Jon L. Christensen: “back home, the crustiest old farmers, who are not as conservationist as our generation, deal with endangered predators…”

“back home, the crustiest old farmers, who are not as conservationist as our generation, deal with endangered predators the way liberals have dealt with Medicare. Their expression for the easy way out is this: ``Shoot, shovel, and shut up.'' In the same way, Washington liberals--who tried to dismantle the health care system one short year ago--today are trying to bury the Medicare crisis for political reasons. Here is the drill: First of all, they shoot. On the air and on the floor, liberals attack those working to salvage Medicare, claiming the effort will require terrible, draconian measures. Second, they shovel. My colleagues know what I mean. Liberals float numbers with no basis. They spread misinformation and use scare tactics with the flimsiest of evidence. Third, they shut up. They refuse to discuss the fact that Medicare is going broke. The White House strategy of ``Shoot, shovel and shut up'' is backfiring as people who know Medicare is going broke see the plan to save it as responsible and sound. Maybe that is why liberals are an endangered species around here.”