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************************************ New Drug Benefit Should Congress pass the compromise plan to add a new prescription drug benefit to Medicare? Cast your ballot today by clicking on the "Survey Says!" button at www.citizenoutreach.com. ********************************** When Harry Married Gary Folks, as Felix Unger famously taught us back in the 70s, never *assume.* I have NOT said I support gay "marriage." I did say that in quickly reading through the Massachusetts opinion that some valid and legitimate points were raised which deserve consideration. And I specifically wrote in yesterday's News & Views, "I might change my mind after giving (the decision) more thorough scrutiny." I'm in the process of doing just that and will comment on the decision further in the days and weeks to come. That being said, I continue to reject the hysterics of some that civilization as we know it is going to come crashing down around us if two gay guys get a "marriage" license. It makes great rhetoric for all the fundraising letters which are, at this very minute, on their way to a lot of your mailboxes, but I don't buy it. On the other hand, I am not yet persuaded that gay couples have a "right" to "marry," although a credible equal protection argument exists regarding some of the benefits denied gay couples. I do find it thoroughly inconsistent, however, to argue that one state shouldn't be forced to recognize a "gay marriage" from another state, but that through a constitutional amendment every state SHOULD be forced to DENY "gay marriages," even if a certain state's citizens so desire. I thought as conservatives we FAVORED states rights over federal dictates. Anyway, the Massachusetts opinion is long and couched in a lot of legalese. It is NOT easy to digest in one or two readings. I'm going through it line by line and am not jumping to any conclusions. You shouldn't either. For those of you who actually took time to read the decision and referred to it in your objections you emailed to me...thank you! I will weigh them considerably in my in-depth analysis, which I hope to share in the next few days. Your comments are VERY helpful and appreciated. For those who did NOT read the opinion and still quoted me Leviticus despite my request, I can only remind you that we do NOT live in a theocracy. In the meantime, we conservatives have a much more urgent issue before us to consider... ************************************** Gimme Drugs A lot of us don't think the federal government should be involved in health insurance...period. Medicare is a liberal Great Society program which FAR exceeded the notion of limited government as envisioned by the Founders. And perhaps it should be scrapped altogether. That's a great academic argument. The reality, however, is that Medicare is here and it ain't going away any time soon. Now, the question of prescription drugs is upon us. If we're going to have Medicare, it doesn't make sense that the program will pay for kidney dialysis but won't cover the cost of less-expensive modern drugs which could prevent the need for the kidney dialysis in the first place. If the miracles of today's prescription drugs had been available in 1965, it is inconceivable that a drug benefit wouldn't have been included in the program. It is, therefore, inevitable that such a benefit is, sooner or later, going to be added to the program. The question is how and when? The current House/Senate compromise bill is FAR from perfect. It is NOT what you or I would want if we had CONSERVATIVE (not just Republican), veto-proof majorities in both houses of Congress. We do not. That's another cold reality. This compromise bill, for all its faults, is about the best we could possibly get under the circumstances. The question then becomes, is it good enough for conservatives to vote for...or bad enough to reject? I gotta tell ya, there are a lot of good conservatives who simply say to kill this turkey. But there are also a number of equally good conservatives who say this bill moves the ball downfield in the direction we want it to go; that it's a good first step and the best we can do right now under the current make-up of Congress. Both sides make compelling and persuasive points...which place me firmly on the fence. A couple days ago, I was opposed to the bill. However, after interviewing Mike Collins on this issue Tuesday evening on "Always Right" and hearing an extremely persuasive argument by Newt Gingrich at a private briefing Wednesday morning, I've moved to an official neutral position. At the very least, I sure wouldn't tar-and-feather any conservative who votes for this bill. And I gotta tell you, seeing Teddy Kennedy and the AFL-CIO come unglued over this is definitely a point in the bill's favor. In an ideal world this would be a black and white issue. But again, we're not in an ideal world. Fortunately, no one has to vote TODAY. But the vote is coming up quickly. You should weigh ALL the arguments you read on this piece of legislation. And when you come to your own conclusion, let your representatives know how you feel. Public support or opposition from home could make a crucial difference in how some Members vote on this in the coming days. To find the contact information for your House member, go to: http://www.house.gov/writerep/ To find your senators, go to: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm *************************************** This Week on Always Right A House/Senate negotiators released a Medicare reform compromise bill this week which includes a new prescription drug benefit for seniors. Conservatives are leery. But Sen. Ted Kennedy and John Sweeney of the AFL-CIO are howling mad. So what should you and I make of this piece of legislation? Is it good or bad policy? Is it good or bad politics? We discussed the good, the bad and the ugly this week on Always Right with our guest Mike Collins, former press secretary for the Republican National Committee and public policy guru. For the re-broadcast schedule, please click on the "Always Right Interviews" button at www.citizenoutreach.com ********************************** Prez Says. "Finish the job." - President George W. Bush urging Congress to pass the Medicare reform bill ********************************** Back Into the Minority "Every conservative member of Congress should vote for this Medicare Bill. It is the most important reorganization of our nation's healthcare system since the original Medicare Bill of 1965 and the largest and most positive change in direction for the health system in 60 years for people over 65. . . . Obstructionist conservatives can always find reasons to vote no, but that path leads right back into the minority and it would be a minority status they would deserve." - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich ********************************** Medicare Ghetto "As Congress finalizes plans to expand Medicare, more and more seniors are beginning to understand that 'free' prescription drugs from the government will carry a very high price tag. The tragedy is that our society is allowing the pharmaceutical industry, phony senior lobbies, and vote-hungry politicians to force millions of older Americans into a government-run Medicare ghetto." - Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) ********************************** Last Chance for Reform "The electoral risk of failing to pass a prescription-drug law applies to both parties. According to a USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll conducted over the weekend, 80 percent of Americans responded that they would be upset if Congress doesn't pass a prescription-drug benefit this year. Republicans would be blamed by a two-to-one margin. For conservatives, the stakes are even higher: This prescription-drug bill could offer the last chance to begin important market-based Medicare reform." - Washington Times editorial, 11/19/03 ********************************** Opening the Floodgates "The Medicare conference agreement fails the two critical requirements of a responsible drug benefit program for the nation's seniors. The original idea underlying this legislation was never just about adding drug coverage to Medicare. It was about doing so in a way that would not lead to huge additional liabilities for future generations, and in a way that would reform the program so that it could respond to the changing needs of the elderly and disabled. But the agreement will not lead to that. Instead it guts critical reforms, relegating them to a 'demonstration project' that is doomed to failure. And it opens the floodgates to new entitlement spending that will mean huge taxes on future workers." - Stuart Butler & Robert Moffit of the Heritage Foundation ********************************** 800-Pound Gorilla Sides with GOP "AARP, the largest and most influential organization of older Americans, said today that it would strongly support a Republican plan to provide prescription drug benefits under Medicare. The endorsement, long coveted by Republican leaders in Congress, adds momentum to the drive for passage of the legislation this year, despite objections from many Democrats. . . . AARP's endorsement provides a seal of approval from a highly respected organization with 35 million members for a bill written over the last four years by Republicans, with help from a few Democrats." - New York Times, 11/17/03 *********************************** Libertarian Think Tank Votes "No" "The Medicare prescription drug bill to be voted on by Congress this week is a terrible mistake that will dearly cost our children and grandchildren. This is not a Medicare reform bill. This is barely a prescription drug bill. This is a bill for politicians and special interests buying favor with the AARP." - Michael Tanner, Director of Health and Welfare Studies at the Cato Institute ********************************** Conservative Seniors Group Votes "Yes" "Jim Martin, President of the 60 Plus Association, a network of 4.5 million seniors, strongly endorsed the Conference Committee Report on HR 1, to strengthen Medicare by adding a prescription drug benefit. Martin said that passage of the prescription drug bill was the highest priority of the 60 Plus Association." - Sixty Plus Association news release, 11/19/03 ********************************** ACU Double Weights Drug Bill "ACU's annual Rating of Congress is widely regarded as the 'gold standard' of conservative measurements of the House and Senate. The proposed Medicare drug benefit marks the biggest expansion of the Great Society since Lyndon Johnson was president and is a bad bill for the health or senior Americans. Therefore, ACU will double the weight of the vote on the conference report. ACU will score a vote against passage of the conference report as the conservative vote." - American Conservative Union news release, 11/18/03 *********************************** RNC Officially Backs HR 1 "The bipartisan Medicare agreement is good news for some 40 million seniors and disabled persons on Medicare who for the first time in history will get help with the cost of medicine. Beginning next year, all beneficiaries would save 10-25% off the cost of most medicines through a Medicare-approved drug discount card. Starting in 2006, those who lack coverage will be able to cut their drug bills roughly in half for a $35 monthly premium. Low-income seniors would receive additional help." - Republican National Committee website *************************************** The Goldwater Doctrine "I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution, or that have failed in their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is 'needed' before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents' interests, I shall reply that I was informed their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am doing the very best I can." - Barry Goldwater, "The Conscience of a Conservative" *************************************** How to Subscribe Chuck Muth's News & Views is published by Citizen Outreach, a member-supported 501(c)3 non-profit corp. If you enjoy News & Views, please make a tax-deductible contribution to support our work: http://www.citizenoutreach.com If you'd like to receive our FREE News & Views e-newsletter, you can sign up at: http://www.chuckmuth.com/newsletter/ Published by Citizen Outreach Chuck Muth Editor/Publisher 611 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, #439 Washington, DC 20003-4303 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The opinions and views expressed in Chuck Muth's News & Views reflect those of the writers, editors and columnists therein and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Citizen Outreach, its officers, directors or employees. To be REMOVED, go to: http://www.chuckmuth.com/remove/default.cfm and complete the removal request instructions you'll find there. Or send your request to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # #
