Benefits Who

It is very tempting to lay this (registration req'd) debacle squarely at the feet of the Republican Congress. They pushed through this lousy Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit in a demonstration of arm twisting, threats, bribery and outright lying that would make Richard Daley (the first one) blush.

Imagine if this was an election scam bill passed by Democrats to cement votes of some constituent group held by the Republicans. You can hear Denny Hastert mouthing Delay's words about the party of big government.

Ok, actually, I think this debacle should be laid squarely at the feet of the Republican Congress. But they appear to be getting a lot of help from an administration that can't seem to actually do anything right. War, occupation, money management, mine safety...even signature Republican issues like fiscal control and small government.

And, the logistical problems don't even touch on the fact we're paying up to five times for drugs under this benefit than the Veteran's Administration pays for the same thing. But, the VA isn't legislatively blocked from negotiating with the drug companies.

Of course, the bottom line is that all these seniors are seeing this "benefit" in action and they don't like it. Will they ever buy into a real solution?