Archives for July 2011

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul rejects the Boehner debt ceiling plan as ‘fuzzy Washington math’ and says adding a balanced budget mandate presents an internal conflict with other parts of the bill.  Why does he believe the Boehner plan is fundamentally flawed when it comes to spending?  What approach does he see as reasonable while leading the government to a balanced budget in less than a decade?  How would he address the entitlement programs about to be swarmed by retired boomers?  Why is President Obama’s domestic spending freeze very misleading?  And what is Sen. Paul’s reaction to the war of words this week between the Tea Party and the GOP establishment?  We discuss it all with Sen. Rand Paul.

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The Capitol Steps take a look at one the factors behind our economic and debt-related headaches with their classic parody “Buy, Buy American Pie”.

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Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review applaud those responsible for stopping another terrorist atrocity at Ft. Hood.  We’re also disgusted by the latest GDP numbers showing a stalled economy and try to reassure everyone after the Obama White House claims the Republican debt ceiling plan would spoil Christmas.

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House Speaker John Boehner seems poised to corral the votes needed to send his debt ceiling extension plan to the Senate.  But Dean Clancy of Freedomworks says the Boehner plan is a terrible idea.  Why does he suggest House Republicans stand on “Cut, Cap, Balance” and why does he say the Boehner plan would almost certainly result in tax increases?

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House Speaker John Boehner appears to be close to rounding up the votes he needs to pass the debt ceiling extension plan that is roiling his own party.  Louisiana Rep. John Fleming voted against one of the continuing resolutions during the budget fight earlier this year, so how is he going to vote this evening?  What were the key factors in his decision?  Is he worried the committee proposed in the bill would raise taxes?  Would rejecting the Boehner plan give momentum to Harry Reid’s plan?  We ask Rep. Fleming.

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Texas Rep. Kevin Brady offers some insight into the tense standoff in Congress over the debt ceiling debate. How will he vote on Speaker Boehner’s plan? What does he think will happen to the Boehner plan in the Senate? What happens if the Senate rejects it? What is the attitude among members of the House? We discuss it all with Rep. Brady.

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As debt ceiling debates continue, Americans are waiting nervously to hear what the next step will be to control the issue. Dept held by the public passed $9 trillion dollars with $4.5 trillion dollars held by government accounts at the end of fiscal year 2010 . But how did we get here? Years of excessive spending by the government has only worsened our economic standing. What caused the downward spiral of our debt crisis? Does the government play by its own rules? Radio America’s Heather Isringhausen reports.

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Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are impressed by Speaker John Boehner’s ability to win over members of his own party to his debt ceiling debate plan, but are disappointed that there is so much disagreement in the first place. They are also surprised by the very public calls by big donors for Chris Christie and Rick Perry to throw their hat into the 2012 ring.

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House Republicans remain divided over Speaker John Boehner’s new plan to cut spending in exchange for a hike in the debt ceiling.  Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell explains why he decided to support Boehner’s plan after careful consideration, what he says to conservatives balking at the plan and why the Reid plan is a non-starter for the GOP.

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Dr. Betsy McCaughey is the former New York Lieutenant Governor and creator of the website defendyourhealthcare.com She has been a vocal contributor to the debt ceiling debate and says it’s time to make the spend-a-holics in Washington cut spending. Dr. McCaughey also points out that any cuts scheduled beyond the current Congress are meaningless. She wants to know,  “How long do each of us have to toil everyday and all year long to support government programs instead of supporting our own families?” How does she feel about the tax hike approach to the debt crisis? What four words does she give to President Obama’s plan to battle the debt ceiling crisis? Learn more about her ideas on debt and how she stands up for grandma in the health care debates in our talk with Dr. Betsy McCaughey.

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