New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett says no one agrees with President Obama that the taxpayer-funded Wall Street bailout (TARP) was a success. He says Obama is also wrong to use remaining TARP funds to spend us more into debt. He also says the Democratic plan to reform regulation of the banking and investment industries will kill a million jobs.
Stimulus ‘A Political Slush Fund’
South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson is continuing his call for a full, independent audit of the stimulus plan, now that more evidence has emerged of corruption and waste. What is that evidence? What does he make of President Obama’s new ‘job creation’ agenda?
Marriage Fight Moves to Jersey
New Jersey Democrats are trying to pass a gay marriage bill before the end of the year. Once January rolls around, Republican Chris Christie will be governor and gay marriage will be off the table. Democrats are trying to fast track a bill while Democrat Jon Corzine is still governor. Will it pass? What does the vote count look like? What is the law in New Jersey now?
Tax Cuts, Not More Spending
Ohio Rep. Bob Latta says President Obama needs to shelve his health care reform plans and his massive energy tax proposals to focus instead on job creation. Latta says his constituents are ‘hanging on by their fingernails’ and more taxes and Washington spending is the last thing they need.
A Public and Private Monopoly
Health policy expert Grace-Marie Turner explains why the so-called Senate compromise on the public option is just a ruse. Why would allowing the private insurers a greater role actually be an even worse idea than what is being proposed right now? Why is all of this ‘compromise’ really just a tactic to get the full-blown public option to become law?
National Security: The Only Issue When Democrats Care About Deficits
Texas Rep. Mac Thornberry says he’s suspicious of ‘anyone who only gets fiscal religion when it comes to national security issues’. Thornberry says Obama should remove withdrawal date and troop surge should be paid for with remaining stimulus and TARP dollars.
‘A Huge Gigantic Risky Leap’
Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns says ‘tone deaf’ Democrats are ignoring overwhelming public opposition to health bill. He also fears moderate in both parties will succumb to push to get something done, but says this is not a ‘first step’ in massive health changes – but a huge gigantic risky leap. We also ask how his Nebraska colleague Ben Nelson is likely to vote.
Analyzing the Summit and the EPA
Former climatology professor Dr. Tim Ball explains why politicians at the climate summit will just kick the can down the road. He says the far more troubling news is the EPA declaring greenhouse gases dangerous.
The Erosion of A Regime
Iranian expert Alireza Jafarzadeh says the ongoing protests in Iran show increasing dissatisfaction with the repressive regime. Would more progress be made if President Obama would identify with the demonstrators? And what should we make of Iranian President Ahmadinejad saying the U.S. is deliberately trying to thwart the return of the ‘hidden imam’ – a messianic figure in Islam?
Rep. Kevin Brady: Kill the Death Tax
As House Democrats try to make the estate tax permanent, Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, the top House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee, says Congress should kill the ‘unfair death tax’ once and for all. He also says the job picture is stabilizing, but the job creation outlook is not great.