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4/22/2010 | Economy, Taxes
Obama suggests value-added tax may be an option
Associated Press
President Barack Obama suggested Wednesday that a new value-added tax on Americans is still on the table, seeming to show more openness to the idea than his aides have expressed in recent days.
Before deciding what revenue options are best for dealing with the deficit and the economy, Obama said in an interview with CNBC, "I want to get a better picture of what our options are."
After Obama adviser Paul Volcker recently raised the prospect of a value-added tax, or VAT, the Senate voted 85-13 last week for a nonbinding "sense of the Senate" resolution that calls the such a tax "a massive tax increase that will cripple families on fixed income and only further push back America's economic recovery."
Recommended Guests:
Karin Agness, Founder and President, Network of enlightened Women (NeW)Barry Asmus, Senior Economist, National Center for Policy AnalysisDavid Bossie, President, Citizens UnitedDan Celia, Host, "Financial Issues Live" Radio ProgramPhil Clements, Managing Director, Center for Christian Business Ethics Today, LLC.Ward Connerly, Author/Founder and Chairman, American Civil Rights InstituteWilliam Devlin, National President, Redeem The VoteJames Edwards, Cofounder, Olive, Edwards, & Cooper, LLCJoseph Farah, CEO, Founder, WorldNetDailyJames Gelfand, Senior Manager of Health Policy, U.S. Chamber of CommerceLou Giuliano, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (r, ITT CorporationColin Hanna, Colin Hanna, President, Let Freedom RingLowman Henry, Chairman & CEO, Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc.Larry Hunter, President, The Social Security InstitutePhillip Kim, Assistant Professor of Management and Human Resour, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of BusinessJoe Murray, Columnist, The BulletinGrover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR)Chuck Stetson, Co-founder and Managing Director, PEI FundsTony Strickland, Taxpayer AdvocateJohn Weiser, Board Member, Westminster Theological Seminary , In Medias Res4/22/2010 | Freedom of Religion, Radical Islam
Activists Claim Free Speech Victory As ‘Leaving Islam’ Ads Return to Buses
CNS News
A public transit authority in Florida has reversed a decision to take down banner advertisements on buses that offer help to Muslims wanting to leave their faith. Activists are hailing the move as a victory for free speech and religious freedom.
Not only will the ten originally planned ads appear on Miami-Dade Transit buses in coming days, but an additional 20 ads will be run at no extra cost.
Recommended Guests:
Zakariah Anani, Shoebat FoundationRev. Clenard Childress, Jr., Assistant Director, Life Education and Resource NetworkLen Deo, President, New Jersey Family Policy CouncilWilliam Devlin, National President, Redeem The VoteChuck Donovan, Senior Research Fellow-DeVos Center for Religion a, The Heritage FoundationMajor Eric Egland, Author, The Troops Need You, America: Six Ways to Help...Todd Friel, Radio Host, Way of the MasterPaul "Dave" Gaubatz, Owner-Director, Wahhabi CT PublicationsRick Green, President, Torch of Freedom FoundationColin Hanna, Colin Hanna, President, Let Freedom RingDr. Janice Hollis, Bishop, Progressive Believers MinistriesBishop Harry R. Jackson, Senior Pastor, Hope Christian ChurchPeter Lillback, President, Westminster Theological SeminaryJan Markell, President, Olive Tree MinistriesAlex McFarland, President, Southern Evangelical SeminaryRyan Messmore, William E. Simon fellow in Religion and a Free Soc, The Heritage FoundationJoe Murray, Columnist, The BulletinElizabeth Racine, Founder, Moralert.comKamal Saleem, Shoebat FoundationPhyllis Schlafly, President and Founder, Eagle ForumDon Shenk, Executive Director, The TideWalid Shoebat, President, Shoebat FoundationLorianne Updike, President & Executive Director, The Constitutional Sources ProjectCharl Van Wyk, Pastor/Author, “Shooting Back–The Right & Duty of Self-Defence"David Wheaton, Author, Speaker, Radio Talk Show Host, TheChristianWorldview.com4/20/2010 | Israel
"Imposed" Mideast solution would stoke violence: Israel FM
Reuters
In a veiled warning to President Barack Obama, Israel's foreign minister said on Tuesday that any move to impose a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians would lead to greater conflict.
"Any attempt to force a solution on the parties without establishing the foundation of mutual trust will only deepen the conflict," Avigdor Lieberman told the assembled diplomatic core celebrating Israel's Independence Day.
Though he made no reference to the United States, the remark appeared to be a response to recent speculation in Washington that Obama may consider proposing a peace settlement in the absence of a negotiated deal between the Palestinians and Israel.
Recommended Guests:
William Devlin, National President, Redeem The VotePaul "Dave" Gaubatz, Owner-Director, Wahhabi CT PublicationsPeter Lillback, President, Westminster Theological SeminaryJan Markell, President, Olive Tree MinistriesWalid Shoebat, President, Shoebat FoundationWilliam Sutter, Executive Director, The Friends of Israel4/20/2010 | God and Government, Religion
Atheist Group Calls on Obama to Endorse ‘National Day of Reason' Instead of 'National Day of Prayer'
CNS News
An atheist group is calling on President Obama to ditch the National Day of Prayer and formally recognize its own “non-theist” version called “The National Day of Reason.”
Last week, a federal judge in Madison, Wis., ruled that the law designating the first Thursday in May to be the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional because, the judge said, it negatively impacts non-believers.
Recommended Guests:
Phil Clements, Managing Director, Center for Christian Business Ethics Today, LLC.Chuck Donovan, Senior Research Fellow-DeVos Center for Religion a, The Heritage FoundationWayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studie, Phoenix SeminaryDr. Janice Hollis, Bishop, Progressive Believers MinistriesPeter Lillback, President, Westminster Theological SeminaryJennifer Marshall, Director of Domestic Policy Studies, The Heritage FoundationAlex McFarland, President, Southern Evangelical SeminaryRyan Messmore, William E. Simon fellow in Religion and a Free Soc, The Heritage FoundationStuart Migdon, AuthorK. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological SeminaryVern Poythress, Westminster Theological SeminaryPhil Ryken, President-Elect , Wheaton CollegeDon Shenk, Executive Director, The TideDavid Wheaton, Author, Speaker, Radio Talk Show Host, TheChristianWorldview.com4/13/2010 | Economy
Income falls 3.2% during Obama's term
The Washington Times
Real personal income for Americans - excluding government payouts such as Social Security - has fallen by 3.2 percent since President Obama took office in January 2009, according to the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis.
For comparison, real personal income during the first 15 months in office for President George W. Bush, who inherited a milder recession from his predecessor, dropped 0.4 percent. Income excluding government payouts increased 12.7 percent during Mr. Bush's eight years in office.
Recommended Guests:
Karin Agness, Founder and President, Network of enlightened Women (NeW)Barry Asmus, Senior Economist, National Center for Policy AnalysisDavid Bossie, President, Citizens UnitedDan Celia, Host, "Financial Issues Live" Radio ProgramPhil Clements, Managing Director, Center for Christian Business Ethics Today, LLC.Ward Connerly, Author/Founder and Chairman, American Civil Rights InstituteWilliam Devlin, National President, Redeem The VoteJames Edwards, Cofounder, Olive, Edwards, & Cooper, LLCJoseph Farah, CEO, Founder, WorldNetDailyJames Gelfand, Senior Manager of Health Policy, U.S. Chamber of CommerceLou Giuliano, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (r, ITT CorporationColin Hanna, Colin Hanna, President, Let Freedom RingLowman Henry, Chairman & CEO, Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc.Larry Hunter, President, The Social Security InstitutePhillip Kim, Assistant Professor of Management and Human Resour, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of BusinessJoe Murray, Columnist, The BulletinGrover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR)Chuck Stetson, Co-founder and Managing Director, PEI FundsTony Strickland, Taxpayer AdvocateJohn Weiser, Board Member, Westminster Theological Seminary , In Medias Res4/13/2010 | Israel
Palestinian Authority and Fatah Continue Their Longtime Practice of ‘Glorifying’ Terrorists
CNS News
Israel says the international community should condemn the naming of street in Palestinian Authority-controlled Ramallah after Hamas’ most notorious bomb-maker. Both the P.A. and its dominant Fatah faction have been honoring terrorists, whatever their affiliation, for years.
“This is an outrageous glorification of terrorism by the Palestinian Authority,” Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement responding to the news that Mahmoud Abbas’ P.A. will build its future presidential compound on a Ramallah street named after Yihye Ayyash.
Recommended Guests:
William Devlin, National President, Redeem The VotePaul "Dave" Gaubatz, Owner-Director, Wahhabi CT PublicationsPeter Lillback, President, Westminster Theological SeminaryJan Markell, President, Olive Tree MinistriesWalid Shoebat, President, Shoebat FoundationWilliam Sutter, Executive Director, The Friends of Israel4/8/2010 | Economy, Taxes
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke sounds a warning on growing deficit
The Washington Post
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke warned Wednesday that Americans may have to accept higher taxes or changes in cherished entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security if the nation is to avoid staggering budget deficits that threaten to choke off economic growth.
"These choices are difficult, and it always seems easier to put them off -- until the day they cannot be put off anymore," Bernanke said in a speech. "But unless we as a nation demonstrate a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility, in the longer run we will have neither financial stability nor healthy economic growth."
Recommended Guests:
Karin Agness, Founder and President, Network of enlightened Women (NeW)Barry Asmus, Senior Economist, National Center for Policy AnalysisDavid Bossie, President, Citizens UnitedDan Celia, Host, "Financial Issues Live" Radio ProgramPhil Clements, Managing Director, Center for Christian Business Ethics Today, LLC.Ward Connerly, Author/Founder and Chairman, American Civil Rights InstituteWilliam Devlin, National President, Redeem The VoteJames Edwards, Cofounder, Olive, Edwards, & Cooper, LLCJoseph Farah, CEO, Founder, WorldNetDailyJames Gelfand, Senior Manager of Health Policy, U.S. Chamber of CommerceLou Giuliano, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (r, ITT CorporationColin Hanna, Colin Hanna, President, Let Freedom RingLowman Henry, Chairman & CEO, Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc.Larry Hunter, President, The Social Security InstitutePhillip Kim, Assistant Professor of Management and Human Resour, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of BusinessJoe Murray, Columnist, The BulletinGrover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR)Chuck Stetson, Co-founder and Managing Director, PEI FundsTony Strickland, Taxpayer AdvocateJohn Weiser, Board Member, Westminster Theological Seminary , In Medias Res4/8/2010 | Healthcare, Taxes
Rep. Wasserman Schultz Insists Health Care Law Doesn't Require Individuals to Buy Insurance
CNS News
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D.-Fla.) is insisting that the new health care law she voted for last month does not mandate that individuals buy health insurance, despite language in the law that plainly says otherwise.
At an April 5 town hall meeting in Fort Lauderdale (see video below), a constituent asked Wasserman Shultz where the Constitution authorized Congress to mandate that individuals buy health insurance. She responded that the new health care law did not require individuals to buy health insurance.
3/30/2010 | Governmental Control
Rep. Burgess: Government Can Force Us to Buy General Motors Products If Obamacare Mandate Upheld in Court
CNS News
Representative Michael Burgess (R-Texas) told CNSNews.com that if the mandate in the health care law requiring individuals to purchase health insurance or be penalized is upheld by the courts, the federal government could mandate anything, such as requiring all Americans to purchase a General Motors car.
On Capitol Hill, CNSNews.com asked Representative Burgess, “The Congressional Budget Office has said that never before in the history of the United States has the federal government mandated that any one buy a specific good or service and, of course, the bill includes the individual mandate. Is there a part of the Constitution that you think gives Congress the authority to mandate individuals to purchase health insurance?”
Recommended Guests:
Chuck Colson, Prison FellowshipTom DeLay, Former House Majority Leader, United States House of RepresentativesWilliam Devlin, National President, Redeem The VoteChuck Donovan, Senior Research Fellow-DeVos Center for Religion a, The Heritage FoundationSteve Elliott, President, Grassfire.orgJoseph Farah, CEO, Founder, WorldNetDailyJames Gelfand, Senior Manager of Health Policy, U.S. Chamber of CommerceRick Green, President, Torch of Freedom FoundationColin Hanna, Colin Hanna, President, Let Freedom RingCliff Kincaid, President, America's Survival, Inc.Jennifer Marshall, Director of Domestic Policy Studies, The Heritage FoundationGary Marx, Executive Director, Judicial Confirmation NetworkRyan Messmore, William E. Simon fellow in Religion and a Free Soc, The Heritage FoundationJoe Murray, Columnist, The BulletinGrover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR)Phyllis Schlafly, President and Founder, Eagle ForumTony Strickland, Taxpayer AdvocateLorianne Updike, President & Executive Director, The Constitutional Sources Project3/30/2010 | Economy, Governmental Control
Obama to Sign Legislation Putting Government in Charge of Student Loans
Associated Press
President Barack Obama prepared Tuesday to sign the piece of his sweeping health care overhaul that makes the government the primary lender to students and strips banks of that power.
Obama's hard-fought legislative victory packaged two of his domestic priorities. Obama already signed the bulk of the health care legislation, but a final set of tweaks provided a route for the education package, the largest rewrite of federal college assistance programs in four decades.
The legislation has a wide reach. About half of undergraduates receive federal student aid and about 8.5 million students are going to college with the help of Pell Grants.
Recommended Guests:
Karin Agness, Founder and President, Network of enlightened Women (NeW)Barry Asmus, Senior Economist, National Center for Policy AnalysisDavid Bossie, President, Citizens UnitedDan Celia, Host, "Financial Issues Live" Radio ProgramPhil Clements, Managing Director, Center for Christian Business Ethics Today, LLC.Chuck Colson, Prison FellowshipWard Connerly, Author/Founder and Chairman, American Civil Rights InstituteTom DeLay, Former House Majority Leader, United States House of RepresentativesWilliam Devlin, National President, Redeem The VoteChuck Donovan, Senior Research Fellow-DeVos Center for Religion a, The Heritage FoundationJames Edwards, Cofounder, Olive, Edwards, & Cooper, LLCSteve Elliott, President, Grassfire.orgJoseph Farah, CEO, Founder, WorldNetDailyJames Gelfand, Senior Manager of Health Policy, U.S. Chamber of CommerceLou Giuliano, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (r, ITT CorporationRick Green, President, Torch of Freedom FoundationColin Hanna, Colin Hanna, President, Let Freedom RingLowman Henry, Chairman & CEO, Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc.Larry Hunter, President, The Social Security InstitutePhillip Kim, Assistant Professor of Management and Human Resour, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of BusinessCliff Kincaid, President, America's Survival, Inc.Jennifer Marshall, Director of Domestic Policy Studies, The Heritage FoundationGary Marx, Executive Director, Judicial Confirmation NetworkRyan Messmore, William E. Simon fellow in Religion and a Free Soc, The Heritage FoundationJoe Murray, Columnist, The BulletinGrover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR)Phyllis Schlafly, President and Founder, Eagle ForumChuck Stetson, Co-founder and Managing Director, PEI FundsTony Strickland, Taxpayer AdvocateLorianne Updike, President & Executive Director, The Constitutional Sources ProjectJohn Weiser, Board Member, Westminster Theological Seminary , In Medias Res3/26/2010 | Healthcare
Companies say health care costs hard to swallow
Associated Press
The health care overhaul will cost U.S. companies billions and make them more likely to drop prescription drug coverage for retirees because of a change in how the government subsidizes those benefits.
In the first two days after the law was signed, three major companies — Deere & Co., Caterpillar Inc. and Valero Energy — said they expect to take a total hit of $265 million to account for smaller tax deductions in the future.
Figuring out what it will mean for retirees will take longer, but analysts said as many as 2 million could lose the prescription drug coverage provided by their former employers, leaving them to enroll in Medicare's program.
3/26/2010 | Abortion
Rep. Patrick Kennedy: Federal Funding of Abortion Is ‘Not a Question of Morality’
CNS News
Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), a professed Roman Catholic, told CNSNews.com Wednesday that federal funding of health plans that cover elective abortions is “not a question of morality” but “a matter of health -- public health.”
“Obviously there’s going to be some legal decisions that are going to be coming forward, I’m sure, that are going to adjudicate this,” Kennedy said at the Capitol. “But obviously, we’ve got to protect women’s health. Half of our population are women, and -- this is a matter of public health.
He added: “It’s not a question of morality or anything; it’s a matter of health -- public health. Our mothers, our sisters, our spouses, I mean, this is a simple issue. It’s not making any judgment on people. It’s just a matter of providing -- making sure that they’re safe. And there’s only one way to make sure they’re safe, and that’s making sure that it’s legal.”
Recommended Guests:
Rev. Clenard Childress, Jr., Assistant Director, Life Education and Resource NetworkSteve Curtis, LifeCommercials.comMarjorie Dannenfelser, President and Chairman of the Board, Susan B. Anthony ListLen Deo, President, New Jersey Family Policy CouncilWilliam Devlin, National President, Redeem The VoteJessica Echard, Executive Director, Eagle ForumTim G. Echols, President/Founder, TeenPactGeorgette Forney, Co-Founder, Silent No MoreDr. Janice Hollis, Bishop, Progressive Believers MinistriesBishop Harry R. Jackson, Senior Pastor, Hope Christian ChurchPeter Lillback, President, Westminster Theological SeminaryJoe Murray, Columnist, The BulletinPhyllis Schlafly, President and Founder, Eagle ForumChristopher Slattery, Founder and President, EMC Frontline Pregnancy CentersDavid Smith, Executive Director, Illinois Family InstituteDavid Wheaton, Author, Speaker, Radio Talk Show Host, TheChristianWorldview.com3/25/2010 | Healthcare, Taxes
12 Taxes in Health Care Law Violate Obama’s Pledge Not to Increase Taxes on Households Earning Less than $250,000
CNS News
As many as a dozen taxes in the new health care law violate President Barack Obama’s campaign pledge not to raise taxes on families earning less than $250,000 and on individuals earning less than $200,000.
At least seven of these taxes directly affect health consumers regardless of income, such as the individual mandate to buy insurance, the employer mandate, the tanning tax, and limits and penalties on health savings accounts. In addition, Republicans argue that the tax impact of the law should include indirect taxes, such as the annual taxes on the health care sector that will be passed on to consumers.
3/25/2010 | Healthcare, Law
Republican Lawmaker Expects Supreme Court to Decide Constitutionality of Health Care Law’s Individual Mandate
CNS News
Reps. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) and Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) told CNSNews.com that the Constitution does not give Congress the authority to require individuals to buy health insurance, as mandated by the new health care bill that was signed into law on Tuesday.
Both representatives appeared with Actor Jon Voight at a Capitol Hill Tea Party rally over the March 20 weekend.
3/23/2010 | Healthcare
Obama to Sign Health Care Bill Today as GOP Challenges Constitutionality
ABC News
President Obama will sign the historic health care bill into law this morning, but Republicans are still fighting back with promises of lawsuits and heated rhetoric, including a shot from one GOP governor who blasted what he called Obama's "nanny nation approach" to government.
Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty discusses his party's fight over bill's legality.
Republicans across the country are specifically challenging the mandate in the health care bill that requires every individual to have health insurance, charging that it is unconstitutional.
3/23/2010 | Healthcare, Taxes
IRS to Enforce Health Reform
CNS News
The Internal Revenue Service will function as the government’s chief enforcer for health care reform, should President Obama sign the bill into law as expected, monitoring both businesses and individuals to certify whether they have the insurance coverage the government requires.
In order to carry out its new monitoring and enforcement duties, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the IRS will need $10 billion in additional funds, funds which were not made available under the health reform bill.
3/16/2010 | Healthcare
Nearly One-Third of Doctors Could Leave Medicine if Health-Care Reform Bill Passes, New England Journal of Medicine Says
CNS News
Nearly one-third of all practicing physicians may leave the medical profession if President Obama signs current versions of health-care reform legislation into law, according to a survey published in the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The survey, which was conducted by the Medicus Firm, a leading physician search and consulting firm based in Atlanta and Dallas, found that a majority of physicians said health-care reform would cause the quality of American medical care to “deteriorate” and it could be the “final straw” that sends a sizeable number of doctors out of medicine.
3/10/2010 | Homosexuality
Republicans Press Defense Secretary Gates to Explain Why Air Force Excluded Conservative Leader from Prayer Event
CNS News
The current and former House Republican Whips are calling on Defense Secretary Robert Gates to explain the “written or unwritten policies” that led the Air Force to rescind its invitation to conservative leader Tony Perkins from speaking at a national prayer luncheon at Andrews Air Force Base because he disagrees with President Obama’s policy on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
In a letter to Gates dated March 4, Reps. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) told the defense secretary they were “concerned” that a “new litmus test” was being applied when the Air Force (as CNSNews.com earlier reported) changed its mind about letting Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, participate in the Feb. 25 event “because statements posted on the organization he leads are purportedly at odds with the positions of the president” -- statements condemning Obama's intention to change the military policy on homosexuality.
“This action troubles us a great deal,” the congressmen wrote, “not only in this particular case, but because of the implications for anyone who might disagree with the administration in the future.”
3/10/2010 | Israel
Vice President Biden Says Palestinians Deserve 'Viable' State
Associated Press
U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk at a dinner at the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner, Pool)
Ramallah, West Bank (AP) - Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday the Palestinians deserve a "viable" independent state with contiguous territory, seeking to reassure them of U.S. support after Israel announced plans to expand a Jewish neighborhood in disputed east Jerusalem.
The Israeli move has overshadowed Biden's visit, meant to promote a new round of U.S.-led negotiations, and drawn Palestinian accusations that Israel is not serious about peace. Israel apologized for embarrassing Biden with the timing of its announcement, but made clear it has no intention of reversing its plan.
Recommended Guests:
William Devlin, National President, Redeem The VotePaul "Dave" Gaubatz, Owner-Director, Wahhabi CT PublicationsPeter Lillback, President, Westminster Theological SeminaryJan Markell, President, Olive Tree MinistriesWalid Shoebat, President, Shoebat FoundationWilliam Sutter, Executive Director, The Friends of Israel3/8/2010 | Healthcare
Susan B. Anthony List Press Teleconference, March 5, 2010 – Ohio Polling Results
Press Call from the SBA List
Thanks for joining the call today. I'm Joy Yearout with the Susan B. Anthony List. I'll be your moderator this morning. The purpose of the teleconference is to announce the results of several polls we did on abortion and healthcare in select congressional districts in Ohio. We'll discuss the results and how they're informing the Susan B. Anthony List's effort to leverage the pro-life grassroots.
CLICK ON MARJORIE DANNENFELSER'S BIOGRAPHY TO THE RIGHT TO READ THE ENTIRE TRANSCRIPT
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