Dem Health Care Plan A "Faustian Web Of Bureaucracy," Say GOP'ers

By Laura Woodhead - Talk Radio News Service

The Democratic health care plan will hurt the nation's economy as well as its health care system said House GOP leaders Wednesday. The Republicans spoke at a press conference during which they unveiled their visual representation of the Democrats' reform bill.

House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) said that the Democrats' plan would worsen the current recession by destroying jobs as well as restricting Americans' options on health care.

"What this is going to do is ration care, limit the choices that patients and doctors have and really decrease the quality of the health care system." Boehner said. "If this isn't bad enough think about the giant increase in taxes that comes as a result of this, killing more jobs in America."

The Republicans also released a chart designed to make Americans skeptical of the Democrats' plan. The chart depicted thirty one new federal programs, agencies, commissions and mandates that would be created by the Democrats' plan. Such added bureaucracy would "get in between the patient and their health care provider," argued Rep. Kevin Brady (R- Texas.).



"The American people are asking how will all this will work, and today they get the first peek at how a government take over of health care would affect them." Brady said. "Why would any patient be forced to hand over control of their health care decisions over to this Faustian web of Washington Bureaucracy?"

Boehner asserted that the economy would suffer greatly if the bill is rushed through, arguing that the American public should view the plan for at least 72 hours so that they will know what's "in store for them."

"It's clear who is paying for this plan, and it is the small business men and women" Boehner said.

"It might make for a lovely board game but it makes for horrible health care system" said Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R- Mich.). "I would hope that [the Democrats] reconsider, focus on the economy, stop the insanity and start creating jobs."

Pelosi: Congress Must Prioritize Or Risk Uncontainable Health Care Bill

By Laura Woodhead - Talk Radio News Service

Spending on the health care bill will be uncontrollable unless the House sets priorities, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said at her weekly press briefing Thursday.

"We have to establish priorities otherwise the bill is endless, so we have to contain it," she said. "I have told members as early as this morning, squeeze out what you can out of the system. Savings, savings, savings."

Contrary to opposition claims, Pelosi stressed that the bill would not be funded by new taxes on health benefits.

"This bill will be paid for," Pelosi said. "We will not be taxing health benefits on any legislation that comes from the House."

Pelosi questioned the integrity of House Minority Leader John Boehner's (R-Ohio) pledge that he would not vote for Health Care until he had read the entire bill. "Is this a pledge that is in keeping with his having read every bill he has ever voted for?"

The Speaker avoided questions concerning letters sent from Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee to the CIA director, in which the committee accused him of misleading members during a committee appearance.

"I know as much as you do," she said. "I have seen the letters and obviously [the committee members] have concern."

Pelosi did, however, respond to a question regarding a proposed resolution to honor Michael Jackson.

"I do not think it is necessary," she said. "A resolution would open up contrary views that are not necessary at this time."

Youth Have Key Role To Play In America's Future, Say Top Democrats

The younger generation has a key role to play in the fight to pass health care and climate legislation said prominent Democrats to students Wednesday. President Bill Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke at the Campus Progress National Conference, which brought together over 1,000 progressively minded students from across the United States.

President Clinton said America's youth "cannot just sit on the sidelines" of politics and must focus on the "how" when it comes to energy, health care and education policy.

"The answer can not just be more money...you have to look at the delivery system...Your life will be shaped by America's success of failure to do that," the former President said.

"These are mind numbingly difficult problems" he said, "[But] America works when we are all sort of stumbling in the right direction."

Speaker Pelosi praised student activists groups from across the country for the lobbying they have done in order to promote the Democrats' agenda. The Speaker said she was encouraged by the increase in youth mobilization and urged how imperative it is to passing new legislation.

"I have so much confidence in the future," she said.

Secretary Sebilius also spoke to the students about the importance of their participation in the health care reform debate.

"Not doing anything is not an alternative," she said.

Through the administration's proposed health care reform, "we have an opportunity to not only increase the health of America but also the wealth of the nation" said the Secretary.

Among other speakers at the conference were White House Green Jobs Special Adviser Van Jones, Daily Show Correspondent John Oliver and pop star Joel Madden.

"Do you know who inspires him [President Obama]? You," said Jones to the delighted crowd.

Military Commission Reform Will Produce A Fair And Just System Say Military Officials

By Laura Woodhead - Talk Radio News Service

A proposed reform to the manner in which foreign detainees are tried will ensure that prisoners receive treatment more in line with the U.S. judicial system, said military officials during their testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday.

"We are willing to be judged by what we are putting together today. You ought to feel very comfortable sending anybody to this commission process with these changes because we have what we believe to be a fair and just system," said Vice Admiral Bruce E MacDonald USN, Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy.

The hearing took place in response to the committee's proposed amendments to the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which have been included in the National Defense Authorization Bill for the 2010 fiscal year. The proposed changes would alter "a long list of problems" with military commissions so that they "provided basic guarantees of fairness identified by the Supreme Court", thereby eliminating the language that places the burden upon detainees to prove that 'hearsay' evidence against them is unreliable said Chairman Sen. Carl Levin (D- Mich.)

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I- Conn.) responded negatively to the proposed reform, warning that allowing detainees the right to a civilian trial would be affording them rights they simply do not deserve.

"We would be giving these terrorists greater protection in the federal courts than we given any other war criminal in our entire history...Yes it may be an act of murder that killed the people in the twin towers on 9/11, but it was [also] an act of war. The people that did that do not deserve constitutional protections of federal courts."

Sen. Graham (R - S.C) disagreed with Sen. Lieberman, saying that creating a hybrid situation that involved civilian courts and military commissions is the key, considering there is no clear end to the war on terrorism.

"That’s not being soft on terrorism, that’s applying American values to this war" he said.

Sen. John McCain (R- Ariz.) took a different view, asserting that it was not just what type of trial took place but where it was held. Sen. McCain repeatedly questioned the officials as to whether there would be a difference in the rights awarded to detainees if they were tried at Guantanamo Bay or in the continental U.S.

"I think it is important for this Committee to know when writing this legislation, if detainees would have all kinds of additional rights if tried in America as opposed to Guantanamo. I think the Committee and the American people should know that."

Chairman, Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said that this new legislation would address the "shortcomings of the existing law" in relation to tribunals.

However, he added, that the Government "will have a long way to go to restore public confidence in military commissions and the justice they produce."

Present at the hearing were Sen. Levin (D-Mich.), Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.), Sen. Lieberman (I – Conn.) , Sen. Reed (D- R.I.), Sen. Graham (R – Ga.), Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Sen. Martinez (R-Fla.), Sen. Udall (D- Colo.) and Sen. Hagan (D- N.C.)

Israel Could Launch Pre-emptive Strike Against Iran, Says Foreign Policy Expert

By Laura Woodhead - Talk Radio News

The Israeli militarily may launch preemptive military action against Iran if world leaders fail to act, said David Menashri, Director for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, during a conference call with the Israel Policy Forum.

"[The Israeli government] is unlikely to sit idly by and wait until Iran gains Nuclear capabilities," Menashri said. "This issue is too big for the shoulders of Israel"

The Director stressed that it was important for the rest of the world not to forget about Iran due to the recent decrease in opposition protest.

"Although things on the surface seem calm and quiet, something is really boiling there...while the world is fascinated by the Iranian election process, the nuclear scientists in Iran did not stop their work. The nuclear clock is ticking" he warned.

Menashri suggested that the recent level of political instability may be partially due to the spirit of change surrounding the election of U.S. President Barack Obama.

"Whenever there is a Democrat President with human rights high on his agenda in Washington there are disturbances and riots in Tehran...there is a great appeal in thinking 'Yes we can' too."

The Director added, "The combination of radical ideology on the one hand and nuclear capability and delivery systems on the other is a serious challenge to the region and beyond the region...the solution should be an American lead solution"

Menarshi argued that if Iranian leaders fell under enough pressure "they would choose the survival of the regime" over there nuclear ambitions.

"Iran is a rational country, they have proven again and again, when there was a clash between ideology and interest of the regime, interest won over ideology."

Ultimately, Menashri argued, it is impossible to predict what will happen next in Iran.

"If there is someone that tells you they know what will happen, do not believe him" he said.