The Obama administration is eagerly announcing a deal with several major hospital organizations that it claims will trim $155 billion in health care costs in the coming years – provided Congress approves a major health care reform plan. But how do these “savings” actually work? is this really a savings for you the taxpayer? And even if these cuts happen, is there and reason to believe the Democratic version of reform would reduce our national deficit in the years ahead? We ask Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute and one of the leading national advocates for market-based health care reform.
$787 Billion and No Results
Texas Rep. Kevin Brady says the Obama stimulus has been a failure even though the White House promised the bill would be timely, targeted and transparent. He claims the package not been timely since 90 percent of the money is still here in Washington. Brady believes the stimulus has not been targeted, since most states are just using the money to balance the books while infrastructure projects get bogged down in red tape. And the congressman says the Obama promise of complete transparency is simply not being kept. Is Brady right? Is the stimulus package a flop on every level, or are Republicans just talking down the economy? Listen and share your thoughts!
Planned Parenthood Caught Again
A new hidden video from undercover pro-life activists shows Planned Parenthood workers apparently breaking multiple laws. On the video, a clinic employee promises not to tell authorities of an alleged statutory rape. The employee also advises the girl that parental consent laws can be skirted and that Planned Parenthood is willing to bend the rules. We get the story from Lila Rose of Live Action – who participated in the undercover operation. Listen to the interview and tell us what you think! Should Planned Parenthood be prosecuted or is this much ado about nothing?
GOP Scoffs at Stimulus Optimism
Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte says stimulus was not designed to create jobs, but rather to advance the Democratic Party’s social agenda. He also fears rest of Dem agenda, namely the massive tax increases contained within the energy reform bill and a second Obama stimulus package. Listen here are tell us whether the stimulus is a sham or whether some some Democrats are right when they say Republicans are rooting against the economy.
The News
Tuesday’s headlines…Obama on Russia and Iran, energy debate heats up, Franken sworn in, Dow off.
NIH Funds Embryo Destruction
On Tuesday, new rules from the National Institutes of Health went into effect for any entity receiving federal research dollars for embryonic stem cell research. So what are the new rules? Are they ethically responsible or opening the way for the devaluing of human life? Has there been any discernible progress in embryonic stem cell research? Why does this push continue? We ask Dr. David Prentice of the Family Research Council.
Former UN Amb. John Bolton Discusses Conflicting Biden, Obama Statements on Israel and Iran
Over the weekend, Vice President Joe Biden says the U.S. has no right to dictate to Israel whether or not to use pre-emptive forced to ward off an eventual nuclear strike from Iran. Later, President Obama insisted the we are certainly not giving Israel the “green light” to attack inside Iran. So what’s behind the conflicting statements? Which is the smarter policy? Does Israel need our permission to carry out a pre-emptive mission? What should Obama be saying about this on the international stage? Will we ever get any help from the Russians on this? We get expert insight from John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
A Cold Warrior Evaluates Obama
Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Frank Gaffney says we need a strong nuclear deterrent, not only against rising nuclear powers like China, but also rogue nuclear actors like Iran and North Korea. Gaffney worries Obama’s goal of a nuke-free world will lead to some regrettable decisions, diminish our ability to keep ill-intentioned countries and organizations in check and that he will eventually abandon missile defense. Is Gaffney right or is Obama’s diplomatic path the smart way to make this world safer and more peaceful? Listen here and share your thoughts!
The Truth About Honduras
Over the past several days, the Obama administration and the mainstream media have demanded that Manuel Zelaya be reinstated as the rightful president of Honduras. They claim and report that Zelaya was the victim of an unjustified coup perpetrated by the Honduran military. But is any of that true? Was this really a coup? Is Zelaya the rightful leader of the country? Or was he deposed according to protocol because he thwarted the constitution and the courts in an illegitimate power grab? If the latter is true, why is Obama demanding Zelaya be put back in power? And why is he marching in lockstep with Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez on this issue? We get insight on this drama from Accuracy in Media editor Cliff Kincaid.
McNamara Dies; Legacy Mixed
On Monday, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara died at age 93. Known best for his running of the Pentagon during the Vietnam War, McNamara was a polarizing figure for almost 50 years. So what is the McNamara legacy? Why did presidents Kennedy and Johnson trust him so much for so long? What did McNamara do well and what were his biggest failings? How was his version of events during the war far different than his explanation years later? How should he be remembered? We ask Dr. Mark Moyar, professor at Marine Corps University and author of “Triumph Forsaken: The Vietnam War, 1954-1965”. Listen and share your thoughts.