Posted on 02/25/2004 8:58:14 AM PST by ancient_geezer
ED HOWELL
The Daily Mountain Eagle
Published February 23, 2004 10:32 PM CST
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said Monday he supported the Medicare bill which passed late last year, saying he particularly supported discount purchasing of prescriptions.
"I voted for the bill. We know it's not perfect," he said during a town meeting in Jasper Monday morning. "Will it solve everything? No."
However, Shelby, who is running this year for re-election, told the friendly crowd he was in favor of the prescription provision of the controversial bill. He noted the case of one man who is paying $900 a month in drugs to stay alive.
"If we can buy in bulk, it would help a lot of seniors," Shelby said. "People are paying too much for drugs.
"I'm not a price fixer, but what we need is more competition. If you only had one grocery store in Walker County, you'd charge what you want to. People have got to eat," Shelby said. "People are paying too much to stay alive."
On another health-related issue, Shelby, who does not smoke, said he would not favor outlawing cigarettes because it would only create a black market for the product.
Shelby said the taxes for cigarettes have risen to new heights, but did not come out against the increases. He said he did not understand why millions of Americans still smoked in light of health problems caused by cigarettes.
In other issues:
* Shelby is concerned about the growing national deficit, which he said resulted from security problems and tax cuts, although he said without the tax cuts, the economy would have worsened. He said the United States cannot sustain the deficits or the current trade imbalance with countries like China and Japan. "It's the twin pillar for disaster. "We know you can't live off a credit card," he said. Shelby said the economy has picked up tremendously since 2001, and that several Alabama counties are at levels considered to be at full employment.
* Shelby said events in Iraq are going better than what is shown on television, although he noted American troops are being challenged on the ground. He said the United States needs to avert a civil war between three rival factions. He was surprised Saddam Hussein would not fight, and said the next goal should be getting Osama Bin Laden, who he said is somewhere between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
* Shelby weighed in on the growing national debate about gay marriage. "I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman," he said to applause. "I respect every individual but I don't always agree with them. That will be a big policy debate. I think most of the country doesn't hold the same views as San Francisco or Massachusetts."
* Shelby heard from Jasper Mayor Don Goetz said that a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for sewer work was being held up, even though it was awarded in 2001. "It's still sitting on someone's desk in Atlanta," Goetz said. "It's in the bureaucracy," Shelby replied. "We're going to try to move that person or that desk."
* Shelby defended his bill to protect the acknowledgement of God in government from being struck down by federal judges, which would include the Ten Commandments and nativity scenes. Shelby said he was not trying to start a religion and pointed out instances where the oath of office for president and those taking oaths in Congress involve the words, "So help me God," and that the Congress opens with prayer. He said the Constitution allows the Supreme Court to have jurisdiction "with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make." Shelby said to applause, "I think it is clear we can limit the jurisdiction of the courts. I feel good about what I am doing."
* Shelby said he was in favor of a national sales tax, as long as the national income tax was also abolished. He said no income tax existed until 1913, when supporters said they would only tax the top 1 percent. However, he said tax brackets eventually got as high as 90 percent, which he said prompted former President Ronald Reagan to leave the Democratic Party. "If we didn't have an income tax and had a national sales tax, we could be a nation of savers," Shelby said. His preference for a sales tax is even greater than the flat tax he has promoted for years, although he said the bracket would be no greater than 19 percent. If Americans could pass referendums like they do constitutional amendments in Alabama, Shelby said voters would probably adopt either the sales tax or the flat tax.
* Shelby opposed taxing Social Security benefits. "I broke with the Democratic Party over that issue," he said. "If we don't tax Social Security, elderly people would have more money to pay for prescriptions or heat."
* Shelby was critical of the lack of cooperation between the FBI and the CIA in sharing intelligence, adding there have been cases where they have covered up items they have found. He said there was one instance where one suspect was held on an immigration charge, but the FBI denied a search warrant, even after French officials said he was a terrorist. Shelby also said the United States also didn't have enough trained agents on the ground in Iraq before the war, adding a presidential commission and congressional hearings will look into the matter.
* "We have about 10 million illegal aliens in this country. If you have 10 million people, you know our borders are porous," Shelby said. "I don't believe you should give blanket amnesty to 10 million aliens."
* Shelby noted prisoners are not being reformed when they come out of prison, and usually become worse criminals. He said there is a big connection between lack of education and prisoners.
* "The government should be realistic on trade agreements," he said. "Otherwise we ship off wealth and jobs. We cannot outsource everything."
* Shelby said President Bush made a recess appointment of Bill Pryor to a federal judge position because Senate Democrats have been filibustering judicial candidates, which requires more votes to proceed. "The Democrats are trying to change the rules of the Senate," Shelby said. "I've never filibustered a judge.
His preference for a sales tax is even greater than the flat tax he has promoted for years,
If Americans could pass referendums like they do constitutional amendments in Alabama, Shelby said voters would probably adopt either the sales tax or the flat tax.
They all come around sooner or later :O)
If you would like to be added to this ping list let me know.
John Linder in the House & Saxby Chambliss Senate, offer comprehensive bills to kill all income and payroll taxes outright, and provide a IRS free replacement in the form of a pure consumption tax:
H.R.25, S.1493
A bill to promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national retail sales tax to be administered primarily by the States.
So that Sam Johnson's proposed amendment to the constitution to prohibit all income taxes as HR25 calls for has a chance at enactment & ratification:
Sorry bout that. Alabama. see I really can get it right if I slow down.
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