Weekly Columns
Throughout the debate over health care, the Obama administration assured Americans repeatedly that Obamacare would not interfere with their current health insurance. A little over six months after the government health care takeover became law, that false promise is already falling apart. If not for a last-minute intervention, thousands of workers were on the verge of losing their coverage due to expensive new mandates.
The House of Representatives adjourned abruptly last week, leaving essential work unfinished. In the interests of getting home to campaign for the mid-term elections, Speaker Pelosi and her party sent legislators home without even allowing a vote on tax relief.
Last week, House Republicans unveiled a new governing agenda to address America's most pressing problems. Titled "A Pledge to America," this plan contains specific policies to restore fiscal sanity and transparency to the government and encourage the private sector to create jobs.
Facing declining polls and an all but certain electoral disaster in November, President Obama recently indicated a willingness to extend the Bush tax cuts for taxpayers with income under $250,000 -- while letting massive tax increases go into effect for American small businesses. Although extending a portion of the Bush tax cuts is good news -- and, not coincidentally, good politics -- the decision to allow tax hikes on businesses demonstrates that the Obama administration has learned nothing after a year of failed economic policy.
On a recent visit to Afghanistan, I was privileged to meet with a number of Oklahomans whose service and dedication should make us all proud. It was an honor to thank them on behalf of our state for their courage and hard work. Many of them have served repeated tours of duty, sacrificing months of time with their families and the comforts of their daily lives to put themselves in harm's way to make America safer.
A car bomb explosion. Seventy-two civilians shot to death. We typically associate such tragic events with war torn countries halfway around the world. But both of these incidents occurred on the Mexican border in just the past two weeks. While the car bomb that exploded days ago in front of the offices of a television station did not cause casualties, a previous bomb in July killed three people, including a federal police officer.
Distressing new economic headlines just keep coming. Unemployment claims reached a nine-month high in early August. Existing home sales tumbled by 27 percent from June to July, representing the largest one-month drop ever recorded. Sales of new homes reached the lowest levels recorded since 1963. The stock market is down 11 percent, and new GDP numbers are dismal. The Wall Street Journal described these sobering developments as "signs that the economy is losing momentum." The Associated Press agreed, calling the housing numbers "the latest sign that the economic recovery is fading."
One year ago this month, the overwhelming public opposition to President Obama's health care agenda erupted in dozens of spirited town hall meetings across the nation. Many Oklahomans joined the debate, turning out in record numbers to protest the government health care takeover.
Budget-conscious Americans were able to breathe a sigh of relief when Congress adjourned for the August recess. With lawmakers leaving Washington to spend a few weeks back home, taxpayer dollars seemed temporarily safe from the months-long Democratic spending rampage. After the failed $787 billion stimulus and $1 trillion health care takeover, a few weeks without passage of new legislation were set to provide welcome relief from President Obama's deficit-busting spending requests.
Now that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill appears to be contained, the next great challenge is recovery. Although experts have concluded that the oil is disappearing from the water more quickly than anticipated, the spill will remain a significant threat to the environment long after the well is permanently capped. The Gulf Coast economy faces a long road to recovery, as well. Unfortunately, congressional Democrats recently passed a bill that will make rebounding even more difficult.