[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 161 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H10210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         VOTE TO SAVE MEDICARE

  (Mr. GUTIERREZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, you just cannot run from the truth.
  As the Republicans try to hide that they want to take health care 
from our seniors for a tax giveaway to the wealthy, their 
justifications are becoming laughable.
  I think the silliest one is this:
  This isn't a cut in Medicare. We are only slowing the growth.
  Let me explain the Republican definition of slowing growth:
  Say I own a cruise ship, and it seats 100 passengers. It only makes 
sense that I would have 100 life preservers.
  Now, say I build a bigger boat. One that seats 150 people.
  If I say to my passengers I am only going to have 125 life 
preservers, but don't worry--that's not a cut, I'm only slowing the 
growth of life preservers--I do not think that is going to help the 25 
people who drown when my boat crashes.
  Well, my friends, Medicare is a life preserver for our seniors.
  One that protects them when they are sick, one that saves them when 
they are ill. One they have paid for and earned and deserve.
  This week, we have a chance to keep all the life preservers on board.
  Vote to save Medicare.

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