At least look compassionate and pass the aid package

You know something I am sick of?  I am sick of turning on the television or reading in the newspaper about some family in the Gulf Coast whose kids are starving and have not showered in weeks because of FEMA's inability to get food and supplies down there a full month after the fact.  Both parties in Congress are pleading with the Administration to stop ordering between four and five senators -- according to sources -- to block a Medicare relief bill that will instantly provide a layer of protection for families in that area.

When it comes to lives on the line, we need to be as nonpartisan as possible.  I have listened to President Bush, who validly claims that the families in need are protected by a previous broad $800 million aid package that was passed almost one month ago.  But very respectfully, the flaw in that bill is that it is simply not enough, and not all of it is targeted for Medicaid. 

Unlike some far-left liberals, I will never claim that President Bush does not care about the victims down there.  Over the last week, in my view, his involvement in coordinating the government's response has improved.

At the same time, victims down there need access to Medicaid coverage.  Even Trent Lott agrees (Washington Post):

"I'm prepared to be hard-nosed, too, at some point. At some point, youhave to tell them: 'Okay, ante up and kick in or get out of the game.'  But I'm notlooking for a fight. I'm looking for help, for people that aredesperate."

The Congress is attempting to pass a $8 billion bill to keep more innocent victims from losing their lives because of a lack of basic help, such as medicine and food.  If they can't get that bill through, it will be Bush's fault yet again.

Comments

[kenny]

ok, who are the four of five senators that are blocking?

[Administrator: Todd]

Click on the citation that I made, and a Washington Post article says that there are between four or five Senators blocking it. It reads, "Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the committee, said four or five senators have been blocking action on the bill after the Bush administration raised objections to provisions that would extend Medicaid coverage to thousands upon thousands of adults who otherwise would be uninsured, including those whose applications have been rejected in Louisiana."

And your response to me will obviously be, "Todd, but I asked for names."

And my response will be, "It's called anonymity, a technique that is respected by all Senators on Capitol Hill instead of legislators outing each other all the time. Besides, if they outed each other they wouldn't be able to look each other in the eye each night they dine."

And you say, "Great explanation Todd!"