Fellow Democrats:

A number of our Club delegates just returned from Columbia where our Party held our State Convention. After going through legalities of voting on resolutions, and electing our leadership, we were inspired by speeches of House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, and Chairman of the Budget Committee John Spratt. Our gubernatorial candidates Ford, Rex, and Sheehan addressed us also.

The inflammatory rhetoric of the right wing and tea baggers is still rampant, and we will soon confront their arguments with our current events/research committee. Your executive board hopes we can count on you to do your share in helping to advance our cause. Be informed on the issues confronting our Party, nation, and state.

Paul Russo, President

P.S. As this newsletter is emailed to others outside Sun City, it is imperative that Sue Yearwood be called (705-3918) for you to obtain a pass for any of our functions.

If you can’t win an argument based on fact, then lie! That appears to be the strategy being used by Congressional Conservatives. They attempted to defeat Healthcare Reform by following the 24 page strategy of GOP guru, Frank Luntz. Now they are using his leaked talking points memo on financial reform, (17 pages) almost verbatim.

Minority Leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of drafting a partisan bill, even though the Senate Banking Committee Chairman, Chris Dodd(D-Ct., worked for six months with key Republicans and incorporated many of their ideas into the bill. Sen. McConnell also accused Democrats of continuing bailouts, which the bill does not contain.

Following suit, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) parroted the Luntz talking points in his email to reporters that mischaracterized what Sen. Dodd’s bill would do. Source: “Dodd’s Financial Frustration” Kevin G. Hall - Island Packet 4/15/10.

Under the new healthcare bill Medicare benefits are expanded in 2 ways. Starting in 2011, Medicare will pay 100% of the cost of routine annual physicals (presently only one physical exam is covered fully upon enrollment in Medicare). Preventive services such as glaucoma screenings for certain individuals, mammograms, pap smears, and hepatitis B vaccines will be completely covered (Medicare Rights Center). The Part D prescription coverage gap between $2830 and $6,440 (in 2010) will gradually be reduced. In 2011

Part D participants will receive manufacturers discounts and government subsidies on medications. These discounts and subsidies will phase in at different rates depending on whether a medication is a brand name or generic drug. Starting in 2011, higher premiums for Part D coverage will be imposed on individuals earning more than $85,000 a year and couples earning more than $170,000 per year.

1) There are fewer earmarks under the Democratic leadership. Last year there were 2,000 fewer pet projects obtained by legislators. The 9,192 earmarks that were passed, cost taxpayers $11 billion. That is a 17% drop in the number and 27% reduction in cost. The new regulations instituted by Democrats is showing results as taxpayers are assured on being informed of how their money is being spent. Each appropriation bill must identify each earmark and the purpose, the Congressperson making the request and entity receiving the funds must be identified. The requesting member must also Certify that neither he or she nor spouse will benefit financially.

2) We constantly read right wing columnist Bill roe associating Pres. Obama with Bill Ayers, a former domestic terrorist. The fact is they never were close, and the President denounced Ayers’ violent radical atrocities which were committed when the President was only 8 years old. They were not close friends and did not have regular contact over the last several years. The men first met in 1995 through an education project, the Chicago Challenge.

3) Senior advocacy groups better keep vigilant about the National Commission On Fiscal Responsibility & Reform created by Pres. Obama. Its co-chair, former Republican Senator Alan Simpson, is quoted in an interview with Maria Barteroma on CNN, Feb. 22, 2010, when asked, “Can you name one or two programs in terms of Spending that will also be cut in addition to entitlements?” He answered: “We’re going to stick with entitlements - Social Security & Medicare.” Along with Republican appointees on the committee having only a 6% voting record in favor of senior issues, It is not a good indication when members already have a pre-determined direction.

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