Saturday, January 31, 2004

Some not-exactly-satisfied Bush customers:

When she could find an extra quarter during the Depression, Marie Scott saved it in a coffee can. When she could afford Stride Rite shoes for her daughters, she bought them a half size bigger so they could be grown into. She didn't think a car was broken in until the odometer said 50,000 miles.

For all of her 77 years, Marie Scott did everything the straight and narrow American way – including paying her Social Security taxes – so she could enjoy a secure retirement.

Now she feels like her country punched her in her gut. It passed a Medicare prescription drug bill that, she says, will hurt her – and millions of other senior citizens.

Scott has a coronary heart condition. The new bill could cost her $3,600 per year in drug costs....

She was one of a crowd of 50 who turned out for the first meeting of the revived Senior Legislative Action Committee, which featured Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey, D-Saugerties, blasting the bill he called "obnoxious."

"We are no longer the silent majority,'' said Priscilla Bassett. "I'm 70 plus and I'm angry."...


--Times Herald-Record (Monticello, N.Y.)

So ordinary citizens are holding meetings to get this legislation repealed (and they're coming out in weather that's pretty damn cold) -- and a congressional Democrat (i.e., by definition a member of a highly risk-averse group) shows up to egg them on.

Remember when this bill was being described as a political home run?

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