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On July 30, 1965 LBJ signed Medicare into law. Almost thirty-five years later Bill Clinton decided to use it as a political football, closing his eyes to a real bi-partisan program put forth by both Democrats and Republicans to save Medicare without raising premiums.
After thanking everyone in the White House audience, Clinton bit his lip and continued on with what would become one of those Democrat APPLAUSE SIGN love-fests. This pseudo announcement turned into a phoney baloney state of the union type speech, but without the multiple standing ovations.
The President began, declaring, " our plan to secure and modernize Medicare into the next century ". He promised everything imaginable, but offered no details, other than " the plan is sensible and credible " and mostly paid for by the " budget surplus ". He made sure he hit mantras like " Kosovo ", and the incredible soon to be group Democrat Mediscare Mantra of " No senior must chose between buying food and buying medicine ".
Senator Rick Santorum ( R ) had some extended remarks on CNN. " You'll see bi-partisan support for some form of prescription plan...I don't think you are going to see Republicans lining up behind a program that dramatically increases premiums ", he began. He then clarified, " We put forward a bi-partisan plan...the President rejected that ". He had this problem with what Clinton proposed, " The President's proposal; if you are H. Ross Perot, you get free prescription drugs ". On the President's speech in particular, he pointed out that there were, " not a lot of details on how to pay for this "!
Senator Trent Lott ( R ), Senate majority leader, asked, " Who pays for this "?
Senator Phil Gramm ( R ) said, " It is a political ploy ".
Ken Hamblin. radio talk show host, opined, " The Democrats are masters at figuring out these little hand-outs ".
" You can cook the books any way you want...this has no chance of passing ", said Larry Klayman of Judicial Watch.
Hey man. all the Democrats really did, was to officially announce, their own, self-created, main, year 2000 election issue!
- Bongo ( Pass the aspirin? )
