Kerry Says Record 17 Percent Increase in Medicare Costs Shows Bush Breakin

[hang a left]

Kerry Says Record 17 Percent Increase in Medicare Costs Shows Bush Breaking Campaign Promise

Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., gestures at a rally in Akron, Ohio on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch)
09-05-2004 7:25 PM
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press Writer

AKRON, Ohio -- Democrat John Kerry said Saturday that a record increase in Medicare premiums for doctor visits was another failed promise from President Bush.

The Bush administration announced a day earlier that monthly premiums for a portion of the program for the elderly and disabled will rise $11.60 next year, to $78.20. The 17 percent increase is the largest in the program's 40-year history.

Kerry pointed to Bush's promise in his convention speech to make Medicare stronger. The speech and the increase are highlighted in a new Kerry campaign television ad to start running Tuesday in battleground states.

"On the day after saying he'd strengthen Medicare, Medicare premiums go up for senior citizens 17 percent," Kerry told supporters at a rally in this electorally important state.


http://sandiego.cox.net/cci/newsnational/national?_mode=view&_state=maximized&view=article&id=D84TSL3G0

[Libby2]

1. If this doesn't persuade the elderly

I don't know what will.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[redstateblues]

3. Bush is a deserter and a liar- Kerry wins Your state

[niceypoo]

4. Republicans are jealous of Kerrys record

I love how it makes them seethe. now ADIOS Moron!

[Kimber Scott]

6. Bush Votes?

Presidents don't vote in Congress. But, I understand how you wouldn't understand that fundamental operation of our government by the rest of your post.

[alcuno]

9. "Money marrying?" Are you jealous?

How many multi-millionaires consider you to be a catch? Go back to your television remote.

[TahitiNut]

10. Please ...

[truth2power]

18. Hey, thanks TN...

I don't know what poster #2 said....I got here a day late. But we can't be reminded often enough not to feed these folks. ;-)

[The_Casual_Observer]

11. Now THIS is a truly bitch'n post!

I couldn't have dreamed one up this good!

[featherman]

12. this is funny

never realized how really stupid these people (freeper trolls) really are. What is this guy... an acne challeged fifteen year old?No understanding of how gov't works, crazy lie, personal attacks. And all in support of a cocaine snorting, drunken, spoiled playboy whose idea of manliness was to be an Ivy League cheerleader and hide out in the TANG to avoid a real shooting war.
Whatta man!

[kodi]

5. frame the debate by translating the 17% increase into a tangible object

no one understands 17% of something which itself is not easily quantized.

kerry and his gang ought to "objectify" what 17% means and employ what was used, believe it or not in the old braodway musical called the pajama game when union members were talking about a 7 1/2 cent raise.....

"7 and a half cents doesn't buy a heck of a lot,
but give it to me every hour, every day
and in one ..... week, month, year, ....a toaster, a refrigerator, a car, a house, a college education for the children"

QUANTIFY THAT 17% AND STICK IT IN PEOPLE'S HEADS

a 17% increase means poor, old, and sick people will be FORCED to sustain themselves on things like ........a loaf of bread, and 7 cans if tuna fish per week, a house with the heat on 55 all winter, good will for their clothing.....

QUANTIFY IN HUMAN TERMS. FRAME THE DEBATE.

[skjpm]

8. I think this offsets the prescription discount

If they managed to figure out the discount in the first place.

[luaneryder]

17. No one has figured it out yet

All the seniors I know are confused and angry; and they vote!

[napi21]

7. This coupled with the stupid medicaid drug laws will do it!

I admit, I've been a erry supporter for quite a while, and although I'm 60, so not quite ready for either of these programs, they scare me to death! I've done some research on the new "drug" law, and it costs so much each month in addition to the regular medicare & medicaid premium costs, there's not much left out of that SS check. Now they say the medicare premiums are going to increase too!

Somehow I can't see how it's possible to afford food, utilities, taxes or rent,and any medications you might need on the small amount of money that would be left.

I have a little bit of money saved in a 401(k), but a lot of it disappeared with the stock market crash 3 years ago.

I think you're right about this securing the senior vote for Kerry. The only ones who will still vote for shrubco are the fairly wealthy retirees who want to protect their dividends!

[The_Casual_Observer]

13. He ought to frame the increase as a TAX HIKE

chimp raised the taxes! chimp raised the taxes!!!!!!

[Bozita]

14. Yep, he just raised the cost of living for every senior citizen

All done with the swipe on a pen.

One man's pen.

I need to see a definition of "compassionate conservatism."

[Sparky McGruff]

15. I second that idea

Seniors! HE'S GOING TO RAISE YOUR TAXES! HE ALREADY HAS!

[Infomaniac]

16. 17%

17 percent on a fixed income is quite a jolt. As a matter of fact, a 17 percent increase on anything in this economy, with its near-stagnant wasges, is also quite a jolt. So chimpy signed this one into law, did he?