The upcoming presidential campaign looks GRIM. The Democrats
and Republicans are facing off again. They just can’t
seem to agree on anything these days. Each blames the other
for current problems.
I
find it almost a laughing matter when a party representative
appears on a discussion panel on TV and has to answer political
questions. They seem to get their eye teeth stuck to their
tongue. They stumble and stammer over their words and finally
come up with, “It’s all the fault of those people
in the other party.” When asked what they plan to do
to effect change regarding a problem, they remark, “The
other party has it all wrong.” The speaker may be right
but how do they know what’s wrong if they haven’t
proposed a better solution?
Watching political commentary shows would be improved 100 percent
if they would invite people to speak who make a little sense.
The
two party systems get worse with each election. I believe
possible candidates should get together with their party
leaders and devise a plan to correct the problems the
other party has.
Take Medicare for example; both parties say changes must
be made yet when asked on national TV how they plan to
do so they
say the plan the other party has suggested is no good.
They go on to explain the other party is bankrupting
the country.
On a recent panel discussion a Republican representative
said; “Medicare
has to change.” He was asked; “How do you plan
to change it?” His answer was, “The other party
has it all wrong.” I may seem to be repeating myself – but
that is exactly what they did, repeatedly.
The
general fund always needs more dollars. When both parties
started to look for ways to cut our deficit,
they came
up with the same idea; cut Social Security and Medicare.
I suggest
they cut congressional retirement plans and expenses.
Elected officials take vacations and trips, calling
them work related
and we pay for them out of the general fund. If we
could keep
elected officials out of the funds, we wouldn’t
have as much trouble keeping the budget balanced.
When
it has been suggested congress be placed on Social Security
and Medicare and give up their private retirement
plans,
both parties drop the talk of cutting those programs.
I hope as
they continue their discussions they will put back
the cost of living allowance in our Social Security
checks.
As I see
it, no one can believe — with the high gas cost — there
has not been a cost of living increase.
Some of the objections to the escalating cost of our present
Medicare program are valid, but there has to be a better idea
on how to fix it and properly administer it. If one of the
candidates that hope to run for president could come up with
that idea, they would probably be elected. There is a problem,
however, when financial support to fund candidates and their
parties is provided by the pharmaceutical industry. It is without
a doubt one of the most powerful lobbies in Washington.
When the government decided to co-op the cost of drugs, (Medicare
Part D), prices went through the roof. Therefore, an obvious
reason for the high cost of the Medicare program is the out-of-control
cost of drugs. As candidates begin to put forth their ideas
perhaps they could ask big pharma to sell their in our country
for less than they charge overseas. I doubt countries outside
the U.S. contribute to the cost of testing and development
which is cited as the reason cost are so high.
If the parties can determine who will be representing them
and who is just taking a bus ride, we may see a campaign emerge.
As they aspire to the highest office in our land, they need
to work together and come up with some good ideas on how to
get our country back on track and keep it there.