More on Stupid Republicans and 527s
By Brad Smith Posted in User Blogs — Comments (9) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
As Republicans remain hell-bent on using the power of big government to try to silence their political opponents through regulation of so-called "527s," virtually every day we see evidence of why this is not only unprincipled, but politically stupid.
This morning, I'm on the road, so I'm looking at USA Today, and at its coverage of the prescription drug plan rammed through two years ago. Note that this horrible budget busting plan has been a source of constant unrest among the GOP's base. It's bad public policy, and presumably even the White House understands that. But it's all about politics, right. "This is going to win us votes, and allow us to accomplish other things." And as bad as it is, let's be honest - most American seniors will pay less out-of-pocket for prescription drugs.
But that's not how the press wants to cover it. Here is McPaper's lead coverage, under the front page headline "1 in 5 pay more in Medicare Rx plan:"
Medicare's new prescription-drug program has increased out-of-pocket costs for about one in five participants, causing some to risk their health by reducing or eliminating medications.
Yes, that's right, not only is the prescription drug plan bad budget policy, but according to USA Today, it is causing seniors to stop taking their meds, because it has made them too expensive.
This illustrates once again why conservative ideas need paid ad support much more than liberal ideas.
Tony Snow is good, but no one person is that good. Nonetheless, apparently the GOP is really counting on USA Today - the nation's largest circulation newspaper - Time, Newsweek, the networks and Katie Couric to explain the GOP's message?
is in the 4th grade and her reading comprehension is about 1000 times better than yours.
...believe that they are much more effective at advertising than the professional script writers, producers, actors and models who the Democrats hire.
Anyone who can find anything good about this prescription drug program should join George W. Bush in the New Democratic Party.
Regardless, you must be a very proud parent.
I'll spell it out for you in case you didn't catch my point: "This illustrates once again why conservative ideas need paid ad support much more than liberal ideas."
From this, "liberal ideas" are represented by The News (the authenticity of which goes unchallenged in this particular instance) and thus Republicans need paid ads to not-dispute the News.
So we need paid advertisements to cheerlead the fact that only 1 in 5 seniors pays more as a result of this policy, a fact already pointed out in the News article quoted? Okey dokey.
No, I do not think voters will think much of this approach. Best of luck with it, though.
This illustrates once again why conservative policies need paid ad support much more than liberal ideas.
Republican Senators now propose to cut out the middle-men in getting re-elected with direct payments of $100.00 to each voter harmed by too high gas prices. Cost savings realized from eliminating the costs of indirectly acquiring votes, c an be ploughed back into their direct purchase of votes for other worthy causes. Republicans don't need no professional find-raisers and campaign managers.
By including the provision for drilling in ANWR in the same bill, don't they get the Dems to vote against the $100 "help" and then we are able to say they "voted against helping Americans pay their gas bill."
???
is that Republicans need to spend more money because the News is bad for them. This will definitely fly with voters, best of luck on that.