Big oil companies selfish and hypocritical, says Sen. Schumer

At a press conference on oil companies' profits, Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) says that big oil companies have not delivered anything to anyone despite their record profits. Schumer says that big oil companies form the most selfish and more hypocritical group of companies. Schumer addes that Exxon spends more money on its chief executive officer than it does on research. (0:42)
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Disabled community deserves better

The Democratic National Committee hosted a conference call to discuss Senator John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) position on the Community Choice Act. The Community Choice act is a top priority of the disability community that would allow people with disabilities the chance to choose home-based or community care with in-home services over being forced into nursing homes or institutions. The act would increase the percentage of Medicaid that goes toward in-home care.

Marca Bristo, former Chair of the National Council on Disability, said that McCain has opposed this legislation over many years. According to Bristo, McCain has refused to listen to the disabled community and has ‘robbed them’ of the dignity of living in homes of their choosing as opposed to nursing home. Bristo continued to say that the disabled community could not afford another eight years of status quo and of failed policies. Bristo urged that the disabled community ‘can wait no more’ for change and that is ‘deserves better’ treatment.

Bob Kafka, President of the American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT), said that the Community Choice Act is a bill that almost every national disability group and aging groups has supported. Despite repeated requests to support or co-sponsor the bill, McCain has refused continuously. Kafka said that the disabled community needs health care reforms that should include reforms of long term care. Kafka emphasized the considerable force that the disabled community has in the up-coming election. According to Kafka, the disability vote could be very instrumental. Bristo agreed and said that disabled people form a tight community which pays close attention to issues that directly affect their lives. (17:28)
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Drug price disparities between the U.S. and Canada

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) says that after Ovation Pharmaceuticals acquired the rights to the drug Indocin from Merck, they quickly increased the price by more than 18 times. Klobuchar points out that eventhough it is an American company, the price they charge is 44 times higher than what they sell it for in Canada. Klobuchar says there is no real justification for the huge price disparity. (1:04)
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Lance Armstrong: We've taken our eye off the ball

Lance Armstrong, seven-winner of the Tour de France and cancer survivor, says it is time for America as society to stand up and renew its commitment to the war against cancer. At a National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship, Armstrong says that America has taken its eye off the ball. Armstrong says the American society has let the cancer situation persist in homes and hospitals and America has not focused its priorities on dealing with cancer. (0:30)
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America's position as global leader threatened, says professional golfer

Dr. Phil Mickelson, professional golfer and co-founder of Mickelson Exxon Mobil Teachers Academy, says that there has been a decline in math, science and engineering graduates. Mickelson says that in America, only 15 percent of graduates are in science and math fields as opposed to Singapore's 67 percent and China's 50 percent. Mickelson says this can threaten the U.S. as a global leader. (0:36)
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Major General Cone says Afghanistan future 'very optimistic'

Major General Robert W. Cone says that he is 'very optimistic' about the future of Afghanistan's security. Cone says he believes that Afghans serving in the army and police are patriots and committed to the defense and security of their nation. Cone says he is excited to see the new capabilities the Afghan forces are demonstrating. (0:32)
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Afghan police force needs reform, says Major General Cone

Major General Robert W. Cone of the Combined Security transition command - Afghanistan (CSTCA) says that the Afghan police are several years behind the Afghan army in terms of capabilities and trust of the Afghan people. Cone cites changes such as pay reform and rank reform to ensure greater accountability in the police force. (0:34)
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Community involvement critical says child welfare expert

Christine James-Brown, president and chief executive officer of the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), says that if the upcoming 2010 White House Conference on Children and Youth is as successful as years before, as many as 1,000 local gatherings will take place to identify problems and solutions for neglected and abused children in the foster care system. James-Brown emphasizes that a critical component of foster care is community involvement. (0:40)
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Millions of U.S. children lack access to health care, says founder of Every Child Matters

Founder of Every Child Matters Michael Petit says that millions of U.S. children lack access to health care. Petit says that the child investment gap is costing America billions of dollars in productivity and that children are lacking the opportunity to make the most of their lives. Petit notes that Americans want more investment in their children and that the government has a moral responsibility towards providing for health, education and safety of children. (0:58)
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U.S. ranks last on infant mortality and longevity

During a conference call hosted by the Every Child Matters Education Fund, Michael Petit, founder of Every Child Matters, says that within the U.S. alone, wide gaps in child well-being exist. Compared to the best states, Petit says that children from the bottom ranked states are 3 times as likely to die before their 14th birthday. Petit also notes that the U.S. ranks last among rich democracies on infant mortality and longevity depsite spending much more on health care. (0:32)
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Obama understands struggles faced by Ohio working women

Senator Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) campaign hosted a conference call to discuss how Ohio's working women stand to benefit from Obama's economic plan. According to Isaac Baker of the Obama campaign, the plan will assist around 195,000 mothers across Ohio.

U.S. Representative Betty Sutton (D-Ohio) said that Obama has laid out concrete plans on how to strengthen the economy and that he knows government policies must change to meet America's new challenges. Sutton pointed out that the economy has lost 438,000 jobs thus far after six straight months of job loss and that wages have remained stagnant for a generation. Sutton emphasized that Obama has assured economic security for middle class families, both over the long and short term. Citing Obama's offer of a short term $50 billion stimulus to jump start the economy, Sutton was optimistic that he would get the economy back on track. She said that this stimulus goes 'hand in hand' with other investments such as infrastructure and 'green jobs.'

Sutton noted that since 2000, Ohio has lost over 200,000 manufacturing jobs. She said that Obama's vision of promoting 'green jobs' would be beneficial in areas like Ohio. According to Sutton, about 95% of workers and their families would benefit from Obama's tax cuts.

State Representative Jennifer Garrison (D-Ohio) said that Obama's policies are sorely needed and will help families greatly. Garrison pointed out that Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) is not offering relief to the middle class and voted against critical funding in the rural part of Ohio. (14:50)
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Sen. Kohl says 401(k) debit card is a bad idea

At a hearing on retirement savings, Senator Herbert Kohl (D-Wisc.) says that using 401(k) debit card is a bad idea. Kohl points out that it implies it is alright to use one's retirement savings for everyday purposes. will diminish savings. In addition to being a gross distortion of plan's intended use, Kohl notes the high fees plan charged to participants and says this will reduce savings when Americans retire. (0:52)
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Sen. Smith says these are 'tough times for American families'

At a hearing on saving for retirement, Senator Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) says that these are tough times for American families. Smith says that with gas and food prices at a record high, it is difficult for families to pay for essentials. Smith attributes this to the reasons behind Americans making more hardship withdrawals from their 401(k) retirement funds.
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Foreign affairs committee barred from foreign affairs

At a hearing on Diplomatic Assurances, Senator William D. Delahunt (D-Mass.) puts legal adviser to the Secretary of State John Bellinger in his place when Bellinger supported the practice of not divulging information about diplomatic assurances to members of Congress, particularly to the House Foreign Affairs committee. (1:14)
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You know something we don't

When questioned as to why Congress members are not privy to written diplomatic assurances, John Bellinger, legal adviser to the Secretary of State, defends his commitment to his job and the work he has done. Senator Wiliam D. Delahunt (D-Mass.) is disturbed that Congress members are barred from certain information. (0:48)
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Contradicting head count

At a hearing on Diplomatic Assurances, John Bellinger, legal advisor to the Secretary of State, says only one person was returned to Egypt but Senator William D. Delahunt (D-Mass.) contradicts by saying it was 70 people. (0:43)
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Cheney and Obama cousins

Vice President Dick Cheney reveals that he is an eighth cousin of Barack Obama. Despite coming from two different Cheney lines, he adds that his family is not from West Virginia. (1:08)
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