculate wildly over privatization..."

That's completely unfair. The Privatization provisions are *NOT* speculation, they are physically in this Medicare bill.

On the other hand, your "Trillion" Dollar figure is *NOT* in this Medicare bill.

Ergo it is you who is speculating, not me.

[NittanyLion]

If you can't make your case based upon the numbers in this actual bill, then you probably don't have a very good argument.

I've got 75 years of history on my side. You, OTOH, have seized upon one tiny portion of the bill and are determined to ride it to the exclusion of the rest.

Talk about denial.

[Southack]

"Ignorance is bliss, apparently."

Is your argument so weak that you have to resort to attacking me rather than defending your own points?

[NittanyLion]

I apologize for that - it was out of line and a momentary lapse in judgment. I thought better of it the moment I hit the post button. Feel free to have it pulled if you want.

[Southack]

"I've got 75 years of history on my side. You, OTOH, have seized upon one tiny portion of the bill and are determined to ride it to the exclusion of the rest."

No, you don't. There is no 75 years of history that supports Private programs always expanding.

This Medicare reform bill puts in motion a ten year Privatization option. It authorizes $39.5 Billion Dollars per year.

Those are the facts. Please argue the facts.

[Southack]

No problem. I've done that self-same thing in the past, too.

[NittanyLion]

There is no 75 years of history that supports Private programs always expanding.

This is a government program, that you are arguing will transition to a private program. I'm simply not going to accept your conjecture, based on the historical evidence. You're claiming with certainty that this program will do the exact opposite of all its predecessors.

Was Social Security originally this size?

[pageonetoo]

"Your list is missing the huge spending increases. How convenient."

Does it really make any difference? Our 'dollar' isn't really worth very much, and they will gladly print some more. That is how the g'umt pays for things. It expands the 'money supply'. To them, it doesn't seem to matter that the 'dollars' are worthless, just that there are lots of them!
As for entitlements, they are going to be the probable demise of our g'umt. It simply cannot pay its promises.
Instead, we are supposed to accept our little bones, and take them to the cupboard, to save against the day, when it all falls apart!
Personal/family responsiblity? What's that?

[NittanyLion]

Gotta run...feel free to have the last word.

I know we're both looking for the same end, even if we differ on how to get there. Thanks for the "lively" discussion...

[Southack]

"This is a government program, that you are arguing will transition to a private program. I'm simply not going to accept your conjecture, based on the historical evidence. You're claiming with certainty that this program will do the exact opposite of all its predecessors."

It isn't my "conjecture." That's what is written into this Medicare bill.

Please, argue what is written in this bill.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...in the case of virtually every other entitlement program ever enacted, history is on my side."

Apparently--the extra $400 Billion notwithstanding--we're witnessing the End of History, and the Federal Leviathan will continue to shrink from here on out!! Ooops...I just heard on NBC that the privatization portion of the bill doesn't kick in until 2010...never mind!!

SHEEEESH...MUD

[gimmealewinsky]

yep, then a scant three years later the original authorization @39.5 Bill a year also runs out. Whaddya think? the program will just go away and seniors can go back to insurers, employers etc and say o.k. now I need you to pony up? Of course not, this new unfunded entitlement will be rewritten and reauthorized and by then... Lord only knows the burden it'll be by then.

[Mudboy Slim]

<i>"Do you believe that the individuals of this country are responsible for paying for prescription medicine of others?"</i>

<b>"In theory, no, I believe we are all responsible for our own medical care."</b>

Thank you fer yer honesty, Miss Marple...it's refreshing to know that you are making this argument on terms of political expediency and not principle, because I fail to see where this legislation holds up under any principled scrutiny.

FReegards...MUD

BTW...I agree with jla's admiration of "your intelligent, calm & ladylike demeanor here."