CENSORSHIP Dems Cry Foul Over GOP Interference With Medicare Mailers

[meegbear]

Source: tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com

A bitter, behind-the-scenes fight over the GOP's Medicare phase-out plan has bubbled out into the open, and now Democrats are openly charging Republicans with censoring their communications with constituents.

Several House Democrats are petitioning House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), in a letter first reported by Roll Call, to step in and stop Republicans on the House Administration Committee from blocking Democratic Medicare mailers.

The controversy arose in the wake of the special election in New York's conservative 26th district, where Democrat Kathy Hochul defeated her GOP challenger, who supported the Republican Medicare plan. Before then, Democrats had fired off mail to constituents warning that the plan would "kill" or "end" Medicare, without objection.

Since then, several Democrats have seen their mailers delayed, with Republicans demanding strict revisions -- both to identical language they had approved before and even to milder critiques. Those Dems are crying foul.

Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/censorship-dems-cry-foul-over-gop-interference-with-medicare-mailers.php?ref=fpblg

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"The documentation in question uses terminology and phrases that have been approved in previous documents," the letter reads. "This politically motivated censorship undermines our ability to execute one of our primary roles and diminishes the credibility of this institution. To that end, we ask, in the strongest possible terms, that you urge the Franking Commission to allow for 'a robust debate and an open process that allows you to represent your constituents -- to make your case, offer alternatives and to be heard,' as you promised when you assumed the Speaker's Gavel."

You can read the letter, delivered Tuesday, here. It was signed by Reps. Timothy Bishop (D-NY), Leonard Boswell (D-IA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), and Ed Perlmutter (D-CO).

[SoapBox]

1. It's Facism. Period.

"The 14 Characteristics of Fascism"

http://www.ratical.com/ratville/CAH/fasci14chars.html

[Sarah Ibarruri]

19. And the Democrats in govt. positions are doing absolutely nothing

They just vote right along with the Republicans on everything. And our president? Again, going right along with Republicans. I'm thinking he might be one himself.

[liberalmike27]

41. I'm Just Going to Bring My Facebook Comment Over Here

This is amazing--Democrats are fair "Weiner, resign, resign," and republicans use every single possible method to go against Democrats, to win, to water down their messages, to corrupt PBS with their propaganda and people, even to change Democratic mailers to their constituents to their language, even though "voucher" is exactly what Republicans are proposing.

Are they concerned about being "fair" here? Were they when they didn't ask Vitter to resign? Were they fair when they got rid of the "fairness directive," allowing massive networks like FOX, and 95% of the rich-mans radio to be extremely right-wing? Were they fair when the SC ruled for Bush, even before the recount was done in Florida? Were they fair when they actually bought the companies that produced voting machines, and corrupted several of them in Florida in 2000? Were the 5 SC right-wing, extreme con-servatives fair when they chose to allow corporations money to flow like a Tsunami into the 2010 elections, blunting a new awakening of Democrats in their resurgence? Were republicans in Florida fair in 2000 when Kathy Harris and Jeb Bush actually tampered with voting lists, purging mostly democratic voters, using felony lists from Texas and Florida, that were inaccurate, often purging similarly named people who had never done crimes?

Democrats are fair, and Republicans win, they do every possible thing they can, and they win, including corruption and very underhanded techniques. I think it's why they've stopped even hiding their agenda anymore, they've got it locked up, tied up tight, sealed in concrete. Why hide things anymore, yea, we're going to give the rich so much money, you folks are going to be the new crop of wage-slaves. We're going to assure us a good crop of wage-slaves, by making sure you don't get the right to choose, and we're even going to try to make contraception illegal, in case you are thinking about not having children, bringing them into this miserable life.

[Scuba]

2. So Republicans are censoring Democrats. Why am I not surprised? Why am I not surprised...

...that the media isn't all over this?

[OHdem10]

3. What control over Democratic Party do Republicans have???

Me thinks the Dems need a spinal transplant.

[liberalmike27]

42. This is an Agency,

Apparently controlled by the party in power, that reviews documents sent to the Democrats and Republican voters, who is actually changing, watering down, and inserting Republican phrases for Democratic phrases, those suggested by Frank Luntz and his little group of merry census takers.

It's like putting a muzzle, or censure button on Alan Grayson.

But they don't really need to do these things, since Democrats eat their own with Weiner. The republicans would've found out what to say, then when anyone asks they all reply together saying "So, Vitter can screw whores anywhere and anytime he wants, and be allowed to stay, but Vitter needs to go???" Eventually, the press not getting their desired 'Democrat destroying' result, will stop asking.

[madrchsod]

4. the last democrat with a spine was lbj.....

[aquart]

5. Doesn't matter. He was an unfaithful husband.

Therefore useless and worthless and the Great Society would never have been allowed if he'd had a Blackberry.

[whathehell]

24. Actually, he wasn't.

First LadyBird even commented on it...but that was many years after his death.

[blackspade]

6. How are they censoring the mailings?

The democrats should tell the rethugs to fuck off.

[spooked911]

15. I guess the rethugs have the power of the purse over sending them out

something about a franking commisssion


I don't quite get it but it's freaking outrageous but nothing new for the worst political party to ever exist in this country

[Vinca]

21. So let's do a postage fundraiser.

[dragonlady]

7. Astonishing that members' newsletters have any restrictions

I had never given any thought to restrictions on what members of Congress could send. But there is something called the Franking Commission, three Democrats and three Republicans, and detailed requirements for what goes into a communication. The overall thrust is to avoid partisan politicking while using taxpayer-paid postage. For example, "The Member's name may appear up to 1/2" in height in one instance; all subsequent appearances may not exceed 1/4" in height." There are rules about how many photos of the member may be used and how large they may be, and how party labels may be used. Members may not use derogatory language about other members. That all seems defensible. But all communications must by law be submitted for an advisory opinion. That must be where the Republicans, who control the House, are censoring the content, and that's just wrong.

http://cha.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=171&Itemid=264

[dotymed]

31. The obvious abuse of this Fascist "franking committee" is

that all of this information, prior to the election, was "approved."

We need President Obama to bring attention to the party of NO, every time they pull shit like this, which seems to be daily.
By not speaking out, he is hurting his re-election chances.



:puke:

[pscot]

34. Limiting the size of photos of "the member"

is probably a good thing.

[Stuart G]

8. kick nt

[russspeakeasy]

9. You could have left "foul" out of your headline.

[SoapBox]

10. It's a sad state, even here at the DU...

I'm, right now, comparing the comments about 2 stories.

This one...9 replies.

And just above this...the Porn Star / Weiner story...58 replies.

Even here, with Dems, Libs and Progressives...a weiner story gets more press.

Sad.

[NutmegYankee]

12. Conditioned by the MSM on what is news.

It's very sad...

[emcguffie]

14. You're absolutely right.

But some of the responses on the Weiner thread are there preciselhy because people are so (words fail me this morning) upset that THAT is getting so much attention.

Sorry I'm having a very hard time articulating this early.

[liberalmike27]

43. Awareness of Brainwashing

Is growing--I talk about it a lot, you should all talk about it. The media sells itself as liberal, it acts as if it has no choice as to covering Weiner, while in truth it is neither liberal, nor is it forced to roast Weiner.

There is a level 4 problem at a nuclear plant in Nevada (or Nebraska) right now, for instance, not to mention all of the important stories going on now in the world, as Rachel Maddow pointed out the other night.

It's sick that people don't understand this. I think the biggest incidence of this I observed both nationally and as to its influence on a local group was during the Dean campaign. I was the Mobile, Alabama head of the group. We had a growing movement, up to nearly a hundred folks working on the campaign. Then somewhere around February, the media hit the tapes about Iowa, then the infamous "Dean Scream," where they played this clip of Dean screaming on a microphone that shut out all noise after his third place Iowa finish. They played it 3000 times, or more I understand, destroying Dean.

Clearly Democrats aren't impervious to being brainwashed, as the next meeting, when we were hitting a hundred, we had about 12 people. The interesting thing was, the 12 people were the same ones that showed up early, the people that saw something of substance in Dean from the beginning.

Awareness is the first step. Anytime you get total coverage of this, you must look behind it and see what you are missing, what isn't getting coverage. Ryan's medicare plan, nuke disasters, continued problems along the Gulf, tumult in the ME, extremely high rates of dissatisfaction with wars to name just a few.

[Mrs. Ted Nancy]

11. Impact of Republican Medicare & Medicaid cuts

It is broken down by each congressional district.


http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?q=page/district-by-district-impact-of-republican-medicare-plan-and-medicaid-cuts

[Hubert Flottz]

13. The NAZIS have Landed...!

In the Us House of Representatives!

[Iliyah]

47. You just noticed?

If I remember my history books, which I understand by 50 zillon polls out there that most young people don't know shit about history (which I find hard to believe), well we know that that the gopers aka tea brats don't know, anywho

wasn't "censoring" the start of Nazism? Lies, untruth and blaming a certain group of people also including in the start of Nazism. Taking away people rights (unions, voting supression, women rights, etc.) the start of Nazism.

This shit is scary and oh what about voter fraud like stealing elections.

[fasttense]

16. Typical RepubliCON tactics.

If you can't win, cheat. If you can't cheat, hide it and lie about it.

[trud]

17. Wow, I had no idea there was control over this.

I assume they can't block email and Facebook, but many voters are likely not on their reps email lists.

I knew the Senate was very dysfunctional with those stupid individual member blocks, but now the House.

[CBHagman]

18. The Roll Call report, plus contact info for Boehner.

House Democrats Cry Foul over Rejected Mailings

http://www.rollcall.com/news/house_democrats_cry_foul_rejected_mailings-206493-1.html?zkMobileView=true

The commission returned a flier to Rep. Gerry Connolly on May 29 over objections to language stating that the GOP budget would “end” Medicare. The commission asked the Virginia Democrat to rephrase the passage to say the plan could “change” or “could privatize portions” of the federal health insurance program for seniors and the disabled.

Connolly called the action “Orwellian in nature.”

“It is the most extreme censorship I have ever encountered,” he told Roll Call. “And it’s all because they have been taking heat on Medicare.”

Similarly, the commission asked Rep. Ed Perlmutter to strike the words “eliminate” and “dismantle” in favor of the word “change” in a flier about the Medicare proposal. The commission also asked the Colorado Democrat to remove references to Ryan, replace “voucher” with “premium support system” and change “privatize” to “revise government program with support from private insurance companies.”

Connolly said he is fuming, particularly because the commission allowed similar language before the New York special election. Democrats widely credit the Medicare issue for turning the tide against Republican Jane Corwin, who had been favored to win the House seat.




See below if you want to send an email or call the speaker about this or any other issue.

http://www.speaker.gov/contact/

[Vinca]

20. I don't understand why Republicans would have anything to say

about what is or isn't sent. Just send the damn things.

[Orangepeel]

25. This must not be campain mail. Probably govt paid for "what have I done for you" constituent letters

that incumbents send

[DontTreadOnMe]

22. Where is Obama?

Does he speak out on issue like this?

[Bluenorthwest]

26. Obama says the Republicans are honest brokers, wonderful,

ethical paragons who we need at the table for their great ideas. He does not criticize them, he criticizes gay and liberal people. The Republicans he promotes, he lavishes them with kind words and constantly tells Democrats not to criticize the GOP because they are our partners.
He is incorrect and full of shit. He can try to tell me they are honest all day long, I'm not buy it.

[Ikonoklast]

46. Why would he insert himself into the internal affairs of a co-equal branch of government?

Congress will sort this out on its own, Mr. Obama putting in his two cents would be less than useful.

[barbtries]

23. precious little credibility left to diminish

unfortunately. as usual the republicans will stop at nothing no matter how wrong to advance their gawd awful agenda for this country.

[SemperEadem]

27. Cry... yep... that's about all they'll probably do, too

cry like little girls.

I guess they rolled over on that little first amendment thingy.

[mikeyDE]

28. how the Dems will respond....

They'll hold a press conference focusing on Weiner's weiner.

[KansDem]

35. Don't forget the "sternly-worded letter!"

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Frisbee]

39. I think even that is too confrontational for them these days. n/t

[Enthusiast]

29. This is why I am so disturbed

about the changes to our nation. This is not business as usual. I'm waiting to hear Democrats address this.

[theophilus]

30. Outrageous! Republics and their allies should be in prision. n/t

[DFW]

32. If there is a next Democratic Speaker of the House

I hope he or she will learn (FINALLY) from this and leave NOTHING off the table.

[wordpix]

33. sounds like mail tampering & freedom of speech violations to me

Let's see some ballsy Dems sue the rethugs.

[bertman]

36. When Republicans want to do something they JUST DO IT--without asking the Democrats

for permission or input.

When the Democrats want to do something they just whine and plead with the Republicans and act like they are astonished that there is no bi-partisanship, and then they get nothing.

[Jester Messiah]

37. Fucking bullshit. Send it anyway. [nt]

[quakerboy]

38. This may not be popular

but those look like campaign fliers to me. why is the government paying for those.

In the mean time, if Democrats are doing it, I assume that Republics are abusing it to the max. Maybe that should be investigated by someone.

[LynnTTT]

40. Death panels?

I am in Joe Wilson's district here in SC (don't ask) and have received many pieces of mail from him talking about "death panels", socialism etc. I assume all these were allowed.

[RedCloud]

48. Maybe Medicaid opoonents are the death panels.

[JHB]

44. So the Republicans have flip-flopped on franking?

They've changed their solid, principled policy when it became politically expedient?

(I'd give an Uygeresque of cooooooooouuuuuuurse, but the solid and principled part never actually existed)

Democratic leadership, members of Congress, Mr. President, allow me to introduce you to Drum. Please beat it relentlessly. Thank you.

[shoeless]

45. Medicare cure

Republicans tell us that Medicare is sick, and their cure is to kill it.