Does GOP Really Have Our Best Interests at Heart?
Posted on: Monday, 6 February 2006, 12:00 CST
To the editor of The Post:
When Kentucky's elderly have to bear the burden of a failed Medicare drug plan, many of them without drugs when they most need them, some falling ill or even facing death because of poor planning by the government --
When Gov. Ernie Fletcher decides that $550,000 is adequate to fund this year's budget for Medicare after being asked for $5 million to $7 million, the rub being that twice that much was put aside for elk restoration in Eastern Kentucky --
When a corrupt party in Washington decides to privatize the Medicare system, which wasn't broken in the first place, in order to pay back those pharmaceutical companies who have given millions to the Republican coffers, making the pharmaceutical companies the real winners in this special interest give-away (hundreds of billions of dollars worth of subsidies were given to these donors, revealing the truer purpose of lobbyists) --
When our own president tells Congress that the new program will cost no more than $400 billion over a decade, knowing the full cost will be at least 20 percent more (the chief Medicare actuary knew it would cost more but was forbidden by Bush appointee Thomas Scully from sharing his estimate with Congress before the vote) --
When we consider that House rules were broken by holding open the Medicaid drug bill vote for an astounding three hours while indulging in all manner of threats and bribery (congressional scholar Norman Ornstein called it "the ugliest and most outrageous breach of standards in the modern history of the House") --
When this corrupt party, spawning the likes of Jack Abramoff, forces millions of our poor forgotten senior citizens out of Medicaid and into private plans subsidized by Medicare that is so complex, precisely because it funnels people through the private sector --
When all of this taken together points to a corrupt and power- hungry party from Washington on down to state government, it's time Republicans take a good look at their Republican legislators and decide if this is the party that has their best interests at heart. They need to ask themselves if they've been duped by the party's manipulation of their emotions through issues such as abortion and gay rights. After all, without these votes, the Republicans would fall short of winning so many elections.
And, once in power, it seems only the very wealthy benefit from inhumane policies spawned by the Republicans while their hard- working constituents' fervent desire to be taxed less and to have their tax dollars spent more responsibly are completely ignored.
Ellen Everman Deaton
Ryland Heights, Ky.
Clooney bashing
Why the sudden surge of anti-Clooney letters -- Nick and George? Well, inspired or organized, let me speak from the opposite viewpoint.
George Clooney has acted in, produced and directed in movies with ideas. He has put his own money behind his artistic convictions and stayed away from over-sexed, over-computer-generated, overdone violence. He has taken chances rather than just coasted on one successful type role -- replaying the same old same old.
As for Nick Clooney, his crime seems to be that of leaning left, and, well, just being George's dad.
My view: Opinion columnists have opinions. There are right- and left-leaning columnists in The Post, so read what you want. Of course, one-sided readers may miss something. So read and challenge facts if you can. But demonizing the opposition, that's (unfortunately) so 21st century. At one time, believe it or not, we had discourse in this country.
Fred Newbill
Cincinnati
Lead by example
Let me understand this: President Bush is burning fuel (i.e., oil) to jet around the country, telling Americans we need to break our addiction to oil? Seems that's like the proverbial pot calling the kettle black.
I'd rather see the president turn down his thermostat, replace government cars and limos with hybrids, and demand American automakers build cars with better mileage.
John Cummings
Kenwood
New format worse
I loathe the new format of The Kentucky Post. The division of Kentucky news and Cincinnati news was the reason I've always subscribed to The Post and not the Enquirer.
Michael Pfetzer
Florence, Ky.
Source: Cincinnati Post
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