Wrong For Seniors, Wrong For South Dakota

A Statement By 60 Plus Association President Jim Martin

Arlington, VA — A new video ad that Congressional candidate Stephanie Herseth is airing is beyond misleading. It is a sad reminder that political people will sometimes do anything — including lie — to sway public opinion.

Her TV ad crosses the line from legitimate discourse on an issue important to millions of seniors to pure scare tactics. I call this nonsense ‘Medi-scare.’

Employing ominous music, haunting pictures and sorrowful faces, Herseth’s TV and internet ad hopes to convey how South Dakota’s seniors will be left out in the cold by Medicare’s new prescription drug benefit. Herseth claims there is ‘less security for seniors.’ Well, on behalf of senior citizens I’m proud to represent all across America — and some 1,500 supporters in South Dakota – she’s wrong.

I worked on Capitol Hill when Medicare passed with bipartisan support in 1965. I was Chief of Staff to Florida Congressman Edward J. Gurney, a Republican who voted for it. Gurney saw the overall good in Medicare — and did the right thing, in a bi-partisan manner, for his constituents in Florida. If only candidate Herseth would do the same thing, rather than scaring senior citizens of South Dakota.

Ms. Herseth is certainly free to oppose this or any other bill that helps seniors, but to oppose helping seniors afford prescription drugs and then turn around and act like seniors will freeze to death in the bitter South Dakota winds is simply unconscionable, despicable and reprehensible.

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