Last night's debate followed a trend we've seen in previous debates. Claire provided direct answers to tough questions while Jim Talent skirted the issues and resorted to negative personal attacks on Claire and her family.
Following a career of voting 94% of the time with President Bush, Jim Talent has taken a cue from the national Republican Party by waging an increasingly negative campaign. Talent's performances in the debates showed what's wrong with Washington today- the Republicans and Jim Talent are more concerned with partisanship and maintaining power than doing what's right and solving problems.
Claire made a convincing argument for change in the last 5 debates. She showed how she would be a strong voice for Missouri in the mold of Harry Truman by asking the tough questions of the Bush administration on the war in Iraq and standing up for Missouri families by calling for healthcare and energy policies that work for them, not the big special interests.
Claire will be a Senator on the side of Missouri. I hope you'll join me in electing a Senator who will fight for us.
It seems to me that Claire has a very sound energy plan, but we need to elevate the level of discussion around this issue. Our country's energy problems are the root of so many other concerns, like health, environment, and national security. I want to urge Claire to be outspoken and assertive on this issue and sign on to MOPIRG's New Energy Future platform and commit to moving our nation away from its dependence on fossil fuels and toward a cleaner, more secure energy future.
Concerned Citize— 01:16 PM Oct 23, 2006
Senator Talent cut Medicaid which led to my uncle who has severe Downe's Syndrome to lose some of his coverage. My mother (since it is her brother) houses and takes care of him because she doesn't want him in a home (thanks to Mr. Blunt). Senator Talent's cuts in Medicaid is costing my mother $500 more out of pocket per month to care for my uncle. Also, the cuts were directed at those individuals where the families took care of them, not the ones in the group homes.
Thanks a lot Senator Talent.
GO CLAIRE MCCASKILL!!!!!!
Medicare beneficiary Talent's Demise
hgovernick— 11:17 AM Oct 20, 2006
If only these debates were structered so that ordinary citizens could give testimonies at the end of the debate.
I would like Jim Talent to know, from my personal experience, the results of his handling of the Medicare issue.
I've been disabled since 1998. Eight months ago, I began losing sensation in both hands and both feet, and muscular coordination began deteriorating until simple tasks like writing, fastening buttons, unzipping zippers and walking became extremely difficult.
Referred by my Primary Care Physician to a neurosurgeon, MRIs of my cervical and lumbar regions revealed severe spinal stenosis in both areas, as well as spondylolisthesis in the lumbar region, and bulging disks in both areas.
The surgeon prescribed open surgery on both cervical and lumbar areas, which would include insertion of "hardware" (screws, metal plates, etc.) and fusion. Having gone through a cervical fusion in 1982, which created problems for the rest of my life, I wanted a second opinion.
After investigating minimally invasive alternatives, I asked my Primary Care Physician to refer me to any one of four doctors I found through research who do the procedure with micro-surgery. My doctor explained that his hands were tied because of the regulations of the Medicare supplemental plan under which I was enrolled. He recommended I change plans.
When attempting to change plans, I discovered, under new rules, I could not change plans until November 15. I called my HMO, United Health Care (Medicare Complete), and requested an exception. Exception denied under the new rules.
I then called Medicare in Washington, D.C., explained my situation, and asked for an exception to be allowed to switch to a plan that allows me to choose my own doctor. The Medicare rep denied my request for an exception, and said I would have to wait until November 15.
I asked her this simple question: "Would it make any difference if by November 15 I'm paralyzed?" She replied, "One moment, sir, let me speak with a supervisor."
After a 30-second wait, she returned to the line and said, "No, sir. I'm sorry. Good luck."
I now have two choices: 1) Accepting surgery that will more than likely require additional corrective surgery every few years, or 2) pay out-of-pocket to see a doctor of my choice. I've opted for 2.
Because of the new rules, supported by Talent, I've lost permanently a percentage of feeling in my hands and feet, which are constantly numb and tingling. I've been told that the damage to the spine is not reversable, and any operation will only prevent further damage.
It took me a long time to type this, although before this condition my typing speed was 70 words per minute.
I'm generally a loving person. It's with great sorrow that I have to say that I hate Jim Talent, and others like him, who have forced the Medical profession to become pawns of corporate profit, rather than healers.
If only ordinary citizens could give testimony.
Change overdue
fjonas— 10:24 AM Oct 20, 2006
A ring endorsement from the Columbia newspaper. Another powerful performance by Claire in last nights debate. I find it refreshing watching McCaskill smile and looking right in to the camera when she responds to answers. Like the editor of the Columbia paper I am weary of all the negativity in this campaign. I hope for a great turnout in support of McCaskill on November 7. I, like most residents of Missouri are ready and willing to accept change. Claire poses the best chioce to effect that change in Washington.
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CLEAN ENERGY
maya — 11:32 AM Oct 27, 2006
It seems to me that Claire has a very sound energy plan, but we need to elevate the level of discussion around this issue. Our country's energy problems are the root of so many other concerns, like health, environment, and national security. I want to urge Claire to be outspoken and assertive on this issue and sign on to MOPIRG's New Energy Future platform and commit to moving our nation away from its dependence on fossil fuels and toward a cleaner, more secure energy future.Concerned Citize — 01:16 PM Oct 23, 2006
Senator Talent cut Medicaid which led to my uncle who has severe Downe's Syndrome to lose some of his coverage. My mother (since it is her brother) houses and takes care of him because she doesn't want him in a home (thanks to Mr. Blunt). Senator Talent's cuts in Medicaid is costing my mother $500 more out of pocket per month to care for my uncle. Also, the cuts were directed at those individuals where the families took care of them, not the ones in the group homes.Thanks a lot Senator Talent.
GO CLAIRE MCCASKILL!!!!!!
Medicare beneficiary Talent's Demise
hgovernick — 11:17 AM Oct 20, 2006
If only these debates were structered so that ordinary citizens could give testimonies at the end of the debate.I would like Jim Talent to know, from my personal experience, the results of his handling of the Medicare issue.
I've been disabled since 1998. Eight months ago, I began losing sensation in both hands and both feet, and muscular coordination began deteriorating until simple tasks like writing, fastening buttons, unzipping zippers and walking became extremely difficult.
Referred by my Primary Care Physician to a neurosurgeon, MRIs of my cervical and lumbar regions revealed severe spinal stenosis in both areas, as well as spondylolisthesis in the lumbar region, and bulging disks in both areas.
The surgeon prescribed open surgery on both cervical and lumbar areas, which would include insertion of "hardware" (screws, metal plates, etc.) and fusion. Having gone through a cervical fusion in 1982, which created problems for the rest of my life, I wanted a second opinion.
After investigating minimally invasive alternatives, I asked my Primary Care Physician to refer me to any one of four doctors I found through research who do the procedure with micro-surgery. My doctor explained that his hands were tied because of the regulations of the Medicare supplemental plan under which I was enrolled. He recommended I change plans.
When attempting to change plans, I discovered, under new rules, I could not change plans until November 15. I called my HMO, United Health Care (Medicare Complete), and requested an exception. Exception denied under the new rules.
I then called Medicare in Washington, D.C., explained my situation, and asked for an exception to be allowed to switch to a plan that allows me to choose my own doctor. The Medicare rep denied my request for an exception, and said I would have to wait until November 15.
I asked her this simple question: "Would it make any difference if by November 15 I'm paralyzed?" She replied, "One moment, sir, let me speak with a supervisor."
After a 30-second wait, she returned to the line and said, "No, sir. I'm sorry. Good luck."
I now have two choices: 1) Accepting surgery that will more than likely require additional corrective surgery every few years, or 2) pay out-of-pocket to see a doctor of my choice. I've opted for 2.
Because of the new rules, supported by Talent, I've lost permanently a percentage of feeling in my hands and feet, which are constantly numb and tingling. I've been told that the damage to the spine is not reversable, and any operation will only prevent further damage.
It took me a long time to type this, although before this condition my typing speed was 70 words per minute.
I'm generally a loving person. It's with great sorrow that I have to say that I hate Jim Talent, and others like him, who have forced the Medical profession to become pawns of corporate profit, rather than healers.
If only ordinary citizens could give testimony.
Change overdue
fjonas — 10:24 AM Oct 20, 2006
A ring endorsement from the Columbia newspaper. Another powerful performance by Claire in last nights debate. I find it refreshing watching McCaskill smile and looking right in to the camera when she responds to answers. Like the editor of the Columbia paper I am weary of all the negativity in this campaign. I hope for a great turnout in support of McCaskill on November 7. I, like most residents of Missouri are ready and willing to accept change. Claire poses the best chioce to effect that change in Washington.