[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 113 (Thursday, July 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        S.O.S.--SAVE OUR SENIORS

                                 ______


                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 1995
  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, this week we have witnessed, once again, 
the Democrats' steadfast opposition to change. Day after day, hour 
after hour, Democrats insist on playing politics as usual. I am tired 
of their obstructionist attitude, and so are the American people. When 
will they realize that America is crying out for change? Republicans 
have heard the message and are ready to act.
  The Medicare crisis paints a crystal clear picture between the party 
of obstruction and the party of action. According to President 
Clinton's Medicare trustees, in just 7 years, Medicare will be bankrupt 
and 37 million senior and disabled Americans will be left out in the 
cold.
  Are we going to wait until then, until it's too late, to do anything? 
I will not stand by and watch Medicare spend itself into bankruptcy. 
That is why I fully endorse the Republicans' statement of principles 
for strengthening Medicare for the 21st century. We must act now to 
save Medicare.
  Thankfully, the President has finally acknowledged the need for 
action over Medicare. When will the rest of the Democrats wake up to 
this reality? How much longer will they continue trying to prop up a 
rotting status quo, blissfully unaware that by their actions millions 
of Americans will suffer? The fact is, they don't know what else to do. 
They have no ideas of their own. All they offer is obstruction. Well, I 
would like to repeat to them the British Prime Minister's words last 
week to his opponents, ``put up or shut up.''


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