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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
August 20, 2008
/ 19 Menachem-Av 5768
McCain needs to push health care edge
By
William McKenzie
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
If John McCain's going to win the White House, he will need to win it on issues. His flinty, fighter-pilot persona certainly won't let him out-personality the charismatic Barack Obama.
Depending on whom you ask, some people who know the presumptive GOP nominee believe he has the ability to wage an issues-based campaign. It's hard to tell that from afar, however real hard at times. He's not providing an explanatory narrative about how his domestic policies would reshape America for the better.
Look at his health care plan. Normally health care is a Democratic issue, but Mr. McCain's revolutionary approach speaks more to the little guy than Mr. Obama's plan.
Mr. Obama's solution relies on expanding Medicaid and employer-based insurance. Two problems with that: Medicaid expenses already are pressuring the federal budget; spending on it is growing at about 7 percent annually. There's also real doubt that the employer-based system is the wave of the future. The percentage of companies offering health insurance is going down, not up.
Mr. McCain, by contrast, wants to separate health care from the worksite, and he would democratize the tax code to make that possible. From a middle-class perspective, this is a huge step forward.
Consider the advantage of "decoupling" health care from the worksite.
Today's "job-lock" phenomenon forces many workers, especially middle-aged ones with families, to stay in a job because that's the only way they can get health coverage. They may be bored to tears and want out, but they aren't about to leave and use their talents more productively elsewhere not with health costs being what they are.
Mr. McCain would set them free. He would give all individuals the means to buy insurance on their own.
Families would receive a $5,000 tax credit to buy insurance. (Singles would get a $2,500 credit.) Everyone would qualify for the credit, although critics suggest Mr. McCain's $5,000 credit wouldn't help them meet today's average family premium. Fair enough. Hike the credit.
By giving everyone the chance to buy their own policy, Mr. McCain would put Americans in charge of their health insurance. Their plan would be their property right, and they could shop from state to state to find the best deal, just as they do to buy auto insurance.
This change is part of getting us to become smarter consumers of health care. Many health experts believe this is an overdue way to control costs.
Now, let's look at how he would democratize the tax code, which isn't something you normally associate with a Republican.
Mr. McCain proposes eliminating the tax advantage workers receive through pre-tax health benefits. Today, workers aren't taxed on the health coverage they receive from their companies.
As a result, higher-income workers receive a larger tax break than middle- or lower-income workers. CEOs and other execs often exploit that advantage in buying themselves gold-plated plans.
Mr. McCain would take away those advantages and give every American the same tax credit to buy insurance. All workers, from Warren Buffett down to the small businessman in Muleshoe, Texas, finally would be on the same playing field. Even one Democratic health policy expert I spoke with praised Mr. McCain for attacking the tax code's regressivity.
I sometimes wonder if Mr. McCain understands the powerful imagery of this change. True, this stuff is complicated, but he's basically taking an advantage from the wealthy and spreading it around to everyone else. He should be shouting this from the airwaves, showing voters he's the guy taking on the Buffetts on behalf of the average guy.
Hillary Clinton certainly understood the power of making health care her issue. So did her husband in 1992.
John McCain needs to do something similar if he plans on becoming president. Health care alone won't put him over the top, but it could help him help him win the White House as part of an ideas-based campaign.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
William McKenzie is an editorial columnist for The Dallas Morning News. Comment by clicking here.
08/06/08: How Bush can help McCain
04/09/08: To win, McCain must take his party in a bold, daring direction
03/26/08: To win, McCain must take his party in a bold, daring direction
01/30/08: Finally, Bush speaks up for relevancy
01/24/08: After Bush, who's going to crusade for education?
12/20/07: Candidates who prey on fears may generate votes at this moment in our cycle, but we really need to think hard about how far inward we turn
10/30/07: Is America building an empire? That is a central question for the next presidents
08/28/07: Don't let Gonzales' record taint all Bush appointees
08/16/07: Rove was half right: He got the big picture, but didn't belong in the White House
02/01/06: GOP needs changes, but it can't forget the big picture
03/31/05: Mexico fixes problems when it wants to
12/06/04: Bush's new team has a Texas feel
11/08/04: Second chances shouldn't be wasted
08/25/04: Bush could profit from being like Ike
© 2008, The Dallas Morning News Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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