President Obama pushes offshore drilling as part of overall plan, Republicans wary of real reason for policy reversal, expert explains why Obama’s ‘expansion’ is really a contraction of offshore drilling and we get an Afghan war update from frequent embed reporter Bing West.
Congress vs. Business on Obamacare
Texas Rep. Michael Burgess is very critical of House Democrats, who plan to haul business executives before the Energy and Commerce Committee if they claim the new health care laws will cost them tens of millions of dollars due to the removal of certain tax exemptions. What is the real point of such hearings and what is the real impact on businesses from the legislation? Rep. Burgess also explains why he’s not overly impressed with President Obama’s plan to allow additional offshore oil and gas drilling.
Maryland Dems Protect Gansler
On Wednesday, Maryland Del. Don Dwyer introduced articles of impeachment against state attorney general Doug Gansler after Gansler unilaterally overturned the definition of marriage. Gansler also declared himself unimpeachable. So how did the Democratic majority in the legislature respond? What will happen to the impeachment effort now? How are the people of Maryland reacting to this whole debate? We ask Del. Dwyer.
Obama Restricting Drilling
On Wednesday, President Obama announced he would allow expanded offshore drilling for oil and natural gas. So how is this ‘expansion’ really a reduction in areas where exploration is allowed? What is Obama really trying to accomplish? What will be the signs that he’s really serious about offshore exploration? We ask Patrick Creighton of the Institute for Energy Research.
Troops Winning, Karzai Failing
Marine Corps veteran Bing West recently returned from yet another embed mission with American forces in Afghanistan. What has he observed first-hand about the fight? How do the troops feel about the restrictive rules of engagement? What is the greatest hindrance to long-term stability in Afghanistan? Is President Obama doing enough to demand change in the Afghan government?
The News
President Obama signs the health care ‘fixes’ bill which also nationalizes the student loan industry, Obama says banks were exploiting college students, former CBO director slams Democratic accounting gimmicks on health care, controversy erupting over another Obama recess appointee.
Drowning in Red Ink
Former Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin explains just how contrived the accounting is in the new health care law. Holtz-Eakin explains what the cost will be over the first 10 years of the program actually being in effect. He also explains how Congress is raiding money from Social Security and Medicare to help cover this new entitlement – and how money is being stolen from a another program just created by the same bill! So how much debt will we see? How will Congress try to cover the massive shortfall? And how much will premiums go up on top of everything else?
Dems Make College More Expensive
On Tuesday, President Obama signed the ‘fixes’ bill for the major health care bill he signed a week ago. Included in the legislation is a government takeover of the student loan industry. So what will be the immediate and long term impacts of this move? Why will this make college tuitions go even higher? Will this allow the government to play favorites and make more demands on colleges and universities? We ask Rich Brake of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute.
Obama’s Radical Recess Appointment
Over the weekend, President Obama issued 15 recess appointments, which allow his nominees to serve in their positions without Congressional confirmation until the end of the current Congress. One of those appointments was for Georgetown University professor Chai Feldblum to serve at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. So what makes her a radical? What will she promote? Why could employers be forced to accept workers with all sorts of troubling proclivities?
The News
Radical Muslims suspected in Moscow subway attacks, Obama rallies troops in Afghanistan, GOP cries foul on Obama recess appointments, second Obama TSA nominee withdraws, Barbara Bush hospitalized.