Bush Deadline Set for Medicare – Why Not Iraq?
10 May 2006 1:34 pm by Taylor Marsh
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Reader emails are one of my favorite things to receive, as are
comments, especially when they suggest stories or things I should cover. JoeBeets
sent me an email recently that is positively spot on. So, I went looking for
links and quotes to make the point that is really the bottom line for me and
many others. If Bush can set a deadline for American seniors on Medicare, why not for the Iraqis on taking charge of their own country?
I've been pushing for a deadline for the Iraqis in parliament to get themselves together, take
charge of their country and make out of it what they choose. The Iraqi people deserve better than they're getting from their legislators. Democrats are now backing what began as John Murtha's idea, which is making 2006 a transition year. But it seems
Bush is still reluctant, though just this week one redeployment was canceled,
which can only be a good sign. However, I want more and our troops deserve better.
If Bush can set a deadline for American
seniors to sign up for his new disaster Medicare plan, or be threatened with
the loss of their prescription drug coverage. Why can't Bush set a deadline
for redeployment of American troops?
Back in March 2006, President Bush talked to a group of seniors,
which he's done continually since that date. When he was asked to consider rolling
back the Medicare deadline he had a simple answer. It's revealing. The answer
was an unequivocal no.
Q My mom is 75, she is sick, she's back in New Jersey alone.
She didn't know anything about the Part D in the drug plan until I told her
in February, with all the publicity and everything. I'm trying to walk her
through it, but she doesn't know what to tell me. I don't know how to help
her. I've punched her stuff into medicare.gov, I've got the basics, but it's
still too much for her to afford. And I don't know where to tell her to go
and get help. She wants to know if you guys will roll back the May 15th deadline.THE PRESIDENT: No. And the reason why is there's got to be a fixed time for
people to sign up. We want people to realize there is — now is the time.
And I'm not exactly sure about your mom's situation. I do want to thank you
for helping her. Daughters ought to help their mothers realize what's available.Now, again, there is a — I'm not sure what the plan — the structure looks
like in New Jersey, but rolling back deadlines is not going to help
your mom make a good decision. You're going to have to help her make the decision.
And a lot of people like your mom were in the same situation — they took
a look, said it looks confusing. But there's a lot of help. That's what —
one of the reasons I'm here to talk about —President
Discusses Medicare Prescription Drug Benefits in Maryland
Now, I'm not exactly equating Medicare to Iraq. But the philosophy employed
here applies to both situations. People respond better to deadlines. When the
deadline is fixed their choice is made for them. It's a powerful motivator for
everyone, including those tangentially involved who are being asked to step
up and aid the situation.
Regardless of the fact that Bush should never have preemptively invaded, the
fact remains that Iraqis handling their own affairs is the goal, understanding that there is actually a facade of power in place that extends from Iraq to Iran to the United States, with the Arab League still sitting on the sidelines. We can't give the Iraqis
peace or a government that works for the people, only they can achieve it for
themselves. It won't look like anything we recognize, but that's not the point,
now is it? So, we're doing them a favor by setting a deadline. After all, there's
really nothing more that we can do now is there?
