Date: January 9, 2010 8:17:08 AM CST

Subject: Open Letter to Nixon on Healthcare

Dear Governor Nixon:

A federal healthcare takeover and mandate thrust upon us by President Obama, Senator Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi is on the brink of being passed into law despite the overwhelming public outcry opposing their efforts.  The legislation is convoluted and full of provisions that will raise the cost of living for most everyone in our state.  Up to this point you have chosen to remain silent on whether you support the efforts of your fellow Democrats in Congress.

Despite your silence Governors in other states sounded the alarm that this legislation will bankrupt their states.  Even fellow Democrat Governor Bredesen of our neighbor state Tennessee called this legislation the “mother of all unfunded mandates” and opposed the legislation.  Missouri’s share of the cost of an expanded Medicaid program would be as high as $450 million per year.  The Medicaid program already requires more than $100 million per year in new funding for natural caseload growth.

Some argue this federal takeover is an infringement on state rights and unconstitutional.  Regardless of this issue, unless you cut funding to education, Missouri simply does not have the money to afford President Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi’s social experiment.  Governor, you know the legislation being forced through by your Democrat Party will bankrupt the state of Missouri and yet you say nothing.  The time has come for you to take a side on this issue.

Will you stand with me and speak out against the tax increases, healthcare takeover and mandates being proposed by the federal government?  Or will you abdicate your position to the powers of your fellow Democrats President Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi.  Missouri deserves an answer.

Sincerely,

How about a little fun in the new year?  This is a letter I wrote in response to a letter Sen. Claire McCaskill wrote January 12 to  “..clear up some widespread misinformation” on the so called health care bill.

January 14, 2010

Dear Senator Claire CONNER McCaskill,

At first, I thought I would respond point by point to the half hearted letter I received from you to “clear up some wide spread misinformation” in regards to H.R. 3590 (Senate Bill) and your support of said bill.

But then I thought, why bother?  You didn’t write this letter; you didn’t care about the phone calls and the previous correspondence; you didn’t care about the private meeting you “granted” to nineteen of us concerned citizens of Missouri late last summer. I have to tell you, I was getting kind of down.  But, as I continued reading I came to the sentence that read…”there has been an unprecedented amount of transparency during the debate…..”

Wee doggies! That there is just durn funny!  I guess I’s jest a dum gal frum Mizzurah.  I don’t know nothing ‘bout no health care debate, Miz Claire!          HA!

And with that, I knew I had to write something, if just for the fun of it—you know—- kind of like the letter you “wrote” to me!  Frankly, Miss Claire, I don’t give a damn if you read my letter or not.  Someone will and I will feel better tomorrow.  So, with apologies to Margaret Mitchell, here goes.

First of all, I am not proud to share the name Conner with someone so unscrupulous, so ambitious, so manipulative and so unacquainted with the truth.  It seems you are also unacquainted with the citizens of Missouri.  It turns out Missourians are not as naïve and uninformed as you had hoped.  You are supporting this Health Care bill for one reason only.  Your party and your President are hell bent to pass SOMETHING and you, Claire McCaskill, are determined to be counted as a loyal soldier to the “cause”.    Your ambitions are such that you are willing to prostitute yourself to whatever degree it takes.  You know this health care bill is a worthless piece of legislation without merit or constitutional authority.   But, if Barry wants it, by golly, you are going to support it!  (After all, tomorrow IS another day and they DID consider me once for VP and really, Barry isn’t that happy with Biden—it could be ME, it could be ME in 2012!)

You have acknowledged the incredible number of phone calls and letters you have received elsewhere.  What was the gist of those calls and letters, Sen. McCaskill?   What WERE those pesky calls about?  Perhaps we should have saved our stamps and phone time because you were NOT listening to your constituents.   What you ARE doing is exhibiting a smooth political disconnect between what your constituents are telling you and how you are spinning that message to suit your ends.  You know we do NOT want this health care bill.   Furthermore, you take us for STUPID by telling us it will reduce the deficit!  Lord have MERCY!   Cook the books and pass the potatoes!

Missourians are stubbornly independent.  Didn’t you already know that?  We want to be LEFT ALONE.  Big government is NOT welcome, because every FREE thing the government offers comes with a big fat price tag.   In this bill, we lose our freedoms and our money—just like every government intrusion throughout our history, including, but not limited to (do you like the legal speak?):  Medicare and Social Security.

I have heard you sneeringly and repeatedly say, that Medicare and Social Security were called socialism when they were signed into law.   They were then, they are now.  As soon as these programs were put into effect, the monies collected from the citizens IMMEDIATELY went somewhere else and now after all these years of paying into those bankrupt programs, you disdainfully ask people to give them up?!  Hello, pay me back every cent with interest and penalties and I WILL.  The government is not a good steward of our money.  Never has been and never will be.  We do not want to send our hard earned money to Washington, so you inbred, irresponsible, insulated outlaws in D.C. can use it as bribery, move it around to your own ends and then tell us you are “taking care” of Missouri’s interests.

Hey, and how about that abortion funding tucked into this bill?  “Disease prevention, reproductive rights, medical procedures”; all those cute little euphemisms you people like to use to “fool” dummies like your rube constituents in Missouri. You are a nervy gal.  I will give you that; to actually refer the Catholic Bishops to the Gospels and fill THEM in on what Jesus taught and urging them to give up on this abortion thing is pretty darn cheeky!   Really Claire, I don’t think the Catholic Church is the right place for you.  You seem better suited to the Episcopalian’s who are fond of bending the “rules of faith” to suit themselves.   Give it up, Claire.  The true reason you cannot support the wording of the Stupak Amendment for the Health Care debacle, is that your Emily’s List funding will then become a thing of the past!  Gee, haven’t you already logged in $500,000 plus from that bunch towards your next run at……whatever?

We also know you will never support free market reforms that really work or tort reform because that would put off your biggest supporters, i.e. your fellow attorney’s to the tune of $1 million plus.  It’s about the power AND the money.  Please, please, PLEASE don’t insult us again by calling us “your bosses”.  We know who your real bosses are and it is not us Missourians.

Ahh, Claire, I could go on and on, but I have been really sick.  I wasn’t able to get a flu shot for H1N1, because, uh, the government sort of mismanaged THAT whole affair.  But you know that vaccine manufacturing process was so complicated with the eggs and stuff……..    Although I went to a tonsil taking, foot amputating health care provider the other day, I’m still a bit run down.   Therefore, I must close for now.    Just remember Miz Claire: you fooled us once by pretending to be a moderate and any number of things you are not.    Then this past summer, you said you didn’t care if you got re- elected.     That’s good, because Missourians have long memories……….…….no matter where your name turns up on a ballot.

Signed and Feeling Better Already,

Original Letter Sent by Senator Claire McCaskill

January 12, 2010

Dear,

Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform.  I welcome the opportunity to update you about what is contained in the Senate health care bill and clear up some wide-spread misinformation.

According to independent analyses of the bill, including the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the recently-passed Senate health care reform legislation will reduce the deficit, protect Medicare, and stabilize healthcare costs for over 90% of Americans.  This reform is necessary because the soaring cost of medical care is crippling our economy, bankrupting our nation’s families, and becoming an unsustainable financial burden for American employers.  In the last eight years, health care premiums have grown four times faster than wages, and insurance companies have made millions of dollars in profits while routinely denying coverage.

On November 18^th, 2009, Senate Majority Leader Reid introduced The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  On December 24^th, after five weeks of debate, I voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, embodied in H.R. 3590, which passed by a vote of 60 to 39.  The Senate bill (H.R. 3590) and the previously passed House bill (H.R. 3962) must now go through a reconciliation process.

I want you to know that I have read The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act thoroughly and plan to read all of the provisions in a final, reconciled health reform bill before casting my vote on final passage.  If you would also like to read the full text of the legislation, you can find the complete text of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at http://democrats.senate.gov/.  While there has been an unprecedented amount of transparency during this debate, including hundreds of televised hours of committee work and debate, I disagree with the decision not to have a conference committee to resolve the differences between the House and Senate legislation. I believe that those negotiations should be open to the public.

I supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act because it would expand health care coverage to more than 94 percent of Americans, curb skyrocketing healthcare costs, and ensure patient choice of care, all while significantly reducing the government deficit.  The bill would also stop insurance company abuses that prevent people from getting the health care they need, such as denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.  In addition to consumer protections, the bill establishes state-based health insurance exchanges where individuals and small businesses can compare and purchase insurance plans online at more competitive prices.

I have heard from some Missourians who have concerns regarding certain provisions in the Senate bill.  The Senate bill upholds current federal law which requires that no federal funds can be used to pay for an abortion except in the case of rape, incest, or danger to the life of the mother.  To ensure this, the measure requires insurance plans to keep federal funds completely separate from private premium dollars, and further requires that anyone purchasing abortion coverage do so with a separate private payment.

The bill also expressly exempts illegal immigrants from any of the health care programs and the ability to participate in the health insurance exchange.  Some non-citizens who lawfully reside in the United States and pay taxes on their earnings may be eligible to purchase health insurance in the exchange, provided they meet prescribed eligibility requirements.

In addition, there are provisions that will strengthen seniors’ Medicare benefits and significantly reduce fraud, abuse, and inefficiencies in the program, which could extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund beyond 2022.  Let me emphasize that none of these changes would reduce the guaranteed benefits that seniors are entitled to under the Medicare program.

Finally, the bill requires that Members of Congress and their staffs buy their insurance on the same exchange that will be available to those who don’t get insurance from their employer.  In other words, Members of Congress will be required to be part of the new insurance exchange that we are creating.

I am opposed to any special deals in this bill for particular states.  This earmarking process is an ingrained culture in Washington, where every year members go into back rooms and negotiate special deals for their states.  This is a problem on both sides of the aisle and I find it hypocritical that some of the same Senators who are criticizing the earmarks in the health care bill were in line for special deals for their states in the annual spending bills passed just a few weeks ago.  I’m proud that I am one of the few Senators of either party that refuses to participate in this flawed earmarking process.  I’m hopeful that some of these special earmarks will be removed from the bill before our final vote.

This bill is not perfect, but in the end, I supported this legislation because it will reduce the federal deficit and contain health care costs.  With one out of every six dollars in our economy going toward health care in the United States, it is imperative that our government work to rein in the soaring cost of health care.  The bill will not only reduce the cost of insurance for families but also decrease the national deficit in the long term.  In fact, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill would reduce the federal deficit by $130 billion over the next decade, followed by another $650 billion cut in the deficit in its second decade.

Health care reform holds the promise of lowering government budget deficits, curbing unsustainable health care costs, and expanding access to health coverage.  As the health care debate continues, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find meaningful solutions to these difficult and complex problems.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance to you on this or any other issue.

Sincerely,

Claire McCaskill
United States Senator

P.S. If you would like more information about resources that can help Missourians, or what I am doing in the Senate on your behalf, please sign up for my email newsletter at www.mccaskill.senate.gov.

Kansas City Town Hall

Senator McCaskill’s recent tweets are in bold italic print and are in date order. My response follows each tweet.

Clairecmc = I said we must pay for it. Current multimillion $ (even a billion for the biggst) health ins execs say all private not working. Saturday July 18, 20:09

Let’s see… you voted Yes for the 700 Billion TARP and I am pleased to report you were able to save Goldman Sachs and they have a whopping $3.4 billion quarterly profits, and average bonuses on track to hit a record $700,000. Plus you were not able to save two of their biggest competitors!! TARP really worked for them.

You also voted Yes for $787 Billion Stimulus that has stimulated only friends of Congress. You said approximately 90 days ago, things were better. Obama said unemployment would never exceed 8% if we passed the stimulus in nanoseconds. Oops!!

Now you want to spend 1-3 Trillion on Health Care.

Plus, who are these people; “health ins execs say all private not working” I find that hard to believe and would like to see some proof of that. We know that MAYO DOES NOT agree with the plan.

Clairecmc = No one benefits from delay in health care reform. We need to get it done, and get it done right. Sunday, July 19 8:01

Yes anything that we slam dunk has much better results. Just like TARP and Stimulus. Of course, you thought those should be done asap too.

Clairecmc = Big mistake, tweetng when dead tired,one more time spelled right….I support public option,as long as private can compete. Now sleep. Monday, July 20, 23:11

“As long as private can compete.” Economics 101, private industry CANNOT compete with Government. But to make it easier for you to understand lets walk through a little analogy. Follow along now.

1. Sen. McCaskill’s husband makes millions in the Nursing home business.

2. Assume, he charges an average of $4,000 per month per person.

3. Charging $4,000 gives Sen McCaskill and her husband a tidy profit.

4. NOW Government is opening Nursing homes and government will charge an average of $2,500 per month per person.  (Remember, Government is not concerned with profit, only with fairness. If they run low on funds they will print money and raise taxes.)

5. People now have a choice between the public nursing home costing $2,500 per month and your husbands private nursing home costing $4,000 per month.

5. Government has also made a rule that once you leave your private nursing home, for any reason, you may not go back to a private home, you must go to a government home.

6. So over time there won’t be anyone in the private nursing home. But that will not happen immediately.

7. So now there are options.  How will you and your husband compete with government? Can private compete?

Clairecmc = Public OPTION.Think about what option means,that folks have choice btwn a public plan and option of privte plan.Lower costs, choices good. Tuesday, July 21 11:19

NOT AN OPTION. Sen McCaskill making statements like the above shows that you have not read the bill; don’t understand the bill; or are you intentionally deceiving the public.

IBD has studied and confirmed with the US House Ways and Means Committee: “On Page 16, the language indicated to us that once the bill became law, insurers would no longer be permitted to sell new private individual coverage”.

Please review this link:

http://ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=333066661999894

Clairecmc = I’m gonna faint. Commerce Com mark up, Ds and Rs working together. FAA reauthorization.Wish we could do this on everything.What does public. Tuesday, July 21, 14:02

Sending these condescending tweets is very unprofessional. Sen McCaskill, you are a bought and paid for Democrat. Stop with the snarky comments regarding Republicans.

Going back through your votes will show you vote ‘against’ the Democrats only when you are covered. The American people saw your recent No vote on a bill that would have passed with or without your vote. Then we had to watch you on TV breaking your arm congratulating yourself.

Big question that no one will answer:  Why is Congress excluded from this bill?  Good for us but not for you?

Please point me to the section of the United States Constitution that makes health care a right and a responsibility of Congress.

That says it all.

Yes We Can!!

What A Great Country!

The Old

I am serious

Faces of America II

I mean business

The retired...

I will not grab my ankles!!

Faces of America

A young patriot

America

The Young

The Ticked

President Ronald Reagan announced his choice of Robert Bork for the Supreme Court on July 1, 1987.  Approximately 45 minutes later,  Teddy Kennedy delivered this tirade on the floor of the Senate.

“Robert Bork’s America is a land in which women would be forced into back alley abortions,blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens’ doors inmidnight raids, schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists would becensored at the whim of government, and the doors of the federal courts would be shut on thefingers of millions of citizens for whom the judiciary is often the only protector of the individualrights that are the heart of our democracy. … President Reagan is still our President. But he should not be able to reach out from the muck of Irangate, reach into the muck of Watergate, and impose his reactionary vision of the Constitution on the Supreme Court and on the next generation of Americans. No justice would be better than this injustice.”

The Democrats were criminal in their treatment of Bork.  His nomination was rejected by the Senate, thanks to Teddy Kennedy, Joe Biden and Television ads.

Yet today, “President Obama warned against “attempting to draw old battle lines and playing the usual political games” during the consideration of his nominee to the Supreme Court, urging Congress to begin considering the nomination without delay”(Washington Post Sat May 30, 2009)

Email Below:

Friend –

We knew healthcare reform would face fierce opposition — and it’s begun. As we speak, the same people behind the notorious “swiftboat” ads of 2004 are already pumping millions of dollars into deceptive television ads. Their plan is simple: torpedo healthcare reform before it sees the light of day by scaring the public and distorting the President’s approach.

We need the resources to take them head on with an urgent, grassroots campaign to pass real healthcare reform in 2009.

When the swiftboaters flood the airwaves with distortions, we’ll flood the streets with volunteers armed with facts. When they send lobbyists to tell Congress to back down, we’ll send millions of calls, letters, and stories from real Americans asking them to stand up.

(Donation Box here!!)
The swiftboaters are once again trying to sell the American people short. As during the election, we deserve a serious conversation — not fear-mongering and deceit. You and I see the importance of healthcare reform every day. We can’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to face one of America’s greatest challenges head on.

Passing real healthcare reform will be the toughest, most important challenge we’ve faced together since electing Barack Obama President.

But it’s also a big reason we fought so hard to get here. I know that by working together, and speaking with one, determined voice, we can prevail over the cynics and defenders of the status quo. America’s families are counting on us to do just that.

Donate $5 or more to defend healthcare reform today:

(Another place asking for a donation)

Thank you,

David Plouffe

News from

Senator Claire McCaskill

For Immediate Release

May 14, 2009                                          

McCaskill: Stimulus Can Help You Save Money on Utilities

Economic recovery package includes tax credits for making homes more energy efficient

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With summer just around the corner, Missourians across the state are cutting back and looking for ways to save money on energy costs. U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill wants people to know about a tax credit included in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act that will save home-owners up to $1500 as they make their homes more energy efficient.

“Amid hard economic times, home improvement projects often fall by the wayside,” McCaskill said. “This measure will help families pay for improvements, create jobs, and by making homes more energy efficient, will help Missourians save on heating and cooling bills in the long-run.” [FYI Claire…during hard economic times, I don’t have $6,000.00 for home improvements. Why not just send me the $1,500.00.]

Tax Credit Details:

• Taxpayers can receive a credit for 30 percent of the cost of home improvements, up to $1500, to increase energy efficiency installed in 2009 and 2010.

Ø The credit can be used toward adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows, energy-efficient air conditioning systems, building insulation, energy-efficient doors and skylights, natural gas, propane or oil water heaters.

• Taxpayers can receive a 30 percent credit with no cap for investments in solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and small wind turbines.

• To qualify, home improvement products must meet energy efficiency standards laid out by the Internal Revenue Service. For a complete breakdown of qualifications, click here.