NY -26 Special Election a Bellweather for 2012?

1. 59

   Doug Hughesposted 12 years ago

   “Today's tight race in New York's 26th Congressional District has become a referendum on the Republican plan to transform Medicare,” the AP writes. “The western New York district is among the most conservative in the state. Nevertheless, the latest poll shows Democrat Kathy Hochul with a slight lead over Republican Jane Corwin in the race to succeed Republican Chris Lee, who resigned.”
   
   Roll Call: “[F]air or not, the race has been framed as the country’s first unofficial referendum on Republicans’ plan to reshape Medicare. This referendum, however, could send ripple effects deep into 2012.”
   
   The Hill: “All of Washington will be watching New York on Tuesday, where a Democratic win in the special election could have national implications for the Republican Party. The special election for former Rep. Chris Lee’s (R) seat has been cast as a referendum on the GOP’s budget proposal and given both parties a chance to test campaign themes ahead of the 2012 election.”
   
   The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: “Western New York has been in the spotlight as the candidates debated the future of Medicare, federal spending, taxes and the broader purpose of government.”
   
   The Buffalo News’ editorial page: “This page recognized Corwin’s abilities, but endorsed Hochul in the race. We believe she is best suited to the task of restraining government while protecting important programs like Medicare, safeguarding the environment, improving the nation’s education and other issues.”
   
   Guess who won? (And it wasn't even close)

   replyreport
   1. 79

      Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      HUGE UPSET!
      Democrat Kathy Hochul captured 47 percent of the vote to Ms. Corwin’s 43 percent.
      A Tea Party candidate, Jack Davis, had 9 percent.
      
      From what I've been reading, Medicare was the tipping point. People do NOT want their Medicare privatized.
      
      No doubt the presence of a TP candidate (who apparently turned his nastiness on Corwin) hurt the GOP.
      If you added the TP votes to the GOP votes, GOP would have won.
      
      Nice bellweather for 2012, indeed.
      Maybe we'll finally get those jobs promised by the party of NO...

      replyreport
      1. 60

         uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Interesting misinterpretation.  I thought we were supposed to get jobs from Barry's "laser focus."  But I guess a pint of Guinness and jetting Michelle around with a giant entourage is more important than focusing that laser on job creation.

         replyreport
         1. 79

            Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            No misinterpretation. Conservatives promised jobs in 2010.
            
            
            FRESNO, California — On November 2nd the conservatives, grouped together in the Republican Party and the radical Tea Party movement, swept elections renewing the U.S. Congress.
            
            The economic crisis was responsible for the Democratic loss expressed in the "punishment vote", as the analysts call it, towards President Barack Obama.
            
            But what did the Republicans promise that got so many people to vote for them? They promised jobs. Do they have some sort of plan to create those jobs? The truth is they don't.
            
            Their campaign strategy was to agitate the fear of the citizenry on two levels: 1) Obama¹s government is socialist and will lead us to catastrophe
            and 2) what he is doing in view of the crisis is no good and even worse, he  is getting us into debt.
            
            This, accompanied by a vicious tone from the opposition towards anything President Obama does.
            
            But, what about the jobs? When will those promised jobs arrive? Let¹s get to the point: they will never arrive.
            
            On the same day as the election, the triumphant Republicans exposed vociferously their true project: 1) Eliminate President Obama's health reform; 2) Cut hundreds of services and eliminating thousands of public jobs in those states where they were able to achieve governing —for example,
            Wisconsin and Pennysylvania— and 3) The grand prize: prevent Obama¹s reelection in 2012.
            
            Not one word, and much less, a coherent plan about the creation of jobs.
            
            For many years —clearly since the Reagan administration in 1980—we heard the same slogan on behalf of the conservatives: we have to reduce taxes so that corporations can create jobs.
            
            But this tax reduction didn't bring more jobs. On the contrary, we've seen  how corporations pocket the money they save on taxes and they take their production to other countries like China or India, where they pay salaries that are much lower and have no benefits.

            replyreport
            1. 59

               Doug Hughesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               The TP managed to get elected based on a pretty package. The wrapping is off. The Ryan plan is what the GOP is really offering.
               
               Privatize Medicare. Shift the cost to seniors. Six thousand per year for each senior. An extra 12K per year for a retired couple on a fixed income. Repeal all protection. If you had a heart attack when you were fifty, with the protections in Obamacare repealed, there would be nothing to prevent private insurance from excluding coverage for coronary care.
               
               The Ryan plan does cut taxes for the top 1%. The wrapping is off and the Tea Party will be able to hold their future rallies in a phone booth.

               replyreport
               1. 79

                  Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  According to Boehner, Medicare played virtually no role in the NY victory.
                  Funny, other sources are caling Medicare the "third rail issue" for 2012.
                  We'll see.
                  Personally, I look forward to seeing the Dems avange Willie Horton (Dukakis) and Swiftboaters (Kerry) and the whole cabal of Obamahater.... Gloves off...

                  replyreport
            2. 60

               uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               When you talk about jobs do you mean all the jobs Barry has been creating with his laser focus?  How many times has that been promised right before another round of golf or a white house party or a big trip abroad to keep Michelle from getting too board?
               
               Do you even understand how economics works?  Do you understand what it takes to move a bill all the way to a law?  Do you understand that the only actual cut in Medicare funding is through obamacare?  Do you understand that obamacare transfers huge funds to AARPs medicare supplemental i-n-s-u-r-a-n-c-e, privately run monopoly insurance?
               
               The great futility is that it doesn't matter at all liberals live in a fantasy.  If all the private property of every American from those heartless, baby killing monsters - the rich - all the way down to the working poor - who own more personal property than the average poor person any where else in the world - the elitist, arrogant, liberal central government would burn its way through everything in less than a generation and leave my grandchildren to live in squalor.
               
               Thank you for your clear and informed vision of how real things work liberals where is my handout.  I am sick and tired of working hard every day and thanking God that I still have my crummy job as i wonder how much longer I can afford gas or groceries, how much farther I must cut back as the dollar tanks. 
               
               Thank you liberals for wrecking the dream.  Barry has been Pres. now for over two years, and had an overwhelming Congressional majority for the first year and a half.  He owns this economy and foreign policy now.  There is no recovery, prices are rising, employment is not.  The dollar is tanking and foreclosures continue to rise.  The housing market continues to slide and bankruptcies are up.
               
               The Middle East burns as the "Muslim Spring" reveals itself as the opening chapters of a greater conflict and Barry thrashes around happy to take over Buckingham Palace but unable to comprehend the depths of trouble the world is in.  And liberals are still wedded to the myth that this guy is brilliant and qualified for the office despite having accomplished nothing more than getting liberals to flock to him.  We used to call men like that demagogues - but I suppose that is now a racist term.
               
               Thanks liberals maybe there will be a great nation left for my grandchildren to move to.  You destroyed Europe perhaps there will be something left in South America, but I doubt it. They like their liberal, communist and socialist governments there, too.
               
               Its okay, nothing you could do about it.  People only remain free as long as they remain virtuous and that never lasts long.  The Athenians, Romans, Dutch all discovered that eventually people drift toward greed and corruption.  Leaders become too powerful and not being angels, become corrupted by power.  People use their corrupt leaders to feed their own, all too, natural tendency to laziness and greed driving industry and frugality out of a culture spelling its doom.  It is okay history is just that which we are doomed to repeat.
               
               It is futile to believe that liberals will ever learn that government is the enemy of liberty and that the two have been in a battle for time immemorial with only the last few hundred years being a time when liberty looked like it had a chance.  That is the exceptionalism that liberals balk at expressing.  No nation ever did more for all other nations to push back against tyranny than this one.  But that fight is over and so is America, and as a consequence the remaining world is terminal, thanks to liberalism.

               replyreport
               1. 79

                  Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Gosh, UCV.
                  You seem especially down tonight.
                  Obama's trip to Europe seems to really rankle you.
                  Actually, his very existence (and Michelle's, I notice) seem to really rankle you.
                  We all agree that this is 2011 and Obama's watch.
                  Foreign policy, domestic policy, for better or worse, are carrying the Obama name now, no longer Bush.
                  
                  So what would you suggest? We fold up the government tent, take our balls (meant as in sports, not anatomical) and go home?
                  Say to hell with it, everyone just govern yourself. Mind your own Ps and Qs and don't expect nuthin' from nobody?
                  I think you may have been spending to much time with Evan, our resident anarchist.
                  
                  Having watched "Too Big to Fail" the other night and the follow-up to "Wall Street" tonight I find the conservatives' argument that government sucks laughable. When those high rolling fat cat capitalists got into trouble, who did they turn to to bail them out? Those bankers were mighty glad Uncle Sam could come to THEIR rescue. Yessiree.
                  ****
                  I can tell you're in no mood for any pushback.
                  So I will just sign off and go take some more of my happy pills and retreat to my little liberal la la land.
                  
                  But before I go, might I suggest that if you're tired of working and wondering where your handout is, ask a Democrat. They're the ones fighting to keep the entitlement programs afloat.
                  As to how "we" (American liberals?) have ruined Europe, and are wrecking this country for your grandchildren... might I suggest a nifty little country smack dab in the middle of the Arab action? It's called Israel. You might really like it there.
                  
                  P.S. The dollar is up against the Euro. And gas prices are coming doooowwwwwnnnnn.
                  
                  'night.

                  replyreport
                  1. 60

                     uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Barry's existence doesn't bother me, at all.  His presence in the white house does.  Explaining why is a waste of time also.  When Barry's veep can call him the most bold modern president and say that Barry has faced the most daunting problems of any president ever it just reminds me how delusional liberals are.
                     
                     Bolder than FDR?  Bolder than Truman?  Bolder than JFK?  Bolder than Reagan?  Insanity.
                     
                     More daunting problems than any president - Joe Biden, great Democrat genius Senator, widely and lavishly praised by Barry - intentionally diminishes Lincoln and Washington to elevate a man who has exacerbated the problems with which he was presented.  More DAUNTING PROBLEMS THAN LINCOLN!?!?!  Is any more proof of insanity necessary.

                     replyreport
                  2. 60

                     uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     So you are saying that your understanding of economics and finance come from Oliver Stone movies?  Awesome.  That explains so much.
                     
                     Never mind.  It becomes increasingly obvious to me that there is no shared reality between liberals and conservatives.  Like the patient in the hospital it is the psychotherapist who is delusional.  Have fun in your delusion.  I am sure that the villain in your little mind play will continue to be "fat cat" mustache twirling, old, fat, white, American, men sitting in ornate thrones born aloft by the unwashed masses while being pulled about by their servile Republican lackeys. 
                     
                     May your simple minded fantasies comfort you while you wait for the government to rescue you from the potato line they have forced upon you while you were hating free markets.  Good luck with that comrade and if you hear about any size 11 shoes being handed out I could use a new pair of work boots.  I can't afford them right now, maybe if I ask Barry he will bring me back a pair of designer Italian work boots. 
                     
                     Thank you Barry for saving me.  I wonder if the modern hand out king will make Santa Claus give up the title.
                     
                     For the record - Anarchists are just as delusional as liberals.  The difference is that liberals have control of classrooms, boardrooms, counting rooms and news rooms.

                     replyreport
2. 60

   uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years ago

   You missed a very important indicator in the Senate of what direction things are taking.  The Obama Budget lost in the Senate 0 -97.  Not even socialist Barry Sanders voted for his fellow Barry's budget offered back in April.  Paul Ryan's Budget passed the house but lost in the Senate 40-57 but that is 40 more votes than Barry's Budget.  Pat Toomey ( another bell weather electoral victory over turn coat Arlen Spector -that was his second switch - much more of a switch back) offered a budget also and it put performed Barry's budget also, 42-55.
   
   Another bellweather?  The Wisconsin court election on the heels of the evil Governor Brown's "fight" with the unions.  That was a Dem. loss also. 
   
   Weather - including bellweather is where you find it.

   replyreport
   1. 79

      Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Obama floated a budget just to get the ball rolling and give the GOP something to shoot down.
      Funny how declared GOP candidates are backing away from the Ryan budget like the hot-potato it is....

      replyreport
      1. 0

         kimberlyslyricsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         hey beautiful - good job at abstaining ha
         love you
         now kick some butt
         
         

         replyreport
3. 76

   lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

   If only seniors could have stuck up for poor moms and kids like they did themselves....
   
   Single parents are just as much on a restricted income and life-style as seniors.
   
   Only they get demonized, and even Dems don't mind throwing them under the bus to placate Republicans.
   
   It's a hollow victory, as far as I'm concerned.
   Let's see Dems fight for ALL people--not just a certain few.
   
   Which btw, Obama is doing. With little help from anyone.

   replyreport
4. 61

   BobbiRantposted 12 years ago

   This is about the part of America I live in, I am 45 minutes from Rochester, NY.  I say: "you go Western NY!"   Western NY elections did us Proud!

   replyreport
   1. 60

      uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I hope New Yorkers continue down that road just so long as they don't expect the people of Indiana to bail out their failed state.

      replyreport
      1. 61

         BobbiRantposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         LOL  LOL LOL  I lived in Indiana recently, for 7 years.  Indiana is such a mess, I doubt IN could bail out Anyone, not even their own state.  Services in Indiana are the pits!

         replyreport
         1. 60

            uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Stay in New York.  Indiana is one of only a few states in the black.  By services do you mean hand outs - if they stink that is awesome.  Maybe freeloaders will continue to search for "generous" states.

            replyreport
5. 60

   Moderndayslaveposted 12 years ago

   You mean like the way Greedy Corporations do?

   replyreport
   1. 60

      uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Blah blah blah - when you say something so hackneyed and useless as "greedy corporation' with out a description of what exactly you mean by "greedy"  one can only conclude you mean "greedy" as profitable.  What corporation is greedy? Do you understand that if a corporation is too fixated on profits it will, in an economy that is still free, be undercut by a competitor?
      
      How can any corporation be as greedy as the sum total of all government in the US?  The Federal government take - TAKES - over $2.2 trillion away from people and still uses dollar inflation to create more.  Forty cents of every dollar spent by the "greedy" government is fabricated.
      
      Government does not have to convince anyone to invest in it, purchase its products or it services as a corporation does in order to make revenue.  The "greedy" government merely TAKES the value of everyone's property for itself either through taxing present value, by borrowing against future value or by diluting the very value of property itself through inflation.
      
      Corporations has money and can only create more by voluntary actions of other.  The GREEDY government has no money of its own so it must use yours by force or implied force(there is a reason why revenue agents carry firearms).  That is GREED.

      replyreport
      1. 60

         Moderndayslaveposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         That was a lot of words for Blah,Blah Blah, actually our representatives have sold out "The People " of this country for "The Corporations" campaign contributions. Don't bother with the free market crap either because as soon as you do see: AIG, Goldman Sac
         hs, Bank of America and so on so don't bother trying.

         replyreport
         1. 60

            Moderndayslaveposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            More proof:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-2 … ccord.html
            
            http://my.firedoglake.com/changeisgood/ … u-anymore/

            replyreport
6. 59

   dutchman1951posted 12 years ago

   Line for NY Times article:
   
   "Voters, who turned out in strikingly large numbers for a special election, said they trusted Ms. Hochul, the county clerk of Erie County, to protect Medicare.
   
   “I have almost always voted the party line,” said Gloria Bolender, a Republican from Clarence who is caring for her 80-year-old mother. “This is the second time in my life I’ve voted against my party.”
   
   Pat Gillick, a Republican from East Amherst, who also cast a ballot for Ms. Hochul, said, “The privatization of Medicare scares me.”
   
   I think it scares a lot of Seniors and may well be the issue.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Some facts from a person Just looking at Medicare now
   
   age 65, Medicare A is free, no charge
   Medicare B, (This year 2011) deducts 115.40 from your social security check
   
   Using Blue Cross as an example here in Tenn.
   
   Suplimental Polocy to cover what Medicare will not
   Blue Cross Elete, 120.96 a month
   Drug Plan, Medicare part D; there are 29 plans available, Goverment does not offer any themselves, you have to buy a private drug coverage plan.
   
   They range from 19.80 up to 52.50, and have yearly maximums, from 900.00 up to 1880.00 dollars, when you hit that yearly total, thats it for coverage, you are without coverage until you hit your life time max. Thats the Donut Hole they speak of.
   
   It  ranges from 2800.00 to 5600.00 for lifetime maximums, so depending on the plan chosen the gap is in range,  from 900-1800  thru 2800-5600 depending on the plan you have.
   
   The deductables
   
   Medicare A= 1148.00 this year 2011, voted on by Congress each year
   Medicare B= 250.00
   all Drug plans= 350.00 deductables
   
   all have to be met out of pocket.
   
   For Medical costs Medicare pays 75%; co insurance usualy pays 20%; the deductables and the rest (Like charges above reasonable and customary) are your own responsibility.
   
   Breakdown:
   
   Monthly withdraw out of your SS Check:
   
   115.80 ( a month) Part B
   
   52.50 a month Drug plan, (Most expensive of the 29 plans)
   
   120.56 a month (Blue Cross Eleite)
   
   Total auto taken out of your check before you get it
   288.46 a month
   
   A Good gage of your benifits:
   20 years at 30,000.00 a year   about 1600. to 2000.00 a month
   depending upon when you retire. Age's 62-66
   
   so by all of this, you auto reduce you monthlyr benifit by about 300.00 to 450.00 Depending on the State you live in and what is allowed to be offered there, and the Rates.
   
   Remember all drugs have a co-pay also, they range from 2.00 to 6.00 for a preferd generic, up to 12.00 for non preferd generic
   
   non generic Drugs, like say Premerin can range from 40.00 co pay up to 33% of the total cost of the drug. and they screw you because they count your co-pays towards your yearly maximum!
   
   The plans are average coverage at best, and not great coverage either.
   
   There are  lots of loop-holes, and ways to deny paying for coverages, without denying coverage to a person.
   
   Some have limited visits, some limited drugs to choose from for your Doctor on their formularies, and many  will not pay for drugs your Doctor says you should take.
   
   Way to Many hassels and problems for People to put up with, for the money.
   
   And this new Medical re-vamping that Pelosi and Reed pushed down our throats and  passed makes absolutely no provisions to correct any of this.
   
   Except that you can not be denied coverage. Which does not matter if they will not pay for services anyway!
   
   Thats why they are voting like that.
   
   Republican's favor Business
   Democrats favor Goverment,
   
   and not one Party favors or cares for Older people!
   So we break Party Line and look for some one compatable and hope they do not get corrupted along the way.
   But you are still putting faith into a Politician!!!!!!!!  so your skeptical.
   
   
   we are screwed either way we go.
   the majority does not want the grabage being offerd.
   Seniors are considered a liability, not an asset..

   replyreport
   1. 59

      dutchman1951posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      and Chris...
      
      you are correct no one helps the Single Mom at all, it looks like a good chance to start a Lobby Group, that not only lobbies but truly Helps single Mom's, might be a thought.
      
      a good Blog at least.
      
      The reason I think they do pay attention to Seniors is because un-like the collage age Vote, we spend money, not consume it, and that kind of spending they want. But Organizations like AARP are also rip off's.
      
      and Single Mom's can not spend like that. So they pay no attention.
      
      It is like you need a lawyer to protect you from all the other lawyers!!!
      
      

      replyreport
      1. 76

         lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         It's the kids I worry about.
         They are just starting out in life, and need to be healthy.
         I'll never forget when Romney was gvr here--yes, the one who wants to be president.
         There was an article about a great new medical procedure that an older gentleman was a "guinea-pig" for....must have cost hundreds of thousands $$ for the operation...all paid for by medicare.
         After it was over, he said he was looking forward to getting back on the golf course.
         At the same time, Romney cut dental and eye-care for masshealth kids.
         Patrick put it back when he came into office.
         
         This shows the disparity in tax-payer resources.
         End of life care is eating up most of it, and little kids can be forgotten.
         
         Put us all on the same plan--we can pay for it.
         If you want extra--YOU can pay for it!
         
         We need Universal Single-Payer.....badly.
         
         What kind of a country lets healthcare be determined by wealth?

         replyreport
         1. 79

            Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            A country that does not believe healthcare is a fundamental right of its citizens.
            For a country founded on such high-minded principles, we've gotten way off track in the application thereof.

            replyreport