Online Chat
Internet Town Hall Meeting
April 27, 1995

[PatLeahy] OK I'm ready if anyone wants to start. The Senate is still in session but if I have to leave for a vote we will give you a head's up.

[moderator] Here wqe go. Sally do you have a question for the senator?

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[sally]

[sally] How do you view funding for NIH?

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[sally] yes, how do you view funding for NIH

[sally] Is anyone receiving me?

[PatLeahy] Much of the true research we have done in the health field has been done because of the NIH - it really is essential to our country especially as more and more hospitals find their research dollars being cut.

[moderator] sally, do you have a foloow-up?

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[moderator] We will keep moving, then. Peter, do you a question for the Senator?

[sally] yes. The major problem right now is that much of the research funds go to a few big labs. This discourages the smaller investigators and also the graduate students which they would train. Soon no new investigators will be goming through the pipeline

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[moderator] Senator Leahy is responding to Sally. Sorry I was too quick on the trigger.

[Peter] What is your view on the pending problems with Social Security in the future? As I have read, it seems by the year 2025 Social Security will be bankrupt. What are you and or the Senate planning to do to remedy this?

[PatLeahy] That is a good point and one several of us have tried to make to the other members of the Appropriation Committee. Sometimes some of the big research hospitals come in saying publically that the money should be spread around but privately lobby for the lio

[PatLeahy] lion's share

[moderator] Thanks. The Senator will answer Peter now.

[katied] I am here

[PatLeahy] Social Security. It is not as broke as some would say but unless we begin working toward better paying and more jobs in thei country we do have a problem

[Kirsten] I am here as well.

[moderator] peter, follow up?

[moderator] After Peter, we will go to Katie.

[Peter] As a soon to be college graduate, I can appreciate needing more jobs(me in particular). However, with people living longer and draining the system, how can I be assurred to receive benefits when I am elegible?

[Kirsten] This is Kirsten Chaplin-Rucquoi. Are we supposed to be asking questions of the Senator or making comments?

[moderator] Ksten -- I will call on you for a question after Senator Leahy responds to Peter and Katie.

[Kirsten] Thank you!

[PatLeahy] This format does not allow the kind of in depth answer you deserve but the Congress and the President fail in leadership if we don't assure Social Security is available when you

[or my children] reach an age of eligibilty. I don't thnink we will fail eligibilty. I don't thnink we will fail

[moderator] Katie, fire away to Senator Leahy

[katied] HOw do you propose to approach the issues of finacial aide, hot lunch programs, and the wic program

[moderator] Kirsten, if Katie isthining, why don't you go ahead.

[moderator] he will answer katie, then kirsten

[PatLeahy] Katie we won't be able to address these problems if the Majority in the House have their way . They want to cut most of these programs to provide tax breaks for those over 200grand. That is no way to make an investment in the future

[moderator] Katoie, he will follow up , giving that yours is a triple barrelled question.

[PatLeahy] The House majority even cut out 5billion from the violent crime fund to give huge tax breaks - one week befor Oklahoma!

[moderator] Kirsten, why don't you go ahead?

*** Signoff: David_H (Leaving)

[moderator] Gary, you will follow kirsten

[Gary] Thank You :)

[katied] owtoaproacthe of os,ot

[moderator] katie, that one didn't register.

[katied] big typo

[moderator] Typos are excused, or we'd all be dead.

[GeoffDuke] ,

[moderator] Gary, go ahead. we will come back to kirsetn.

[katied] big typo

[moderator] Typos are excused, or we'd all be dead.

[GeoffDuke] ,

[moderator] Gary, go ahead. we will come back to kirsetn.

[Gary] ok

[Kirsten] I am a Trinity student, what is called a non-trad student. My usband is a first year medical school student. By the time we finish school (I plan to go on to law school) we will come out with a $150,000+ debt. I am disturbed by the rhetoric on both sid

[moderator] kirsten, keep going on your question. gary will be next.

[Kirsten] sides of the issue. George Washington in his farewell address to his cabinet almost 200 years ago had a vision which seems to have been forgotten. He bade them "Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of

[moderator] we got it. senator leahy is responding.

[Kirsten] of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government give s force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.

[moderator] geoff -- hold it onesecond. we will go toyou after Gary. Sorry this has to work this way.

[Kirsten] The only way to combat this is to make sure that education is readily and easily availble to each person in the US.

[PatLeahy] Kirsten I obviously agree - my youngest son will graduate next month from UVM and my eldest son will be paying off student loans for a decade as I did

[Kirsten] With tuition bills topping $20,000, the governmetn must allocate cold hard cash. Senator, how will you personally work toward this?

[PatLeahy] I worry t5hat too many in the Congress today don't realize that our country can never compete unless we aare better educate - that is why I oppose Mr Gingrich on cutting Pell grants and Stafford loans

[moderator] Gary, go ahead.

[PatLeahy] ;;

[Gary] First I would like to thank you, Senator, for trying out this technology...

[PatLeahy] Thanks - I am still gettting used to it and I appreciate your forbearance

[moderator] chip, from gary we go geoff, then you. Yuo aren't on deck, but in the hole.

[Gary] My question: After the tragedy in Oklahoma, what do you think is a "rational" response as far as legislative actions.... I hope we don't rush into new laws that restricts individual rights and freedoms in the heat of the moment...

[moderator] The senator is responding to gary -- then we will go to geoff.

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[PatLeahy] I have been impressed that with a few exceptions people are treating this with somber reflection

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*** Signoff: rmyers (EOF From client)

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[moderator] Bryan, we will ask people to stay on line at 7:30 for you, if they want.

[Bryan] moderator that's great!

[PatLeahy] We had a hearing today for several hours and I said that I would not want a tragedy like this to cause us to turn back our Constitution - I believe we can defend our people with out ruining the greatedst democracy in history

[moderator] geoff, over to you.

[GeoffDuke] HI. I too thank you, Senator, for joining is in this forum.

[Gary] Thank You...

[GeoffDuke] I was interested in two issues. First, regarding the "right's" move to cut taxes to the over-rich. You said tht there's a lot of pressure in the congress to push that through. What can I do? And what are you doing to oppose this move?

[moderator] Geoff, the Senator will responmd to you.

[PatLeahy] I am trying to bring out in the debate that the cost is cutting out school lunches , student aid, environmental programs etc. The irony is that the average Vermonter would get only a few cents a day but would pay a lot more for services lost. It's crazy

[moderator] let's go to chip.

[chip_hart] Sen. Leahy: Could you provide an update to the status of the ridiculous Sen Exon Telephony Bill in two regards:

[GeoffDuke] DO I get to ask my second question?

[moderator] sorry geoff -- he will answer chip, and then come back to you.

[chip_hart] First, where does the bill stand (i.e., becoming law)?

*** Signoff: Bess_O (Leaving)

[chip_hart] Second, has there been any sudden change or grasp of reality on the part of Sen Exon and his ilk? Has anyone begun to recognize the effects of such legislation?

[moderator] chip, the senator is responding now.

[PatLeahy] I have talked to Sen Exon over and over to try to get him to hold off on his amendment but it is in the telecommunication bill . I will offer an amendment to change it. It would wreack havoc with the Internet even tho he doesn't seem to realize that

[moderator] chip, do you have a followe-up? This exon debate should take place in the next two weeks.

[chip_hart] Yes, I do?

[moderator] go ahead.

[chip_hart] Apart from writing you and other Sen. members, what more can I do?

[chip_hart] A bill like this will drastically effect the company I work for, possibly putting us out of business.

[PatLeahy] Get on the Internet and work with those who will petition for my position - 10s of thousands are siging petitions supporting me and that will help in the debate

[moderator] back to Geoff for his belated follow-up.

[GeoffDuke] Today is Worthy Wage Day, a day to raise awarenes about the gross inequities in salary facing child-care professionals. A pub school teacher w/ B.A. earns avg $35,00, while an early-childhood professional w/ B.S. earns $15,000 (Sun 4/16 FreePress).

[GeoffDuke] DO you have Any thoughts on this? Were you aware of the day and its significance?

[moderator] geoff, he is responding to you.

[PatLeahy] Doesn't it make you wonder where our priorities are? Our children are the most precious people to us but look how those who care for them are paid

[moderator] after geoff, I will open the floor. This means anyone who has a question should seek recognition, and I will call on you. thanks.

[moderator] the floor is open.

[Kirsten] This is Kirsten

[moderator] go ahead kirsten.

[katied] Where are the student aide cuts now? And what can we do? Katie

[GeoffDuke] It seems like another way the we as a nation devalue children, nurturing, and women (fields dominated by women workers are proportionally paid less).

[Kirsten] Senator, what more do we need to do in order to get recognition and change with the financial adi situation?

[moderator] time out for a second. Kirsten first. then we will go to katie.

[GeoffDuke] And yet the legislation you speak of seeks to wuithdraw what meager support already exists

[moderator] geoff, let us come back around to you.

[GeoffDuke] I'm still wondering if there was any awareness in the capital of the day and its significance

[GeoffDuke] AND what (as gary said) can I do beyond letter writing to oppose the majority right on this issue?

[PatLeahy] Kirsten I met a few weeks ago with students from all over Vermont and brought their petitions back to Washington and I will continue to do so. In the meantime students from all over the country should deluge Members of Congress with their feeling and the l

[PatLeahy] letters to the editor column

[moderator] senator will respond to katie's question, which tracks with what kirsten raised.

[PatLeahy] Katie and Kirsten the upcoming budget debate in the Senate will be critical to your question. don't hesitate to contact me or my office during the debate so we can keep you posted

[Peter] I'd like to ask a question regarding health insurance and medicine, if we get to that subject

[moderator] peter, go ahead.

[Peter] Senator Leahy, how do you see which side is more responsible to the upward costs of health care? Is it the insurance companies or the doctors?

[moderator] does someone want to be on deck after peter?

[sally] sally

[Bryan] How about the reporter?

[Kirsten] Kirsten is signing off. Thank you , Senator, for your time ;}!

[moderator] sally will get the floor after the Senator responds to peter, then we will go to Bryan.

*** Signoff: Kirsten (Leaving)

[katied] Thank You Senator. I am signing off. I will be in touch. Katie

[moderator] sure. it's bryan pfeiffer of the rutland herald.

[PatLeahy] Peter I can't answer that in this format and won't try. There are so many factors that go into the costs not the least is the way we handle insurance.

[moderator] peter, more is coming.

[Peter] So, is health care a dead issue in Washington, or just put on the back burner?

[PatLeahy] The cost of prescription drugs, unnecessary tests, cost shifting because of the large number of uninsured in our country unlike other industrial nations - all this adds to the costs

[moderator] peter, he will responfd to your follow up, then to sally.

[katied] This is Pam, Luke. Will you please send us a transcript? Thank you, and to Paul , too.

[PatLeahy] Newt gingrich thinks it is a dead issue - I think that is an irresponsible mistake

[moderator] sally, over to you.

[moderator] pam, we will send a transcript when we get it.

*** Signoff: katied (Leaving)

[sally] There is a lot of talk about a flat tax. Do you think one will be passed?

[moderator] we will also put a transcript on our home page tomorrow morning.

[PatLeahy] Iam going to get a report for the Congressional Research Service on it's effect on Vermont. I don't know what doing away with mortgage deductions etc might do. It is a popular concept but no one can say what the budget effect would be. I expect we will hav

[moderator] more is coming, sally.

[PatLeahy] have debate on it but no real change in the short term especially if it is a large revenue loser

[moderator] bryan, go ahead.

[moderator] chip, you are after bryan.

[Bryan] Senator, nice to see your words. Why do this forum? and what potential do you see for it in the future?

[moderator] the senator is responding.

[PatLeahy] It is just a nother way of communicating. In the morning I will be in Burlington and Randolph in person and will be all over the state during the weekend as I am many times a month. I like everything from town meetings to the internet but I still find I

[PatLeahy] get as many comments while grocery shopping back home on weekends

[moderator] bryan, please follow up.

[Bryan] I'd appreciate any feedback from the participants

[moderator] we have five minutes, left, I ask that particpants who want to taslk with bryan hold off unitl then. over to chip.

[chip_hart] Senator Leahy: I understand that you were on the committee that oversaw the baseball strike. Could you give me your impression of Bud Selig and the other owners? Be careful, my vote for you depends on it. :-)

[PatLeahy] I have also appreciated the thousands of response I have gotten country wide supporting my opposition to the Exon amendment. That would have been possible only on hte internet

[moderator] chip, the senator will give a quick follow answer to bryan, then it's out to the ballgame.

*** Signoff: GeoffDuke (Off to wkshop. Keep lines of communication open. Thanks Senator.)

[moderator] he will answer the baseball question now. For the record, the indians will win the pennant.

[sally] The cards are due

[PatLeahy] I said oon the Senate floor that Bud Selig and the owners did not give me truthful answers during our hearing and that they should lose their anti-trust exemption

[moderator] gary, you will be next.

[moderator] but, first, chip. follow up?

[chip_hart] Excellent answer. Thanks. Nice to know that SOMEONE isn't buying their claims of poverty.

[moderator] gary, go ahead.

[Gary] I hate to admit it, But at this point in the season, I must still vote for the Red Soxs! :)

[moderator] gary will be the last question.

[PatLeahy] I fly back and forth and the tiny commuter plane. I noticed the owners came in their private jets

[Peter] I disagree about blaming the owners, if they lose anti-trust, then here comes ticket prices equal to $50

[PatLeahy] I thougt all Vermonters start out the season rooting for the Red Sox

[Gary] Senator, I was just curious at how busy you or your staff have been due to e-mail... Do you get a lot of

[Gary] well, Hope springs erternal... :)

[moderator] gary will be the last question. if people want to stay on line to talk with bryan from the rutland +please do.

[PatLeahy] Over a thousand a week from across the nation - this doesn't count the thousands of names on petition

[Gary] are internet petitions considered as serious as others?

[moderator] the senator is responding.

[PatLeahy] I really appreciate talking with you this way. I'm heading back to the Senate floor for the evening s am looking forward to being home in Vermont in the morning

[maustin] good questions Gary.

[sally] Thank you Senator!

[moderator] Thank you everyone. Bryan, you are welcome to ask questions, provided you are nice to us.

[Gary] Thank you Senator

[Peter] Thank You for your time.

[Bryan] Thanks. Anyone care to comment about this meeting for my Rutland Herald story?

[moderator] bryan, you there?

[Bryan] Here I am.

[sally] I think it is a good start to using the new technologies. Obviously it is difficult at the moment, but a new takes time to work out the problems

[Peter] How can ticket prices raise salaries? These players want far more money than they are worth. $3 millio .250 hitting second baseman?

[maustin] I think that the internet is a great source for discussing politics, and I'm grateful that Senator Leahy leading the way in this type of forum.

[Bryan] Hope not :)

[Bryan] maustin my story will appear in the Rutland Herald and The Barre-Montpelier Times Argus

[Peter] So, in other words, be forced to do what the Expo's are going through. The only surviving team will be or Rich owners. Great for America's Pastime!!

*** Signoff: sally (Leaving)

[Gary] I think the biggest problem in using the Internet this way is that it takes so much time to type in quest answers....