Earlier this week, presidential economic adviser Paul Volcker said a value-added tax may be necessary if the U.S. hopes to reduce deficits and reform entitlements. We get reaction from New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett. What is a value-added tax? Is it a good idea? Would it simplify the tax code or just pile on to our tax bill? We also get Garrett’s thoughts on the debate to reform regulation for the banks and Wall Street.
John Gizzi of Human Events discusses the biggest political events of the week. Is Obama being responsible or reckless in his nuclear policy? How will frayed relations with Hamid Karzai impact our efforts in Afghanistan? Why will Michael Steele survive the sex and spending scandal at the RNC? Why shouldn’t conservatives worry about President Obama likely picking another new Supreme Court justice this summer? And which party will be smiling after Britain’s parliamentary elections next month?
Three more controversies erupt over the new health laws – including provision spending your tax dollars on erectile dysfunction drugs for convicted sex offenders. We’ll discuss that, how states will face greater burdens than ever and how many people are thoroughly confused about when the expanded coverage kicks in and how much it will cost them. The Obama administration bans the term “Islamic radicalism” when describing the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and mulls over what to do in response to recent, alarming comments from Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
