Hey, Dems! Remember Rostenkowski and Medicare?

[antigop]

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1123-11.htm

Then as now, Congress was on the verge of expanding Medicare coverage. Critics were warning seniors they were getting a raw deal. And lawmakers back in 1989 were equally eager to convince Americans that their new Medicare benefits were a wonderful idea.

For Dan Rostenkowski, D-Ill., then powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, it all boiled over on a hot day in August when he failed to sell the new coverage to elderly activists at a seniors' center on Chicago's North Side. Brandishing canes, some waving signs saying "Rottenkowski," they chased the sweating, panicked lawmaker to his car. When they surrounded his car, he got out and ran down the street.

Within months, Congress had repealed the law.

"The backlash will be bigger," this time, Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a consumer health advocacy group, predicted last week. For one thing, the current Medicare changes are bigger than 1989's. They're also hard to explain, passed by a partisan vote, and will adversely affect some seniors.

Democrats last week taunted Republican backers of the new Medicare prescription drug bill with videotapes of Rostenkowski's misadventure.

[antigop]

1. kick n/t

[annabanana]

2. THIS time the propaganda will be MUCH better catapulted. . n/t

[antigop]

3. Here is the video

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/08/11/rostys-catastrophic-moment-over-health-care-was-a-first/

"I was out there on the street with him that day," recalled Jim Jaffe, Rostenkowski's longtime press secretary. "When you see the video with the old lady chasing him down the hill, I was there. It was a wonderful media moment."

It was not so wonderful for Rosty, as the powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee was known. The moment, nearly 21 years ago to the day, was captured in an iconic video clip that has served ever since as a warning to lawmakers about the way seemingly good intentions in Washington can go very bad back home.

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qre7DzEtxyc

[Tippy]

4. K&R

[antigop]

5. kick n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. K&R! You DO NOT mess with Seniors in this country. They will HURT you.

:evilgrin: THEY know how to fight for what is THEIRS.