NYT: Bush, Touting Drug Plan, Encounters Protests Over Social Security

[Pirate Smile]

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., June 17 - President Bush came here on Friday to promote the Medicare drug benefit, enacted 18 months ago with help from AARP. But he was greeted by people protesting his plan to overhaul Social Security.

"Hands off our Social Security," said a sign outside the local community center, where Mr. Bush encouraged older Americans to sign up for the drug benefit.

The fight over Social Security could complicate efforts to sell the drug benefit, if only by sending a mixed message about actual and potential changes in the two programs.

Medicare insures more than 41 million Americans who are 65 or older or have physical or mental disabilities. All are eligible for the drug benefit. People will receive detailed information about their options in October and can enroll in the six-month period that begins Nov. 15. Medicare will begin paying for outpatient drugs on Jan. 1.

more
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/18/politics/18bush.html?

[rodeodance]

1. Jr. most likely did not see the protestors--as i read yesterday they were

to be keep out eye site of Jr.


......But the fight over Social Security, Mr. Bush's top domestic priority, could also distract people from the changes coming in Medicare.

Hubert H. Humphrey III, president of the Minnesota branch of AARP, said: "I welcome the president to our state. I am very pleased he's talking about the Medicare drug benefit, and we will help him in that effort to educate millions of Medicare beneficiaries."

But Mr. Humphrey added: "We strenuously disagree with the president's plan to create private accounts financed out of Social Security. His plan puts an undue burden on future generations by saddling them with the huge costs of altering Social Security, as well as a decrease in future benefits. It's a lose-lose situation for everyone involved."

Mr. Bush did not mention Social Security in his public remarks on Friday. Scott McClellan, the White House press secretary, reaffirmed the president's support for personal accounts, even though his proposal is stalled in Congress. Mr. McClellan said Mr. Bush would reiterate his position in a public "conversation on Social Security" next week.

[Straight Shooter]

2. The NYT smacks bush around with the phrase "sending a mixed message"

Of course with bush that would be mexed missages.

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. The nation says "Up your Ass" to all your shitty proposals Mr. Chimp.

[maddezmom]

4. NYT- Bush, Touting Drug Plan, Encounters Protests Over Social Security

By ROBERT PEAR
Published: June 18, 2005
MAPLE GROVE, Minn., June 17 - President Bush came here on Friday to promote the Medicare drug benefit, enacted 18 months ago with help from AARP. But he was greeted by people protesting his plan to overhaul Social Security.

"Hands off our Social Security," said a sign outside the local community center, where Mr. Bush encouraged older Americans to sign up for the drug benefit.

The fight over Social Security could complicate efforts to sell the drug benefit, if only by sending a mixed message about actual and potential changes in the two programs.

Medicare insures more than 41 million Americans who are 65 or older or have physical or mental disabilities. All are eligible for the drug benefit. People will receive detailed information about their options in October and can enroll in the six-month period that begins Nov. 15. Medicare will begin paying for outpatient drugs on Jan. 1.

~snip~
more: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/18/politics/18bush.html



Edited to add local link:
Hundreds of Protestors Greet Bush

President Bush’s visit to Minnesota on Friday brought out hundreds of supporters and protestors.

The protestors were upset with the President about a variety of issues, including stem cell research, the war in Iraq and social security. Social security seemed to be the issue that galvanized the majority of protestors.

~snip~
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=99958

[truthisfreedom]

5. yay for my fellow Minnesotans! we don't put up with no stinking bush*t.

he isn't welcome in our state.

[jwirr]

16. Amen

[Lochloosa]

6. Arrest those people

How dare them protest against the king.

[bballny]

7. He's a uniter

not a divider

[amber dog democrat]

8. The best thing the Chimp can do is stay his course.

He's like a zombie, slaving away at trying to get Americans to go along collectivly with his delusions. Bush and his handlers see us as prey, or plain stupid. The sooner he falls apart the better. I really like this: he needs Americans to help sell his Medicare programs to other Americans. How lame is that?

Also it pleases me to no end that only 25% of polled Americans like his privatization schemes.

My only fear is that there is a deeper, underlying strategy working behind the scenes while the Chimp is off creating diversions. Am I paranoid? Tin foil hat time?

[UpInArms]

9. here's a graphic of sentiment for you

[amber dog democrat]

13. EXACTLY !

you know, I'd say El Chimp-o is in muy agua calliente.
and to all those delusional nitwits ( or worse ) with chimp n' chain-ee bumper stickers on their SUVs, I don't mind at all being an " I told you so " !

dam, we need another terra 'lert and soon !

[bobbieinok]

10. and the I and J medigap options will no longer be available

these pay/paid (partially) for prescriptions

and, I've heard, if you don't sign up for the prescription drug payment (rumored to be ca $35 per month) within the grace period, the cost will go up for each month you don't sign up

[Demeter]

11. Pass The Popcorn, Please

I just LOVE to watch Senior Citizens vs. Political Incompetents in a cage fight!

[Supersedeas]

12. I want my mandate back--wwwwhhhhaaaaaa!!!

[Doctor_J]

14. Those anti-Americans did not read the script

better put them in cages

[jwirr]

15. "all are eligible" is the funniest thing

I have ever heard. I used to live in a senior high rise that had subsidized rents. We were told that anyone living in the building were ineligible. That was 40 apartments. Think of how many seniors live in some kind of public housing.