Adam Ulbricht of Radio America looks at rising obesity rates in the United States and what they mean for the country. Obesity is the target of many programs, ranging from the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign to the NFL’s “Play 60”. New York City has even proposed a ban on large sugary drinks. Hank Cardello of the Hudson Institute, Margo Wootan of the Center for Science and the Public Interest and Scott DeFife of the National Restaurant Association help examine the issue.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says it is definitely in America’s interest to see the Assad regime collapse in Syria but he recommends no direct U.S. role at this time. Bolton says President Obama is not demonstrating that he understands the significance of the Syrian crisis and he hears Obama may be willing to agree to Iranian nukes in exchange for Iran abandoning its friends in Damascus. Amb. Bolton also scolds the Obama administration for making many concessions to Russia on missile defense and other issues but failing in every way to end Russian support of Syria and Iran. Finally, Bolton assesses the latest developments in Egypt, where he says there are no good options. He says the military and Muslim Brotherhood will likely find a way to work together and that anything close to a representative democracy won’t be a reality there anytime soon.
In the past several days, bank regulation was back in the news – particularly in the wake of JP Morgan Chase losing two billion in funds through risky bets. Proponents of more government intervention say this means the Dodd-Frank bill didn’t go far enough. Free market advocates say more tinkering from Uncle Sam is the last thing we need. American Bankers Association President Frank Keating says the government has to have a regulatory role any time taxpayer money is being used to back up bank funds. However, Keating believes the lessons from the 2008 financial crisis have been learned and that banks don’t need excessive hovering from regulators. He also explains whether he sees Dodd-Frank as a necessary response to the crisis or as a meddlesome overreaction. Keating also explains how prospective homeowners should go about preparing for the biggest financial decision of their lives and what indicators should tip you off over whether to buy a home or avoid becoming another statistic.
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Dan Foster of National Review discuss the potential GOP gains in the U.S. Senate, especially Wisconsin. They also talk about the outcomes of the elections overseas. France has decided to return to a socialist society and the Muslim Brotherhood has triumphed in Egypt. Greece, however, chose to stick with the Euro and continue with austerity. Meanwhile, President Obama has reached his one hundredth round of golf.
Adam Ulbricht of Radio America examines the debate over foreign aid the United States provides to other countries. The U.S. gives billions of taxpayer dollars to help foreign governments on a wide range of issues. However, that practice is beginning to be questioned. Russell Rumbaugh of the Stimpson Center, Ian Vasquez of the Cato Institute, Carol Adelman of the Hudson Institute and Ambassador Terry Miller of the Heritage Foundation each weigh in on the topic.
Sunday marks 40 years since burglars at the Watergate complex were discovered and arrested. The break-in triggered a chain of events that ultimately resulted in the resignation of President Richard Nixon. G. Gordon Liddy, the man in charge of the Watergate plot, gives us his unique insight into how the Watergate operation originated and why the operation really targeted the Democratic headquarters in the Watergate complex. Liddy tells us why he became famous for not talking in the wake of his arrest, why he was not at all surprised when John Dean “cracked” and why he took on the mission in the first place.
President Obama triggered a political and legal firestorm on Friday when he ordered a rule change through the Department of Homeland Security that allows young illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S. and legally obtain work permits. The policy was one the major components of the DREAM Act, which failed to clear Congress even under Democratic control. The easing of the rule is aimed at illegals who were brought to the U.S. before they turned 16 years old and are currently younger than 30. The president says it’s unfair to to punish those young people for decisions their parents made and those young adults are already contributing to society. Iowa Rep. Steve King isn’t buying any of that. The Republican lawmaker is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and says the greatest outrage in this move is Obama’s ignoring of the Constitution. King says the president can’t just create new laws through executive orders because he’s frustrated that his agenda can’t get through Congress. King adds that he’s ready to take the president to court for acting in a manner that is clearly reserved for the legislative branch. He has experience in this type of legal fight. As an Iowa state senator, King successfully sued then-Gov. Tom Vilsack over what King sees as the same type of executive branch power grab. The congressman says he isn’t concerned that what the president did may be similar to a reform plan being assembled by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio because the legislative process is where these things need to be hashed out. King says he will press the legal challenge to the president’s move regardless of what GOP leaders do.
Mitt Romney says he’s grown wealthy by helping failing companies recover and grow. But President Obama contends all that money means Romney is out of touch. So now, the Capitol Steps discover Romney embracing his riches. Guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are pleased to see Attorney General Eric Holder back down a bit in the face of a contempt charge over Fast & Furious, but they wonder how forthcoming he’s really willing to be. They also rip President Obama for a blatantly political move in easing immigration enforcement against young illegals – and doing so without approval from Congress. And they have some fun with Obama having dinner and leaving without paying the check.
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are happy to learn that MoveOn.org is doing much worse financially than just a few years ago. They also groan at new jobless and foreclosure numbers. And they rail against the latest nanny-statism of New York City – this time over milk and popcorn.
