John Kerry's statement on reported Medicare Prescription Drug deal...

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_1112c.html

November  12,  2003

For Immediate Release

John Kerry said,  “The Medicare prescription drug benefit deal reached by Republicans is a raw deal for America’s seniors and a big windfall for the big drug companies.  It makes a dangerous move towards Medicare privatization with new provisions to force seniors into private HMOs and higher premiums for those who stay in traditional Medicare. It undermines benefits for those who have retiree coverage today and does nothing to contain the spiraling costs of prescription drugs.  And at the same time they are hurting seniors, the Bush Administration manages to reward prescription drug companies with a plan that will increase their profits by $139 billion.   Hard-pressed seniors need a real affordable prescription drug benefit that puts them ahead of the multi-billion dollar drug companies that fund George Bush's campaign. This is the wrong prescription.”

dropped out of AARP. I smelled a rat on this a long time ago on this one.

That's how they usually do it.

We still love John Kerry!

Are they going to stand real tall and stand against it??...no. Will they expect the seniors to listen to them and vote for them next year??...yes. Will they get the vote??...no. I'm waiting to hear from the AARP because I thought they were fighting this tooth and nail because all their members were going ballistic. In 2000 they said they couldn't endorse a candidate because their membership was split 50/50; but I distinctly remember a few months ago as this thing was brewing that they were real anti-Bush and screaming for people to pressure their congresspeople against this. Anybody know for sure what the AARP's stand is right now???

Sheesh. Every bill helps the corporate cronies more than the American people.