Kerrey, Hagel eye gathering storms ahead
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BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star
Together again.
Chuck Hagel and Bob Kerrey, who served together four years in the Senate, joined forces again Thursday at a University of Nebraska-Lincoln forum.
The topic was health care reform, but their sense of urgency turned afterwards to an economic tsunami and the gathering thunderclouds awaiting the next president.
That new president will need to build a consensus government and hit the ground running with a seamless transition, Kerrey said.
Retaining Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, at least for a while, to deal with the financial meltdown and the war in Iraq is “almost a necessity,” Kerrey told a news conference after the forum.
Health care reform and major initiatives required to address other growing challenges require bipartisan cooperation, he said.
Earlier, Hagel suggested the deepening economic crisis forces a reshuffling of U.S priorities because “we are in the process of bankrupting our country” with unmanageable debt.
“No more $12 billion a month in Iraq — that ain’t gonna happen,” the Republican senator said.
Hagel told the media conference he’s “very unhappy with the tone” of the presidential campaign at a time when the nation faces such challenges.
“The American people deserve better,” he said.
Kerrey, who was a Democratic senator for 12 years, said he supports Barack Obama and expects him to defeat GOP nominee John McCain on Nov. 4.
The plunging economy has given Obama momentum, Kerrey said, and it’ll be difficult for McCain to overcome his record of support for the lack of regulation that contributed to the meltdown.
Hagel repeated his intention not to endorse either his party’s nominee or Obama.
Kerrey, president of New School University in New York City, represented Nebraska in the Senate from 1989 to 2001. Hagel will step down next January after 12 years in the Senate.
During the health care discussion, Kerrey said he believes Obama’s proposals are “a lot better in the short term,” but that McCain may have some better long-term ideas to consider.
All Americans should be placed in a single pool and be eligible for subsidized health care if needed, Kerrey said.
Health care insurance “should be decoupled” from employment, he said.
Hagel called for creation of an outside commission of health care experts who could devise and recommend major reform to the Congress.
“You will not find the requisite courage and ability in Congress to break through the stranglehold” of political pressure that prevents required change, he said.
“This will require a radical, scary solution,” Hagel said, “so you’ve got to take it away from the politicians.”
Among the changes, he said, may be “a whole new regulatory scheme for insurance companies.”
Kerrey said the end result probably should be “a mixed system,” composed of segments from the private sector and public sector.
“We need a uniquely American solution,” he said.
Hagel said personal responsibility for a healthy lifestyle should be included in the mix.
Unfunded Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid obligations are a “heavy, dark cloud that hangs over this country,” Hagel said.
The next president will inherit a tougher agenda of problems than Franklin D. Roosevelt faced in 1933, he said.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
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WINNERS wrote on October 9, 2008 2:44 pm:
Hum wrote on October 9, 2008 2:58 pm:
too much. Do ya think???? The medical industry has for years has taken the Medicare and Medicad for a ride of their life. I've seen too many
doctors "create" services on bills just to get the bucks!!!! And who pays
for it? The people that most need medical care!! "
Phyllis wrote on October 9, 2008 3:02 pm:
STLNebraskan wrote on October 9, 2008 3:27 pm:
Mr. Hagel,
You said Congress can’t “find the required courage” to fix the system. Mr. Kerry, do you actually believe Obama would reach out to the other party? Let me see, the Dems are in the majority, they are the legislators, the caretakers of our tax dollars, yet they can't "fix the system" that they created! Example; Fannie and Freddie and Nancy Pelosi's first round loss on the $700B bailout. What has that done to help the ever falling stock market. Even when our President puts forth a plan, it gets shot down, because Congress can't "find the required courage"! Louis Farrakan just announced Obama is the "Messiah"! Whoa-hold on there, what is that all about? Now what is this subsidized health care notion. Lets see, Obama went to Europe to heap praises as if they have it all together (subsidies). What has happened to the EU and the Euro? Dropped like a rock. Did you know that the $700B bailout was around 4% of the US GDP? Last I checked, Germany pumped in money to their failing system to the tune of 25%GDP. Hmmm, must be that subsidy thing. Tells me our country is strong, has to reset the compass, but not with these politics and policies. "
Jeff wrote on October 9, 2008 3:45 pm:
Tom Maupin wrote on October 9, 2008 4:42 pm:
You need to get the governments hands away from borrowing from Social Security, which a Democratic President (Johnson) and the Democratic Congress agreed to do in the 60's to pay for the Vietnam Conflict, talk about getting into something they had no clue how to fight, hang that one on the Democrats.
Does anyone even beleive any of the politicians anymore? Who could ever beleive anything from Hagel, Kerrey or Nelson. "
Jason wrote on October 9, 2008 4:48 pm:
Here's the problem, Bobby...how's the government been doing with it's own medical programs like medicare and medicaid? It's a scam and now the people who aren't draining the system will be forced to support those who are, not to the tune of competition between private insurance companies, but at the ridiculous $120 per Tylenol tablet rates that doctors charge the government, ill equipped to properly manage the business. And unlike health insurance where I can opt out, I won't be able to opt out of the taxes that will be charged to pay for that debacle. From each according to his ability to each according to his need, eh comarade? "
Totally Depressed wrote on October 9, 2008 5:56 pm:
Randy wrote on October 9, 2008 6:10 pm:
As far as the execs having a $440,000 weekend at a spa, I just wish the senators a congressmen would have only cost us $440,000. They cost us millions and millions of dollars in their pork projects that nothing more than vote buying. Greed in congress is what has to stop, but we will just keep re-electing these greedy losers and expect that someday they will actually be for the people. Fat chance of that ever happening. "
herb wrote on October 9, 2008 6:32 pm:
sh wrote on October 9, 2008 8:37 pm:
Sue wrote on October 9, 2008 8:50 pm:
whatever wrote on October 9, 2008 9:13 pm:
too late wrote on October 9, 2008 9:13 pm:
Comedy or what wrote on October 9, 2008 10:48 pm:
Matt P. wrote on October 9, 2008 10:53 pm:
What are you two doing in 4 years?? "
Put your hand back in your pocket wrote on October 10, 2008 8:13 am:
"The plunging economy has given Obama momentum". What a credible way to earn the presidency. I'm sad the economy woes had to coincide with the election.
I echo what poster "Too late" said. People need to return to personal responsibility. Put your hand back in your pocket. Being an American does NOT guarantee someone else will (or should have to) pay your way. "