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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
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Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
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Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Dec. 11, 2009 / 24 Kislev 5770
Dems Whistling Past Graveyard
By
Mona Charen
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
The unexpected victory of Republican Jimmy Higdon in the Kentucky state
Senate special election despite a 2-to-1 Democratic registration
advantage is another fire bell in the night that national Democrats
are going to ignore. Marking the 33rd Republican win in the 50 or so
special elections since 2008, the Kentucky race was a referendum on
health care reform. Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear acknowledged that "The
Republican Party was successful in . national(izing) this race." The
winning margin was 12 points in a district that was supposed to drop
into the Democrat's lap like a ripe peach.
But the Democratic Party is not listening to actual voters any more than
it is heeding a string of polls showing declining support for a health
care overhaul and for politicians who push it. A new Quinnipiac poll
finds that 52 percent of respondents oppose the health care reform under
consideration in Congress, while only 38 percent support it. The same
poll found that only 38 percent approve of the way President Obama is
handling the issue, while 56 percent disapprove. Graveyard? What
graveyard?
The Quinnipiac poll found the lowest overall approval rating yet for
President Obama at 46 percent. Other results are similar. The
RealClearPolitics average shows the president's approval rating at 48.6
down from 62 percent in June. Gallup found that 49 percent of voters
would advise their representative to vote against health care reform
while 44 percent would counsel voting in favor. Rasmussen's survey found
that only 41 percent favor the bill.
If this were a referendum, it's clear which side would prevail.
Aside from the unpopularity of the legislation itself, Americans are
dismayed at the Democrats' stubborn unresponsiveness to their
priorities. All major polls show that by more than a 2-to-1 margin,
voters are more concerned about the economy and jobs than about health
care.
Yet Speaker Pelosi reiterated again this week that "We would do almost
anything to pass a health care bill." Points for frankness.
Politicians are routinely chastised for pandering to voters and the
Democrats have done more than their share. But this is the opposite and
it is even less uplifting. The Democratic Party is determined to shove
health care reform down the nation's throat utterly disregarding the
electorate's wishes.
They (probably) have the votes to do it. But, as Al Gore might put it, railroading
unpopular legislation through is a "risky scheme."
Because Democrats like to hold office, it cannot be that they are moved
only by ideological rigidity. They must be convinced that once their
reform becomes law, voters will be happy with it. They must also believe
that the voters are as insincere as Democrats themselves are when they
express worry about the size of the national debt.
But the gamble may not pay off. Between now and 2010, the ramifications
of the Democrats' truly reckless plunge into the deepest debt in our
history will become clearer. Conservative estimates put the number of
new bureaus, commissions, and agencies hidden in those 2,000 page bills
at 100 all staffed with bureaucrats ready to complicate the process
of getting well.
A proposal Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid appears to be touting will
permit a "buy in" to Medicare for those between the ages of 55 and 64.
Do they expect this to be popular? Medicare already has an unfunded
liability of $89 trillion. Only a Democrat could conclude that the
solution to the problem of vastly overpromised government benefits is
more promises.
Medicare also fails to pay the full costs of care for its patients.
Hospitals and providers recoup the difference by charging higher
premiums to those with private health insurance. The Pacific Research
Institute estimates that Medicare shifts almost $50 billion in costs to
the private sector annually. More Medicare beneficiaries will translate
into more cost shifting. Private insurance rates will have to rise. This
will not surprise voters, 63 percent of whom expect their premiums to
increase under the Democrats' reform. Details like the Medicare
expansion and substantial new taxes tucked into the small print will not
play well. Voters will ask themselves: Why is this burden being imposed
again?
Surveying his polling results, Quinnipiac pollster Peter Brown said,
"It's a good thing for those pushing the health care overhaul in
Congress that the American people don't get a vote."
But they do eventually.
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Comment on JWR contributor Mona Charen's column by clicking here.
Mona Charen Archives
© 2006, Creators Syndicate
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