Archives for February 2010

Attorney General Eric Holder says bringing terrorism suspects into civilian courts was vindicated by the guilty plea and cooperation this week by Najibullah Zazi.  But Kyndra Rotunda disagrees.  She is a former U.S. Army prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay.  She says a guilty plea is not proof that a guilty verdict would have come.  She also says the Bush administration was wrong to try Zacarias Moussaoui and Richard Reid in civilian courts.  Rotunda also says the Obama administration was out of bounds in stopping the military tribunal against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed – and even removing the judge when he refused to halt the proceedings.

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Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert says it’s obvious the White House has no interest in a real bipartisan discussion on health care reform legislation, when it’s final version of the bill came out three days before Thursday’s ‘summit’.  Gohmert fears the Democrats will ignore the will of the people and ram this major expansion of government down the throats of the Republicans and the public.

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The Obama administration is proudly noting that the infamous ‘Cornhusker Kickback’ that secured passage of the health care bill in the Senate will not be in its preferred final version.  But what sweetheart deals ARE still in there?  The ‘Louisiana Purchase’ is just the tip of the iceberg.  Arizona Rep. John Shadegg explains how the backroom deals that Americans hate are alive and well in the Obama health plan.  We’ll discuss it all with Rep. Shadegg and get his reaction to Congressional liberals wanting to bring back the public option as well.

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Republicans and Democrats spar over the quality of Obama’s health care plan and debate the value of Thursday’s summit, five Republicans join with Dems on jobs bill, Defense Secretary Gates discusses civilian casualties in Afghanistan, family members of Pan Am 103 victims outraged as convicted bomber lives in luxury three months after he was supposed to be dead, Sen. Sanders and Rep. King under fire for recent comments.

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Democrats say they want Republicans to get on board with health reform.  The GOP says the Obama plan is hardly different than the Senate bill approved in December.  So is there any hope for common ground?  No, according to Lousiana Rep. Bill Cassidy.  Also a practicing physician, Cassidy says there is a fundamental divide between the parties as to whether the government or patients will control their health care.  He also discusses health care deals for labor unions and what to expect at this week’s health care summit.

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Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns explains why he believes Democrats could throw $15 billion off the top of the U.S. Capitol and have the same chance at sparking job creation.  He also offers his approach to stimulating new hires.  Sen. Johanns says President Obama could show he is genuine in reaching real bipartisan health reform by taking two key steps.  Johanns says the Obama is just the Senate plan with a higher price tag.  He also discusses the reaction in Nebraska to the “Cornhusker Kickback”.

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In addition to the higher taxes and the government mandating the type of insurance you have, President Obama’s health plan would make health care rationing necessary for patients of all ages.  Burke Balch of the National Right to Life Committee says Obama’s call for the government to impose price controls on insurance premiums means providers will have to deny treatment and the president’s plan would not allow people to buy enhanced coverage to give them a better shot at getting the care they need.

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President Obama unveils his health reform plan, GOP explains why its a nonstarter, Zazi pleads guilty to terrorism, McChrystal apologizes for airstrike killing Afghan civilians, Dole hospitalized, 30 years since the ‘Miracle on Ice’.

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President Obama says his health plan will cost a trillion dollars over the next ten years – but remain deficit neutral.  But Ryan Ellis, director of tax policy at Americans for Tax Reform, says that still breeds bigger government because of all the new taxes and spending.  He also explains why this bill could have more new taxes than either the House or Senate versions.  Ellis explains how you could get saddled with a Cadillac plan and the huge taxes that go along with it – and how this plan is very harmful to those with Health Savings Accounts.

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As President Obama unveils his health reform plan, Galen Institute President Grace-Marie Turner is considerably underwhelmed.  She wants to know how an even more expensive and more egregious government power grab is supposed to be a call to bipartisanship.  She explains why government controls on the cost of premiums would mean lower quality care and why the Democrats are missing the the most basic components of effective reform.

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