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Subj: Drug Industry Welfare Bill

I feel your outrage and pain over the passage of the Drug Industry Welfare Bill today.

Please, use this label to describe it in the future. It is shorter than your title, it will resonate with the masses, and it mimics what the right wing neo-cons do (Death Tax for Estate Tax, Partial Birth Abortion for 3rd Trimester Abortion, etc.).

If we can use this term enough, it will stick.

Give it a chance.

Thanks.

Daniel

Subj: Suggested Honor for Tom Daschle

Dear Buzz,

Now that the hollowing-out of Medicare has passed the Senate, and done so with enough opposition votes that could have sustained a filibuster, I would like to nominate Tom Daschle for honorary membership in the Republican Party (maybe if he accepts it, we can get a new minority leader).

Jon Krampner

Subj: Rascal Daschle

Goodness knows, the Rascal Daschle is so facile -- he must have been bought. 

Tess

Subj: What the hell?

"We have no doubt that Sen. Daschle and others in his party who oppose the president's policy of pre-emptive self-defense believe that their national security approach is in the best interests of the country," RNC spokeswoman Christine Iverson said. "But we also have no doubt that they are wrong about that, and we will continue to highlight this critical policy difference as well as others."

There is no such thing as pre-emptive self-defense. In order for self-defense to be used as a motive then there must be something to defend against. There must be an attack. What Bush has is uncontrollable paranoia.

It is exactly the same as me deciding because my neighbor buys a gun he plans to shoot me or someone else, so I just go over and kill him. There must be an offense to have a defense.

I would really like to see the scripture that backs this up. "Slap them before they strike the first cheek."

I can't believe a Christian anywhere would be in favor of striking first. You don't need a strong defense for that, you need to be incredibly offensive.

Someone needs to strike Christine Iverson before she and George Bush provoke the child of every Middle Easterner to wrath.

Don't come and get me, get Christine and Dubya first.

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

Buzz,

That's it for me. From now on when I receive mailings from the DNC or DSCC I am going to send back the enclosed envelope with a note calling for the removal of Tom Daschle as leader.

I have not yet decided what to do with mailings from the DCCC, the Minnesota DFL, etc.

I hope we will see a grassroots revolt within the party.

It is often said that the Republicans are united while the Democrats are divided, but this probably is nonsense. James Jeffords didn't quit the Republican Party because he felt "united". Our problem as Democrats is not lack of unity but lack of guidance.

Barry.Schwartz@acm.org
http://www.winternet.com/~trashman/Bush_or_Pooch.html

Subj: Ugly American

Dear Buzz,

Queen Elizabeth invited George and Laura to her home in Buckingham Palace. He accepted. He went

In the night they landed in her gardens in a big hawk helicopter with two extras to make sure no one took a potshot at him. The planes tore up the gardens destroying a rare collection of trees, shrubs and roses dating back to Queen Victoria. The beautiful lawns are destroyed, The Queens gardener cried, Queen Elizabeth is livid. Oh yes, the Bushes brought with them five chefs. The Queen's fare is good enough for the Queen and her other guests. For Bush? No. 

Bush left the most expensive bill for security ever for a visiting guest. The Bush gang tried to make the UK offer immunity should one of our secret guards shoot an over anxious protester. Good for them, they refused. He was the first president to receive this invitation in "How Many Years?"

Someone should tell Barbara she forgot to teach her son good manners. OUR UGLY AMERICAN

Jean a BuzzFlash admirer

Subj: Thanks a heap, GOP

Starting in 2006, a Medicare patient will pay $35 in monthly premiums for a subsidy of 75% on the first $2,250 in prescription drug costs. Sounds pretty good, huh? Well, I did some math.

First, you have to understand that there is a $250 deductible. And that $35 monthly premium equals $420 a year just to be in the plan. Also, after the initial $2,250 in costs, along comes the "donut,'' or hole, in Medicare coverage until a beneficiary has spent $3,600 in out-of-pocket drug expenses. At that point Medicare kicks back in to pay 95 percent of future drug bills.

Now, once we remove the $250 deductible, we realize that Medicare is only paying 75% of $2000 worth of the first $2,250 in costs. The patient's share of that $2,000 is $500. Add in the deductible of $250, and the patient is already out $750 on the first $2,250 in medicine costs not counting the premium.

Participant must pay $2,850 more alone before Medicare kicks back in, since the donut kicks in again only when the patient has paid out-of-pocket $3,600 in drug costs ($3,600 - $750 = $2,850). So total meds must reach $5,100 ($2,250 + $2,850 = $5,100) before the donut is passed and the 95%/5% payment plan kicks in.

Total paid by patient before 95% kicks in = $4,020. Here is how I got that number.

To this point, the total meds cost is $5,100. The patient has paid $420 in premiums + $750 on the first $2,500 in meds + $2,850 for the donut for a grand total of $4,020 out of pocket for $5,100 in meds.

$5,100 - $4,020 = $1,080 actual cost to government in payments out.

The average senior citizen lives on $570 a month, or $6,840 a year. Subtract from that the $4,020 that this plan could potentially cost a senior who's medicine costs reach $5,100 per year and the poor soul is left with only $2,820 for the YEAR.

Luckily, for most seniors, the average annual drug cost is only around $1,262. This means that on average, the government will only have to pay on claims made before the donut. So subtracting the $250 deductible, we see that the government is paying in the average case, 75% of $1,012 or $759; and since they are receiving premiums from that patient of $460 per year, they are actually paying only $299, which means that the average patient is going to pay $963 of his $1,262 in drug costs; 14.08% of his or her annual income.

Thank you, GOP!

Oh, yeah, and some democrat traitors too. Thanks a heap.

Joe Humbleo

Subj: A filibuster would have blocked the bill

Dear Buzz,

Considering the final 54-44 vote in the Senate passing the Gingrich Medicare $cam, a filibuster could have easily blocked the bill. By Daschle refusing to support a filibuster and then voting against the bill, he in essence voted for the bill but without the political ramifications for him. How convenient....for Daschle!

We must remove Daschle.

Nancy Lynn Nagy (TN)

Subj: Limbaugh supports terrorism

Less then 2 years ago, the airways were flooded with stories related to illegal drug usage. If you bought a joint, that money went to support terrorists. If that's the case, what has Rush Limbaugh been supporting the past 5 years in Southern Florida where all those flight schools are located? I know, two types of legal systems, the poor and the wealthy.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Medicare

I believe this bill is the classic case of be careful what you wish for, because the more people find out what's in it and how it works, the more they are going to realize they've been snookered, yet again, by Bush.

I'm not counting on the voters to hold him or the republicans responsible for it, but I believe that when the boomers start to retire, they will in turn retire this abomination and either go back to the way it is now or start over from scratch. Which is fine, because I'm about 15 years behind the first wave of retirements so I expect it'll be fixed in time for me. It's those other poor suckers that start to retire in 2011 that'll get screwed by this deal. And they deserve it, for they're the main group of voters that caused this to happen.

Rusty Austin
A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Feinstein's "YES" Vote on Medicare

I checked to see how my senators and representative voted on the Medicare bill. I also checked to see how the candidates voted. I am shocked.

Here are the highlights:

Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) NAY
Senator Diane Feinstein (CA) YAY (booooooooo!)
Congressman Dennis Kucinich NAY
Congressman Adam Schiff (CA) NAY
Senator Edward Kennedy (NAY)
Senator Joe Lieberman (DID NOT VOTE!!!)
Senator John Kerry (DID NOT VOTE!!!)
Senator John Edwards NAY
Senator Richard Gephardt NAY

Following is an email I sent to Feinstein:

I will not be voting for you next election. That's all I have to say to you. Thank goodness we still have Senator Boxer. You should go the way of Tom Daschle and Zell Miller. With Democrats like you, who needs Republicans.

Your VERY unhappy constituant,
My signature.

I don't know about you, but Kerry and Lieberman might as well have voted yes as not to vote altogether. Lieberman I'm not shocked over, but Kerry, kiss of death to a Democratic candidate. Too bad, now we're down to 7 viable candidates.

All those Democrats who didn't vote no ... what were they thinking???!!

Kathy from Pasadena CA

Subj: Down with Daschle

To win in 2004, Daschle must resign, and Kennedy replace him. Everyday, I call Daschle's office saying "resign," then Kennedy's saying please find a way to take over, and other Senators to press this agenda. Undoubtedly the oxymoronic DLC wants Timid Tommy.

The toll free Congressional switchboard number is 800-839-5276.

We are headed for total ruination of America if Bush reselected. Dem candidates need to focus all criticism at Bush, not each other. And keep the message simple, loud and clear: Bush is for the rich, for corporatization, for war & profiteering; the Dems are for liberty, peace and the people.

Suzanne SF

Subj: Sure he can say it ...

I heard someone on TV say GW Bush can now say to the senior citizens that he promised them a Medicare prescription drug bill and he delivered. I thought to myself I could give my kids a bunch of poison candy and tell them I promised I would bring them home some candy and I did. Technically, it would be telling the truth.

- km

Subj: Daschle

Dear BuzzFlash:

Today I called Daschle's office, and left the message we need someone to stand up for the people, not help them get shafted, and he's not that man. He needs to step down.

I dream of Kennedy, or if he drops out of his bid, Kerry, taking it to BushCo when they whine "obstructionist." We need someone to say "No, we are protecting the interests of the American people, and you are trying to loot them on behalf of your contributors."

But that's the sad thing here: the Democratic leadership still is willing to accept Corporate dominance of our law-making. Doubly sad when you understand that the Corps and the Republicans are now an Alliance, and Corporate support for the Dems is going to continue to shrink and shrink until there is nothing Democratic going on in America at all. They're playing a loser's hand and don't even know it.

Daschle, et. al, have no clue that this isn't the same old game that's being played here. This is the game very popular in Europe in the '20s and '30s. We need to provide clarity and backbone to the Dem leadership. They need to "speak Truth to Power."

Jim P

P.S.: Also, these candidates attacking each other is just the thing to kill the sense of going beyond politics as usual. How stupid!, when every day BushCo provides them all with more outrages and inanities, and gives them a counterpoint to tout their own positive plans for Democracy at Home. When are these people going to figure out that all their "inside" pollsters are probably being paid more by the Republicans, and they need to base themselves on what's right.

Subj: Daschle (Sounds vaguely like "Flaccid)

Thanks for keeping the heat turned up on the limp-as-a-noodle minority leader. What can be done to pressure him out of his post? Maybe now that Kerry's presidential fortunes appear to be DOA perhaps he could be convinced to lead an uprising. Or maybe Hillary Clinton, even though she is no progressive, would be interested; she's got more cojones than Daschle could ever dream of having.

In any case, you are absolutely correct. It's far past time for Daschle to ride off into the sunset.

Michael Mahrer
New York, NY

Subj: Tom must go, NOW!

Dear Buzz:

You have been right before about Tom Daschle and you are right on the money now. This is, sadly, a seemingly endless tired refrain we must keep singing since Tom keeps rolling over like an obedient GOP lap dog. He needs to resign as Senate Minority leader immediately. His Janus style of alleged leadership is killing our party. The meaningless posturing on the Medicare bill was the last straw. Voting to end the filibuster was a vote for the bill and he knew that. His final roll call vote was a meaningless sham. This farcical exercise in Kobuki theater fools no one, and it should be the final indignity that shows him the door. 

Had he showed 1/10th the skill and heart of the House Democratic leadership this odious corporate welfare bill would have died the death it deserved. It is clearly long past time for Tom to get on with his life's work since he does not have the stomach or aptitude for this position. We need someone who "gets" exactly what this cadres of extremist Republicans are trying to do, which is to ram every last piece of their reactionary 1830's era legislation down the throats of the sizable majority of the American people who reject it. We need someone who is willing to fight them with every fiber of their being not appease them and half heartedly tinker at the legislative margins. 

Tom Daschle is not that person. For the good of the nation he needs to step aside, now.

Dan DeLisio

Subj: Hi BuzzFlash

Watched most of the debates last night. Why do people keep saying the Dems have no message? All I heard were messages - strong messages. Tom Brokaw was quite relentless in his questioning, or should I say, interrogation. All he did was try and put everyone of them on the defensive. He was insulting at times. He had no qualms about making Al Sharpton answer for his past experiences in the Tawana Brawley case. He pounded on Wesley Clark for every remark he's ever made in the past. When Tom did an interview with Dim Son, it was a love fest. Same goes for Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, all the rest. 

The Dem candidates have to stand there and explain any misstatement or misstep they have ever made in their lives, yet the president and his cabinet answer for nothing. Has anyone ever heard Tom ask Bush about his "military career"? Has Tom ever asked Rumsfeld or Cheney why they lied (all of it documented) to the American people about war? I almost felt he was mocking them, yet he in awe of the Bush administration. 

This is a continuation of election 2000. I wonder if the questions will be as relentless and personal in the presidential debates. Or will Karl Rove submit the questions prior to the debate (only to George Bush, of course). Brokaw said he wanted the candidates all to speak about their values. George Bush speaks about his values all the time - only problem his actions reflect a total lack of values. Does anyone int he media ever point that out? Yeah, right. 

Barbara in NYC

Subj: Treason Gate??

Just wanted to drop a line and say that I find it a bit ironic and sad, that we have not seen one iota of ink dedicated to the Bush Administrations treasonous activities, relating to the leak of a CIA agent?? 

Would be very curious to see what, if anything, is being done on this?? I guess Bush's explanation that "it may be impossible to find the person" was more of a threat to the (and I really laugh out loud these days when I say this) "Liberal" media to back off.

Treason is a crime that is defined in the Constitution. Consensual oral sex, is not. I can only imagine had Bill Clinton ousted a Republican CIA operative, what the "Liberal" media would have said about that. I am afraid Clinton would have faced a public stoning on the steps of the Capitol.

What outrage do we get now?? More tax breaks for the rich, more tax breaks for HMO's and Insurance Company's, and less for our brave men and
women serving over seas. 

Wake up America!! Our Democracy is being stolen right out from under us. All in the name of fighting people who don't agree with us!!!!

So, Mr. President, I assume Bin Laden and Hussein will "be captured" around September of next year?? Once they are captured, where does the "front" turn to? Others who don't agree with you? I fear those "others" are the ones right here at home questioning your policies.

May heaven help us all.....

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Medicare demise

Yes, the Republicans have succeeded in the first step of their 38-year campaign to destroy Medicare. I endorse Senator Kennedy's cogent comments about this legislative outrage. And, Senator Daschle should be ashamed of himself for his craven buckling under to the will of the hard right wingers like Bill Frist. 

Nevertheless, I do see a silver lining here, as difficult as it seems. Democrats must now put on the full court press to point out to the American people the scandalous corporate giveaways in this legislation. Every extra nickel that Americans will now have to pay -- that will be given over to the big insurance companies -- should be amplified at length, and repeated over and over again. Moreover, as far as the aging Baby Boomers are concerned, it should be pointed out to them that this new bill fixes it so that they are going to be thrown to the mercy of the HMO wolves in a few years. 

The single payer, government-run Medicare system that the American people have heartily endorsed for decades has now been raped and pillaged by these Republican thugs, and that story needs to be brought out. Ironically, this might be the best thing the Democratic Presidential nominee in 2004 ever could have hoped for. I can see it now -- the Democratic nominee hammering Bush over the details of this enactment during next year's debates. 

As the old saying goes -- be careful what you wish for. Bush wanted this bill badly, and now he's going to get it. Sure, we didn't have the votes to stop this thing in the Congress --- but why should we shut up now? On the contrary, now is the time to raise bloody hell about this monstrosity. 

Donald Russo

Subj: Republican Special Interests Win Big Again

Dear BuzzFlash

It is a sad day for senior citizens, but many of them don't even realize it. Today I heard on TV that $140 BILLION of that Medicare bill is for the republican special interests -- insurance companies and drug companies. Financially the burden of this ridiculous bill will be felt by our children and future generations. Are people so naive, that they don't realize that a bill that was suddenly rammed down the throats of the minority party, which had to vote for or against it in TWO DAYS, without the chance of studying and analyzing it for the nation to be educated about it, must have been something to be totally suspicious about? 

I am very disappointed in the so called democratic senators like Max Baucus, John Breaux and others who should really put us out of our misery and join the republican party, they are a disgrace to the Democrats and we could do without those Bush butt-kissers. As for Tom Daschle, yes indeed he is a VERY BIG disappointment as a Minority Leader. He does not have the spunk to stand up and fight for us, and he should seriously think about resigning as ML and give the role over to someone with more fire in them. I was very impressed with Sen. Kennedy and Dick Durbin, they were great, and fought like crazy for the seniors and the poorer folk, which is how the democrats should always be.

I hope that in the years to come the senators who voted for this sham of a Medicare bill be remembered as the ones who aided and abetted George Bush in messing up this nation, by squandering our future and putting us into this BIG HOLE we are in. Does anyone wonder why this bill will come into effect only after the next election?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: A Dangling Carrot for Reservists

For years and years reserve and guard members have served our country and only in recent years have they been given additional commissary privileges.

Now with a recent Pentagon-funded poll revealing that 49% of reservists are threatening not to reenlist (see [LINK]), it seems the Bush administration is using unlimited commissary privileges as a dangling carrot to "pet" our reservists and guardsmen on the head to lull into raising their hands once again. See [LINK]

Reservists earned this right a LONG time ago, but it seems they only get what they deserve when someone is trying to caudle them. Unlike the election next November, there aren't any black boxes to manipulate to keep reservists from not reenlisting.

When this tactic fails stop-loss orders WILL be put back in place.

Buzz Flash, don't let this story go untold. The Bush Administration shouldn't go unchecked for using such a pathetic tactic to get our reservists to reenlist.

Keep up the good fight.

Mark

Subj: AARP: Backlash suggestion

My husband and I phoned the AARP (800-424-3410) today, cancelled our membership and demanded a refund. We took the opportunity to tell them that:

1. They neither represent "our voice, our choice, our attitude," as their slogan asserts.

2. Their arrogance and ignorance has cost this generation and future generations affordable, equitable healthcare.

3. By publicly demonstrating that they are in the pocket of the pharmaceutical companies and Bush's government "of, by and for" corporations, AARP has lost all credibility.

4. Even if they withdraw their support, the damage has been done.

William D. Novelli is the Exec. Dir and CEO of AARP -- wnovelli@aarp.org or 601 E Street, Washington, DC 20049. Drop him a line, if you're in the mood (and perhaps one to Diane Feinstein as well.)

Have a Happy Thanksgiving anyway ... we can salute all the turkeys in Washington, while cherishing our own family and friends.

A BuzzFlash Reader