APPLETON, Wis., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following statement was issued today by Terri McCormick:

In the rush to pass the so-called “healthcare reform bill,” U.S. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) stomped his feet and held his breath until he extracted his presents from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. One such gift exempts Nebraska from paying the $45 million increase in Medicaid imbursement costs. Nelson was the 60th Democrat to get his stocking stuffed.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091223/DC30345)

Smart parents know not to give in to spoiled children trying these shenanigans. If we gave kids everything they demanded, our family budget would be as busted as last year’s toy under the couch. You know, the one with batteries that are only made in China.

Each of us will soon pay for the Senate’s extravagant spending. In Senator Nelson’s case, his Nebraska voters will be exempted from the substantial cost increases generated by new Medicare patients mandated by this plan. Wisconsin taxpayers will foot the bill not only for the additional costs for Wisconsinites, but for Nebraskans, too.

Senator Reid is like the parents that give their screaming kids everything they ask for. Here is what the Wall Street Journal reported:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Mr. Nelson didn’t get special treatment. “I worked with every Democratic senator” to make changes to the bill,” Mr. Reid said. “Ben Nelson was just like the rest of them.”

The majority leader added, “If you read the bill … you’ll find a number of states are treated differently from other states. That’s what legislation’s all about: compromise.”

So giving a present to every one of the 60 Senate Democrats is the way that healthcare funding decisions are being handled in Washington. It is not the way that we did true healthcare reform in Wisconsin; at least not when I was in charge.

In 2002, I led the Speaker’s Taskforce for Local Government Healthcare Partnerships. We used a business model to address runaway healthcare costs to state and local government. We held a dozen hearings around the State, listening to the people as they identified the reasons for cost spikes. With the help of private-sector talent, we crafted and passed the Competitive Prescription Drug Purchasing Pool, which saved $25 million for non-represented state employees alone, in the first year. We recommended the use of Internet transparency for healthcare cost bidding, as well as a quality control system of standards where communities can view provider ratings online.

This approach put free market mechanisms in place to ensure a level playing field for health care competition. Contrast this pork-free plan with the U.S. Senate Christmas-tree bill, and you can see that government can, and must, do better.

So I have a simple solution for all sensible voters this Holiday season. Think about the permissive parents you see that give in to their spoiled children. Compare them to the incumbent politicians in your district and state. Vote out every one of them that can’t say no to more spending. In these economic hard times, that is the only way for our family budgets – and our nation — to survive.

We need to stop giving a “Tickle Me Nelson” to every U.S. Senator.

Terri McCormick is the author of the book “What Sex is a Republican?” She was a Wisconsin State Representative from 2001-2007, and Chaired the House Economic Development committee and Chaired the House subcommittee on Healthcare Cost Reform from 2002-2007. She is a Republican candidate in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District. www.themccormickstandard.com

Available Topic Expert: For information on the listed expert, click appropriate link.

Terri McCormick: http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=92667

SOURCE The McCormick Standard

Copyright (C) 2009 by Terri McCormick, M.A.
All Rights Reserved

MEET AND Greet the Author: Author, Terri McCormick to Speak at Marian University

Marian University, located in Fond du Lac Wisconsin, is a Catholic applied liberal arts institution of higher learning sponsored by the Congregation of St. Agnes. http://www.marianuniversity.edu

Terri McCormick will be discussing her book and signing copies in the Marian University Stayer Center, 45 S National Avenue, Fond du Lac on Thursday, December 10 beginning at 4:00pm.  McCormick will meet and greet with attendees in the Stayer Center Dining Room beginning at 4:00pm and will then talk briefly about the book and answer questions beginning at 4:30pm.  Book signing will take place from 5:00pm-6:00pm.  Light refreshments will be served.

McCormick’s recently released book, What Sex Is a Republican?  includes “Stories From the Front Lines of American Politics and How You Can Change the Way Things Are”.  This text offers all Americans an inspiring and personal message and a call to action for all those interested in the future of American politics.   McCormick reports from the front line of politics, stressing that our future depends on finding ‘integrity leaders’ to replace the career politicians infecting our system.  This dramatic change is needed if we are to return to the basic foundation laid by our founding fathers and forefather.

Terri McCormick is a public policy and leadership innovator. She is the President of McCormick Dawson CPG, Ltd., a marketing and public relations firm. McCormick was a State Representative to the Wisconsin State Legislature from 2000 to 2006. She is a Truman Scholar nominee for the State of Wisconsin. She currently resides in Appleton, Wisconsin.

McCormick is a graduate of the 2002 Bowhay Institute, in Legislative Leadership Development. Currently, Terri McCormick has taken doctorate level coursework in Public Policy and Administration.  McCormick further holds a Bachelor’s Degree, Magna cum Laude, Political Science and European Studies, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, having completed coursework at UW-Fond du Lac prior to transferring to UW-Oshkosh.  McCormick also earned a Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership, Highest Honors at Marian University Fond du Lac, WI and additionally, holds an Education Certificate from Lawrence University, Appleton WI as well as credentials in graduate work in political theory at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario.

For more information concerning this exciting opportunity please contact Paul Osterholm, Director of Alumni Relations, Marian University (920) 923-8119 or email p.osterholm@marianuniveristy.edu.

Terri McCormick, former state representative and author of What Sex is a Republican?, will be participating in a book signing at the Miami Book Fair International in Miami, Fla., on Nov. 14. The fair is one of the first stops in McCormick’s upcoming book tour.

What Sex is a Republican? Stories from the Front Lines of American Politics and How You Can Change the Way Things Are, released last month, takes a behind the scenes look at the American political game with one intention: to call citizens with integrity to take ownership of their government and run for office.

“The political gender has no biological or anatomical designation,” McCormick said. “It refers to a ‘political class’ that transcends Democrats, Republicans, conservatives and liberals – men and women – comprised of those who are endowed with an elite arrogance, instead of self-service, at the expense of the American people.”

McCormick has already spoken at the University of Chicago and in front of Rotary International groups. She is scheduled to speak at several universities, taxpayer associations and civic organizations in the upcoming months.

Groups interested in hearing from McCormick about her book are encouraged to visit www.mccormickstandard.com for more information about the tour. What Sex is a Republican? is available for purchase at barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com.

About Miami Book Fair International

Miami Book Fair International is the largest literary gathering in the United Sates. The 26th annual book fair, sponsored by the Florida Center for the Literary Arts, takes place from Nov. 8-15, 2009 at Miami Dade College in Miami, Fla.

The Florida Center for the Literary Arts promotes reading and writing throughout the year by presenting literary activities open to everyone in South Florida. Visit www.miamibookfair.com for more information.

About Terri McCormick and What Sex is a Republican?

Terri McCormick is a public policy and leadership innovator. She was a State Representative in Wisconsin from 2000 to 2006 and a candidate for the U.S. Congress in 2006. She wrote What Sex is a Republican?, released in 2009, based on her experiences behind the curtain in politics to encourage citizens to change the way things are.

The book is available at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com. McCormick lives in Appleton, Wisc., and is embarking on a speaking tour in the upcoming months to promote her book in the Midwestern United States. Visit www.mccormickstandard.com for more information.