Over the past year, I’ve met with thousands of folks across each of the 8th District’s 19 counties, and the message was clear: Washington, D.C., is not listening to Hoosiers. At every stop, seniors, small business owners, families and workers voiced their frustration over the misguided budget decisions coming out of our nation’s capital. Hoosiers are angry that during these tough economic times, Congressman Bucshon would vote twice to end the Medicare guarantee, while giving more tax cuts to multimillionaires and companies that ship our jobs overseas. They have every right to be angry, and I share the same frustrations.
We have a moral obligation to take care of our nation’s seniors, and after a lifetime of paying into Medicare, we have a responsibility to ensure that the program is preserved for current and future retirees. This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s a matter of moral imperative and sound policy. Medicare ensures that seniors have access to affordable health coverage, provides seniors with essential financial security, and eases the burden of skyrocketing health care costs.
I am equally concerned about the impact that certain aspects of President Obama’s health care law will have on the Medicare program. The new law places a tremendous amount of power in the hands of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a panel of appointed officials who will have the power to make changes to the Medicare program. Because voters will not be able to hold this board accountable, it poses a serious risk to the future of Medicare, and I believe that IPAB should be eliminated. And I absolutely oppose the provision of the law that takes $500 billion away from Medicare. This aspect of the law must be changed.
Everybody in Indiana knows that times are tough, and during tough times, you have to make sacrifices. We have to cut spending and balance the budget, but seniors and the middle-class shouldn’t always be on the losing end in Washington’s budget decisions. Programs that protect the health and financial security of our nation’s seniors should not be the first items on the chopping block.
Unfortunately, Congressman Bucshon has a different view. He wants seniors to pay over $6,000 more each year for the same health benefits and give more tax cuts to multimillionaires. This approach is absolutely irresponsible, and Congressman Bucshon must be held accountable.
What I’ve learned as I travel the district and listen to residents’ concerns is that Hoosiers simply want someone who shares their values and who has their back in the face of a broken Washington. Unfortunately, that’s not the type of representative we have right now. If Congressman Bucshon took the time to listen to his constituents, he would quickly realize that dismantling Medicare is completely out of step with the interests of the 8th District.
Hoosiers deserve better. Today, we have a congressman who has consistently stood with special interests at the expense of American seniors and the middle-class.
That’s why I’m running for Congress — to stand up for our seniors, and to make sure hard-working Hoosiers have someone fighting for them.
Dave Crooks is a small business owner, radio broadcaster, former state representative and candidate for United States Congress. Dave lives with his wife Shelley in Washington. They have three children, Mackenzie, Jared, and Jacob.
Flashpoint
FLASHPOINT: Preserving Medicare program remains a moral obligation
- Flashpoint
-
-
FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
-
FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
-
FLASHPOINT: Indiana lawmakers reinforced school safety mechanisms
Nothing is more important to me than the safety of my children. Every parent has felt that instant, apprehensive rush when their child plays too close to the street or falls down while playing soccer and it is our responsibility as parents to implement every safety mechanism we can muster to protect our kids.
-
FLASHPOINT: Lessons from the legacy media — get it right, first
Enough mistakes and maybe we’ll learn: When in doubt, leave it out.
-
FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers got steady hand in recent session
As the General Assembly began its work last November, as Speaker of the House, I pledged a renewed spirit of bipartisanship with legislators working together to solve our state’s most pressing challenges. As this year’s legislative session concludes, representatives from throughout the state — Republican and Democrat — have joined together to address those issues at the forefront of Hoosier minds: maintaining our state’s fiscal integrity, spurring job creation and expanding education opportunities for every Hoosier family.
-
FLASHPOINT: Time has arrived for overhaul of TV news
Former FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes gave an address in 1992 in which he claimed television news was too superficial and too focused on visuals.
-
FLASHPOINT: Fiscal cliff, Obamacare have already raised taxes enough
Our history is rich with stories of people who have immigrated to the United States for a chance at the American Dream. The American Dream, in its truest form, is the opportunity to achieve success by working hard and playing by the rules; to make it on your own and to say, “I earned this.”
-
FLASHPOINT: Expanding Medicaid coverage makes sense for Indiana
Since last summer’s U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act effectively gave states the option to expand Medicaid, policymakers across the country have debated if and how to extend health programs to millions of uninsured Americans.
-
FLASHPOINT: Improve public education, stop experimenting with it
In January, the four of us who serve as the Democrats on the House Education Committee outlined our hopes for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly, particularly in joining with Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz to offer common sense solutions to improve the quality of education for our children. With the halfway point of this session past us, we remain optimistic that positive steps can be taken … but that optimism is tempered by the reality that education policies are being directed by a legislative majority that has a radically different agenda.
-
Healthcare law anniversary no reason for celebration
March 23 marked three years since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, yet this is not an anniversary that deserves celebration.
-
FLASHPOINT: Defending state’s authority is attorney general’s obligation
The law of the land recognizes the authority of states to license marriage.
-
FLASHPOINT: Stability key for state’s future
Hoosiers have the unique luxury of being the fiscal envy of the nation due to the sound fiscal policies of the last eight years.
-
FLASHPOINT: House budget offers Medicaid solution for Indiana
This week, my U.S. House Budget Committee colleagues and I introduced a federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2014. Our budget is a responsible plan that stops spending money and balances in 10 years — largely through making key reforms to drivers of our debt like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
-
FLASHPOINT: Problem gambling in Indiana: A new understanding of community concern
The week of March 3 was designated as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
-
FLASHPOINT: Eastern time in Indiana defies common sense
Nobody complains more than Hoosiers about changing their clocks. And there’s a valid reason — daylight-savings time in Indiana’s Eastern Time Zone is painful.
-
Praying for civil resolution to debate over gun control
Guns are lively ammunition for passionate debate these days.
-
FLASHPOINT: It’s not too late to expand health services
This week, state leaders euthanized the biggest, boldest Hoosier jobs proposal of the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
-
FLASHPOINT: You can’t go back again — and that’s OK
Our progressive colleagues have been telling us for years that the 1950s were a horrid time.
-
FLASHPOINT: The fierce urgency of now — nation needs to protect youth
The alcohol-fueled alleged serial rape of a 16-year-old Ohio girl by two of her similarly impaired classmates — not to mention the drunken videotaped commentary of others — points yet again to the imperative that adult America renews its commitment to address as a true national community those issues that most threaten the health, safety and forward development of youth.
-
FLASHPOINT: A pastor speaks out against Sullivan’s ‘traditional prom’
I am a pastor in Sullivan, Ind., and I am outraged.
Recently, two young students applied to walk the Grand March together in the school prom in Sullivan. -
FLASHPOINT: 0wning firearms is a First Amendment exercise, too
Following the hysteria generated by gun prohibitionists in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, a nationwide rush on gun stores began as citizens bought semiautomatic modern sporting rifles, handguns and ammunition, in effect “making a political statement” about proposals to ban such firearms.
-
FLASHPOINT: Maintaining the priority
Recently a newspaper article has been written about a change in the by-laws of the Indiana High School Athletic Association which speaks directly to attempted undue influence exerted upon students below the level of grade nine and their parents.
-
FLASHPOINT: The fairness of marriage
What is the current Indiana law concerning marriage? Our state defines marriage in a singular way — between a man and a woman.
-
FLASHPOINT: We ask state legislators to abide by their oath of office
All of us relish giving unsolicited advice to our elected representatives.
-
FLASHPOINT: Mentoring is having major impact on public education
While managing local utility services, Mike Martin found a new way to energize his community, and students are starting to benefit.
-
FLASHPOINT: Common Core standards should be common sense
Years ago, when state officials and education experts came together to create new model standards for schools, they probably never expected it to be controversial.
-
FLASHPOINT: Milestone year for Rose-Hulman
The Rose-Hulman campus traditionally quiets down this time of year, yet for me I sense a renewed energy from the phenomenal year just closing.
-
FLASHPOINT: ISU’s reasoning flawed in flight school planning
ISU and the taxpayers of Indiana and Vigo County are being led down a path of deception once again.
-
FLASHPOINT: Incessant attacks on Christianity by the ACLU
It is obviously apparent that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is continuing its onslaught against religious freedom in the United States.
-
FLASHPOINT: Americans deserve more value for their tax dollars
While traveling the 8th District and listening to fellow Hoosiers during my first term in Congress, I have reached the conclusion that many constituents do not believe they are getting value for the tax dollars that come out of their paychecks and are sent to Washington, D.C.
- More Flashpoint Headlines
-
FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Raw: Tornadoes Spotted in Kansas
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Obama Exhorts Good Deeds by Morehouse Graduates
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Winning Powerball Ticket Sold in Florida
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Today in History for May 19th
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Who is $600M Powerball winner in Fla.?
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Top 5 Plays of the Day
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Twiggy, the Waterskiing Squirrel
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
