Herman Cain has surged to the front of the Republican presidential field and is making his 9-9-9 tax reform plan the centerpiece of his campaign. So what would be the impact of this plan? How much would this simplify and even reduce our tax bills? How worried should we be about the installation of a national sales tax? What happens if Cain cannot move to a fair tax system and the nation gets stuck in what is supposed to be a transitional tax code? We discuss that and much more with Peter Sepp, executive vice president of the National Taxpayers Union.
Three Martini Lunch 10/17/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review roll their eyes at President Obama’s latest campaign trip/jobs tour to Virginia and North Carolina, but they are glad those states look much better for Republicans next year than they did in 2008. They also rip Obama for injecting his political agenda into his Martin Luther King Memorial speech. And they have little patience for MSNBC’s Melissa Harris Perry, who suggested it is racist to mention that only 53 percent of Americans pay any federal income taxes.
The Biggest Regulation Fight Yet
House Republicans continued their efforts to repeal what they consider job-killing regulations this week. And one debate may well be the biggest regulation fight to date. Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert says a new clean air rule would essentially wipe out the coal industry, which generates the majority of the nation’s electricity. What would that mean for America’s energy consumers and American businesses? Will the Senate of President Obama go along with the repeal? We discuss it all with Rep. Gohmert, who also offers his assessment of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Free Trade and Bribes
Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert praises the House for approving three free trade agreements. But he blasts President Obama for waiting so long to submit them and Congressional Democrats for demanding Trade Agreement Assistance funds – or what Gohmert calls bribe money for union bosses to stay quiet as the trade deals were passed. Listen here for the full trade discussion with Rep. Louie Gohmert.
Heads Must Roll
House Republicans have now subpoenaed Attorney General Eric Holder to appear before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee over Operation Fast and Furious. They also want many new documents for review in trying to determine why and how the government decided to allow American guns to wind up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels – guns later used to kill several people including a U.S. Border Patrol officer. What do Republicans specifically want to know? What does Attorney General Eric Holder need to clear up regarding his previous denials in this case? And what does this say about the Obama administration’s handling of border security? We discuss it all with Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole.
Subprime Mortgage Holders
With protesters refusing to leave Wall Street even though many aren’t sure why they’re there, The Capitol Steps bring back a recent parody to remind us all about one of the biggest reasons for our economic woes. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.
Three Martini Lunch 10/14/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review applaud the House of Representatives for passing three free trade deals and an important pro-life bill this week. They also chide President Obama for dodging a press conference question by accusing the reporter of working for Mitt Romney. And they try to wrap their minds around Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s call for Obama to declare an emergency, ignore Congress and have the government hire all 15 million unemployed Americans and pay them $40,000 per year.
The Protect Life Act
Louisiana Rep. John Fleming explains why The Protect Life Act is necessary to prevent taxpayer dollars from paying for abortions. Fleming, who is also a physician, discusses how the president’s health care left the door open to taxpayer-funded abortions and how this legislation would close that door. He also reacts to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggesting women would die on the floor of their health care providers if the bill passed.
GOP Passes Hundreds of Jobs Bills
President Obama and Congressional Democrats are slamming Republicans for opposing the president’s jobs plan and for allegedly offering no alternatives of their own. But what are the facts? Are Republicans the only ones who want nothing to do with the Obama bill or are many Democrats also opposed? Why is the bill unacceptable to Republicans? What have House Republicans passed that the Democratic Senate refuses to consider? We discuss this and much more with North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx.
When Romney Is the Nominee…
John Gizzi of Human Events sizes up the rapid rise of Herman Cain in the Republican presidential race over the past few weeks, but also explains why he certain that Mitt Romney will wind up as the GOP nominee. Gizzi also sizes up the Senate rejection of the Obama jobs bill and bipartisan passage of three new trade deals.