Bush Budget Raises Cost of Medicare

AP ^ | Jan 29 | ALAN FRAM

[jpsb]

Jeb Bush needs to go to DC and kick W $ss. W is ruining Jeb shot in 2008. To bad cause Jeb is the only Bush I like.

[RightWhale]

Okay. Governors at least have the necessary public experience to conceivably win such an election and to not immediately destroy the Office of the President altogether. Usually. But governors are usually unknown outside their state, so if these two wish to seek higher office they should make themselves known sometime.

[Pubbie]

Jeb isn't going to run in 2008 - his wife is sick of having to deal with politics and Jeb doesn't like DC.

[apillar]

Well I suppose its better than "tax and spend" democrats, we've got "cut taxes and spend" republicans... I think the problem is both spending cuts and tax increases are politically unacceptable, so the politicians take the easy way out and give people what they want, large spending increases and tax cuts.

The problem with that is eventually your probably going to have to have "massive tax increases AND massive spending cuts" to keep the country from going under. Sadly enough I've come to the conclusion that all parties, the president, and democrats, and republicans in congress have decided to ignore the problem and hope they are out of office in 10 years or so when it comes back to roost.

[Texas Federalist]

Your post made me feel like I was watching the Matrix Trilogy: the beginning was refreshing and witty, the middle was intelligent and forward-looking, and the end made me wish I had stopped reading after the first paragraph.

[Reagan Man]

The cost for Bush`s original proposal for Medicare reform and prescription drug coverage for the elderly poor, was set at $158 billion over ten years. The legislation that Bush signed into law was for $400+ billion. As expected, the costs have sky rocketed to $540 billion over ten years. Before its all over, this largest increase in federal spending in 40 years, will probably cost in excess of one trillion dollars. That is fiscally irresponsible and both the GOP Congress and PresBush are to blame.

OTOH, just imagine what a Democrat president like John Kerry would have proposed. Can you say, national healthcare?

[LowCountryJoe]

Ouch!

[LurkedLongEnough]

"Bush Budget Raises Cost of Medicare"

What hypocrites the liberal press are. I want to hear ~more~ complaining about "Bush's" spending. We can then compare notes on how spending increases are reported when Democrats endorse them. "For the chillen"

[fatso]

bump

[dread78645]

... Even if you're thouroughly disgusted with Bush's "compasionate conservatism" agenda, you really have no choice but to cast your vote for him. The existence of our personal freedoms, quite literally depends, on it.

I looked and looked, but couldn't find your < /sarcasm > tag.

[yonif]

Onward to socialism! It is the Democratic People's Republic of America no?

[yonif]

Exactly. No matter who is power, government continues to spend, provide more services and enact more programs.

[Cubs Fan]

Great, and I bet that will go up and up some more if not soon over the years. Because Bush ios so insecure about his re-electionshe is damaging the cou try for years after he's gone.

IN 8 YEARS OF CLINTON there was no need for this prescription BS BUT when Bush gets in it HAS TO BE DONE WTF?

This and and all his other reckless spending and legalize the illegals, no gay marriage stance, no affirmative action stance (even giving money to the NEA for frigging crying out loud) this is the last straw. I may change my mind, but for right now at least I'm done with him. I'm staying home.

[LowCountryJoe]

If the "conservative base" actively petitioned [bitched] to the Republican politicians to repeal the 16th Amendment - that way we could later go after the repeal of the 17th - then we'd be able to reverse this damn trend.

I have my own ideas [post#38] about what could be easily sold to the public and what should do the trick.

One of these days someone might take me seriously; an imaginary friend maybe?

[af_vet_rr]

In 2008 we're going to have to nominate a real conservative like Mark Sanford or Bill Owens to clean up the mess Bush will leave us with.

You and I can nominate whoever we want, but that won't be the candidate on the ballot for President, because it's not about the most Conservative candidate anymore, it's about appealing to everybody, liberals and Conservatives alike.

[My2Cents]

Precisely.

[SJackson]

The problem with that is eventually your probably going to have to have "massive tax increases AND massive spending cuts" to keep the country from going under.

I wouldn't hold my breath for the spending cuts but the tax increase is here. One of the rarely discussed features of GWB's drug benefit is that, based on annual audits, the medicare payroll tax INCREASES if costs exceed targets. Guess they do.

[Gunslingr3]

Even if you're thouroughly disgusted with Bush's "compasionate conservatism" agenda, you really have no choice but to cast your vote for him.

I wonder if GHWB's handlers told him the same thing. "They have no choice, they'll vote for you..."

[OldFriend]

I support the changes in Medicare. Most don't realize that they will not pay for a health checkup. You can't get health care until you are ill. By paying for checkups serious problems that require hospitalization can be detected early. Illness such as diabetes, etc.

In the long run preventive care will save billions.....