Two weeks after President Obama signed the health care reform bill into law, more components of the plan are coming to light. What additional demands is the federal government putting on states to provide coverage to more people, and how much will it cost? Why are many people calling up doctors and insurers to demand free health care? And how will health care supporters defend the provision giving taxpayer-funded erectile dysfunction medication to convicted sex offenders – especially when the Senate had the chance to remove the language? We ask all these questions to Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute.
Karzai Incompetence = Shaky Future
The U.S. military is defeating our enemies in Afghanistan and will keep defeating them. But what will happen when we hand over a secure Afghanistan to the Karzai government? What’s the best way to prepare for a successful future in Afghanistan? Should Obama disinvite Karzai to Washington over recent comments about joining the Taliban? And why is the Obama administration once again banning certain terminology in the war against radical Islamists.
A Time to Betray
Iranian Revolutionary Guard member Reza Kahlili was appalled by what he saw from the radical Muslim leadership in his nation nearly 30 years ago. So he kept his job but began spying for the CIA. Over the years, Kahlili (not his real name) funneled critical intelligence to the West – only to see it largely ignored. So what can he tell us about the extremists running Iran? What brutality have they committed? What is their relationship to terrorist groups and even the Lockerbie bombing? And what does he envision if Iran fully develops nuclear weapons? Listen here for his insider analysis of this major threat.
The News
President Obama takes more steps on his mission to rid the world of nukes but critics say he weakens us and our allies while emboldening terrorists. Obama also mourns the loss of at least 25 West Virginia coal miners. House Republicans rip Democratic approach to financial reform as another example of government intrusion. And British Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls for parliamentary elections on May 6.
Nuke Plan Weakens U.S., Allies
On Tuesday, President Obama unveiled a revised nuclear policy – one focused on nuclear prevention and deterrence, vowing not to develop additional nukes and promising not to use a nuke on a non-nuclear nation. Is this tangible progress toward a nuke-free world or is Obama willingly weakening the U.S. and our allies? We ask Arizona Rep. Trent Franks, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Big Elections Before the Midterms
Both Republicans and Democrats are getting ready for critical midterm elections coming up in November. Long before American voters head to the polls, Britain will hold key parliamentary elections – exactly one month from today. What are the key issues in the campaign? How important is the U.S.-British relationship as an issue? And where would President Obama and British Conservative Party leader David Cameron find common ground? We ask Amanda Bowman, CEO of Atlantic Bridge, which was founded by a Conservative member of parliament who may be the UK’s next defense secretary.
Dems Pushing ‘Permanent Bailout’
While the health care debate continues until the midterm elections and beyond, the next big issue on the Congressional agenda is reforming the nation’s financial regulatory system – an effort designed to prevent a Wall Street meltdown like we suffered in 2008. Democrats are pushing two different versions of this reform. What is the basic approach in these bills? How are they similar and how are they different? Why would the government be taking over bailing out more firms than ever? And why would a plan supposedly designed to benefit the consumer actually hurt us badly? We ask Georgia Rep. Tom Price, who also leads the coalition of House conservatives.
The News
More trouble in the Middle East…Karzai threatens to join Taliban and accuse U.S. and partners of being occupiers, radical surging again in Pakistan, Iran defiant towards nuke-related sanctions while United Nations fails to schedule sanctions for security council debate this month. Obama takes part in two rites of Spring.
Karzai Threatens Taliban Alliance
Dr. Walid Phares of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies discusses the suggestion by Afghan President Hamid Karzai that he might align with the Taliban. Why is Karzai saying this? And what does Dr. Phares believe is behind Iran’s increasingly defiant attitude regarding its nuclear program?
The Next Confirmation Fight
Over the weekend, we learned that longtime Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens (who is almost 90 years old) plans to retire as soon as this summer. What should we make of his public desire to have President Obama name his successor? What is the legacy of Stevens on the high court? And what kind of fight can we expect over the next Obama nominee? We ask Ed Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.