Exploding Cost of Drug Benefit Should Wake Up Conservatives

Detroit News ^ | 2/1/04 | n/a

[NittanyLion]

Just putting the facts out there. I guess you don't like facts. Of course by omitting the fact of the demos spending plan, makes for a good blood boiling editorial, which gives red meat for you all to chew on.

I understand there are many facts available about all sorts of plans, but those are outside the scope of this editorial. Editorials, by definition, choose a narrow topic and offer an opinion. We'd need a book to explore all potential avenues of action and compare and contrast them as you suggest.

This editorial is about the fact that, in three months, the cost estimate for this program has increased by 33%. Don't you think that's a legitimate concern, and an appropriate topic of discussion?

[Dane]

If you are so prescient, why didn't you predict 9/11 and save thousands of lives?

Actually why don't you ask the person you helped elect, Clinton. He's the one who dropped the ball on Al-Queda.

And now you want to help elect a politcal carbon copy, John Kerry.

[Dane]

I understand there are many facts available about all sorts of plans, but those are outside the scope of this editorial.

Then why hide them?

[Piquaboy]

I certainly am not a rocket scientist but knew this thing was a joke from day one as far what the cost would be.

[MEG33]

In your heart,you know I'm right.

It may be an ethical,principled,true conservative decision,but a Kerry for President could be the result.

That isn't ignorant.That is a fact.

[goldstategop]

And that's before even a cent is spent. Its funny how the next set of revised estimates is always higher than the one before. No one practices "switch and bait" in the real world with such alacrity precisely because its considered unethical. Washington is the only place in which something cheaper is considered to be less than what we might actually need.

[chris1]

The president is supposed to set the tone and set the agenda. He has the stage. He has totally abused this power in terms of taxpayer money and could very easily, and successfully, advocated for decreases in spending, less regulations, and a massive overhaul of a goverment industrial complex that has taken over everything. If W loses in Novemeber, he will have no one to blame but himself.

[Carry_Okie]

The fundamental issue is one of honesty. At least the Slave Party makes no bones about "socialized medicine at all costs." The RINOs LIE about the price in order to get conservative buy-in and then turn around to give their reluctant supporters the shaft, just like Schwarzenegger lied through his teeth on any number of issues in order to get elected. Now look at him, appointing a majority of Democrats to boards, renegging on a tax hike, making deals with the teachers' union...

[chris1]

The fact of the matter is that this abomination only pased because the President wanted it. If he came out against this whole disgrace, it would never have happened.

[NittanyLion]

Then why hide them?

I'm not hiding them, I'm suggesting that they're outside the scope of this editorial, and therefore your criticism is misplaced.

[MEG33]

It was a campaign promise.

[NittanyLion]

No one practices "switch and bait" in the real world with such alacrity precisely because its considered unethical. Washington is the only place in which something cheaper is considered to be less than what we might actually need.

I would be fired for deliberately misrepresenting the cost of a project at my business. Folks don't take kindly to being "BS'd" outside of DC.

[Batrachian]

If they where going to vote for this thing, why didn't they vote for $400 billion and not a penny more? They should have allocated that amount and if the program wound up costing more, then too bad. $400 billion is all the greedy old geezers where going to get. Instead, they wrote a blank check and $534 billion is the least this is going to cost. It will be $1 trillion at the end of ten years, I'll bet.

Pandering, greed, and socialism. This is like a suicide bomber on the bus of our economy. Thank you, Mr. President.

[WhiteGuy]

Good topic,

I have a question, perhaps some of you might wish to help me.

This $400 Billion or $534 Billion on the "Medicare drug benefit".........

Is this all NEW spending, paying for prescriptions to the tune of $400 billion?

Any direction will be appreciated.

[jimkress]

And now you want to help elect a politcal carbon copy, John Kerry.

Ah, yet another Nostradamus.

Once again you fail to read what I wrote. Save America from the tyranny of Republican/Democrat hegemony. Support the Constitution Party.

Last I heard, Kerry was a democrat, not a member of the Constitution Party. I support the Constitution Party.

If you're so prescient, why don't you join the War on Terror and lead the government to Osama?

[chris1]

So I guess that makes it ok right????? Just tell me what you have gotten in return for your RNC contributions? I gave some last year, but NEVER again.

[Dane]

I'm not hiding them, I'm suggesting that they're outside the scope of this editorial, and therefore your criticism is misplaced.

Paging George Orwell, I guess now bringing out a fact germaine to the argument is now criticism.

[TomGuy]

This editorial is about the fact that, in three months, the cost estimate for this program has increased by 33%.

Yes, and the main aspects of the Prescription Bill don't even start until 2007. By then, that 33% will be much, much more.

[Dane]

Last I heard, Kerry was a democrat, not a member of the Constitution Party. I support the Constitution Party

And they have won what? Have they ever one electoral vote? The answer is no, but I thought you wouldn't be so ignorant of the electoral college, with your chest thumping about what a Constituttionalist you are.

[Consort]

More voters want big government and big spending government, as the last general election popular vote proved. That puts you in a losing minority. So you can vote for a Tax and Spender or a Tax Cutter and Spender this November. If big government makes you unhappy, then you are going to be unhappy for as long as you live.