Posted on 03/25/2006 5:07:36 PM PST by okiecon
Rep. Marion Berry: Good morning. I'm Congressman Marion Berry of Arkansas, a senior citizen, a pharmacist, and someone who has spent the past five years trying to give the American people an acceptable Medicare prescription drug benefit. I have fought alongside my Democratic colleagues to put seniors first and I have watched with complete amazement as the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress forced a disastrous prescription drug scheme on America's greatest generation.
(Excerpt) Read more at marketwatch.com ...
This Berry-man sounded like he'd been imbibing.....wwwwwhhhhhhhhooooooo
I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, when I saw the words "Marion Berry" and "pharmacist" in the same sentence, I was waiting for the inevitable "The b*%+c# set me up!" LOL
I think this charge is gonna stick partly.. The administration will wind up with a huge expenditure (both credibility and money) and very little political gain to show for it..
You mean president Bush introduced and passed this legislation all by himself and the Desm didnt have anything to do with it? Gee thats strange since they seem to be able to stonewall anything else that goes thru, I guess Mr. Bush is stronger than I thought.
The Dems were for it before they were against it.
The problem is once you introduce part of an entitlement, people will complain cause they're not getting the whole thing. The Republicans should have seen this coming a mile away. Clinton is the one who sprung this trap, but it was Bush who took the bait. Now the Republicans are going to have to take the consequences.
Watch the Dems--they will critize the program on the basis that it costs too much and doesn't deliver enough. So, naturally, they will propose expanding it and claim to have a plan so that it will all cost less. How is this possible? Because all the $$ is going to the evil Drug companies--of course. Unfortunately, many people, especially seniors, will believe them.
Actually the worst damage might come from the MSM telling everybody only the bad news, just like Iraq. I can see seniors being upset over the complex task it was to choose one of the "private" plans instead of having a single, government agency doling out the drugs. BUT, I immediately signed my mother up for this (it was a little complex, even on-line), and "sorry about the US budget" but the savings for her are huge (her total costs will be about $800+ vs. the normal $2000, and every pharmacy around handles her plan. It's like jumpin' in the swimming pool. Once you're submerged the water is warm.
It was a disaster to have been written in the first place. More socialism.
The Medicare Part D drug benefit is criminally irresponsible, never should have been passed (in any form), and any Congress worthy to hold office would repeal it immediately.
If Bush ever imagined that he was going to get credit for this disaster, he is as stupid as his enemies think.
"If Bush ever imagined that he was going to get credit for this disaster, he is as stupid as his enemies think."
I think he did out of the goodness of his heart - wanting to help senior but wanting to privatize.
Either you don't understand this plan, or you don't understand socialism.
Medicare Part D gives those over 65 access to private plans. Period.
Medicare Parts A&B are socialism - you take what the gov't gives you. Part D sends you to the private sector to choose the best plan for your individual circumstances.
"the savings for her are huge (her total costs will be about $800+ vs. the normal $2000, and every pharmacy around handles her plan."
My analysis was entirely political... my Father is also happy about it because he can do the math.
After stealing the money to pay for it from other people's children.
So, the GOVERNMENT, at the expense of the taxpayers, is ALLOWING me access to private plans? I already have access to a "private plan."
BTW, I majored in Business, and minored in Economics in college.
Ever heard of Adam Smith?
http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Biographies/Philosophy/Smith.htm
No charge for the Economics lesson.
People enrolled in private plans with better benefits don't have to enroll. A specific example is retired military who can enroll in a medicare wrap around that has better drug benefits.
Since it was the AARP who strongly backed and continue to support this subscription drug plan, why don't the DemonRats say, "The greatest generation is a bunch of fools"?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.