Letter: Bullying tactics were shameful in Medicare debate

Tuesday, March 2, 2004 | 9:26 a.m.

Nationally known columnist Robert Novak has published details about illegal White House pressures exerted on congressmen in order to get them to vote for the recently approved Medicare legislation. Novak reported that Republican leaders told Rep. Nick Smith, R-Mich., who is already planning to retire, that $100,000 would be made available for his son's plan to run for the seat if he would vote yes on the measure. When Smith refused to back the enormously expensive bill, the Republicans assured him that his son would not be elected.

Other Republicans planning to vote against the bill, wrote Novak, were informed that they "were endangering their political futures." Rep. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., was informed he would not receive funding for his planned Senate race. Party leaders threatened Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., with a primary challenger in 2004. Other votes for the Medicare bill were bought by additions to it that had nothing to do with medical matters but had plenty to do with benefits for local areas.

This type of political pressure can be expected when government has become so large and so removed from the people. It is more characteristic of dictatorship than of a constitutionally limited government. But don't expect Democrats in Congress to do anything about it; they perform similarly whenever they get the chance to do so. America needs better leaders in Congress and the White House.

CHARLES A. DELZOTTI