Somebody had better explain to Allen West how many senior citizens are in his district. He represents Palm Beach and the retirement mecca Boca Raton. And he voted on Friday to end Medicare. Meanwhile, the guy who wants his seat is raising a ton of cash.
From the in-box, the DCCC previews the shape of things to come for Republicans who voted to privatize Medicare and replace it with coupons:
Allen West Votes to End Medicare
Today, Representative Allen West (FL-22) voted to end Medicare. West chose to end Medicare and ask seniors to pay more than $12,500 for health care instead of ending taxpayer giveaways for Big Oil companies making record profits or repeal tax breaks for the ultra rich.
“Representative Allen West voted to end Medicare and raise health care costs for Florida seniors,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “While Representative Allen West wouldn’t touch taxpayer subsidies for Big Oil companies and tax breaks for the ultra rich, he sold out Florida seniors by ending Medicare and leaving them with the bill.”
And the DCCC also reminds us just why Republicans want to sic the IRS on the AARP. Watch the middle para:
* NCPSSM: Plan would force Americans to foot the bill, make them vulnerable to the whims of the private marketplace. In April 2011, Max Richtman, executive vice-president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, told an audience that Ryan’s 2012 budget plan “forces millions of American seniors to help foot the bill for a budget plan that puts the needs of middle-class Americans far below preserving tax cuts for corporations and wealthy Americans. […] The Ryan plan would replace the current Medicare program with vouchers and leave seniors and the disabled – some of our most vulnerable Americans – hostage to the whims of the private marketplace,” Richtman said. [NCPSSM press release, 4/5/11]
* AARP: Budget Undermines Vital Programs for Older Americans. “Among its provisions, the proposal would drive up costs for people in Medicare, take away needed coverage for long-term care from millions of older and disabled Americans and reduce critical help for seniors facing the threat of hunger.” [AARP press release, 4/7/11]
* GOP Budget Would Almost Double Healthcare Costs For Seniors. “The Republican congressman’s proposal to privatize Medicare would mean a dramatic hike in U.S. healthcare costs for the elderly, an independent analysis finds. Seniors would pay almost double — more than $12,510 a year.” [Los Angeles Times, 4/7/11]
Just by way of reminder, here are the demographics for the 22nd District (keeping in mind this is pre-redistricting, and Republicans will likely try to draw things more favorably for Captain Mock Execute the Iraqi Policeman:
* Male: 48.8%
* Female: 51.2%
* Median age: 43.0
* 18 years and over: 81.1%
* 65 years and over: 20.8%
* Employed: 58.1%
* Median household income: $51,200
* Families below poverty level: 4.6%
* Bachelor’s degree or higher: 34.1%
Meanwhile, also from the in-box, how’s that Patrick Murphy guy doing in fundraising to send West back to right wing talk radio-land? Turns out, very well:
Patrick Murphy Raises More Money Than Any Democratic Challenger in the Nation
Dem Rising Star Shows More Cash On Hand Than Incumbent Allen West
For more information, contact Eric Johnson at 561-246-0379 or email ericjohnson19@gmail.com.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Fort Lauderdale, FL – Businessman Patrick Murphy, who filed against Allen West in Florida’s CD 22 three weeks before the end of the quarter, raised more money than any other Democratic challenger in the country, according to FEC reports filed today.
Murphy reported over $350,000 in his first 3 weeks – out-raising all other Democratic challengers in the country. In addition, the political newcomer starts the campaign with more cash on hand than incumbent Allen West. Murphy reported $304,261 in cash on hand to Rep. West’s $242,613.
“There is tremendous enthusiasm surrounding this campaign. It’s clear that voters and donors are rejecting the extremist policies of Allen West, Rick Scott, and the Tea Party in general. But even that won’t be enough – it is going to take a fresh campaign like ours with the ability to raise millions of dollars to take Allen West out of office,” stated Patrick Murphy.
Murphy’s FEC filing showed he is gaining early support from some significant Democratic and community leaders including: State Senator Jeremy Ring who represents a portion of the 22nd district in Broward County; former State Rep. Kevin Rader; former Governor Charlie Crist; former Congressman Harold Ford, Sr.; respected attorneys Jim Ferrraro and Roy Black; prominent Democratic fundraisers Stuart Cauff, Cynthia Leesfield, Ron Ansen and David Adler; and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ ElectroPAC, among others.
Murphy, a CPA and Vice President of Coastal Environmental Services, has in a short time established himself as a significant candidate, not only through fundraising but in social media. He has also amassed a growing local and national following of 4600 facebook fans.
http://blog.reidreport.com/2011/04/better-know-your-district-west-votes-to-end-m...
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