New law for your state?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
With a new year comes new rules.
In fact, 31 states are out with new laws that go into effect this year, that's according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. One of the most common changes: 14 states raised the minimum wage.
Some of other laws include:
– The mortgage crisis means lenders in Colorado will have to better evaluate borrowers. Also, delinquent borrowers will get more months to get caught up.
– Illinois is mandating energy-efficient light bulbs in buildings larger than one-thousand square feet.
– Connecticut is expanding tax breaks for fuel-efficient cars.
– Arizona is stripping licenses from businesses that knowingly hire illegal aliens.
– California is making it illegal to smoke in a car if a child is inside.
– Washington state is banning text messaging while driving.
– And here in New York, there is a new airline passenger bill of rights… meaning you no longer can be trapped on a plane for more than three hours without getting food, water, air and clean restrooms.
Here’s my question to you:
What new law would you enact in your state?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Time to leave Iraq?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
John Edwards says that as president there would be no more than 5,000 U.S. troops left in Iraq within 10 months.
Edwards told The New York Times the withdrawal would include forces who are training the Iraqi army and police. He says that extending the American training effort into the next presidency would require the deployment of tens of thousands of troops, which he calls "a continuation of the occupation of Iraq."
Edwards' plan calls for the immediate withdrawal of 40,000 to 50,000 troops... and within 9 to 10 months, the rest of them except the 35-hundred to 5-thousand troops who would remain to protect the U.S. Embassy and possibly do humanitarian work.
Edwards suggested he would allow for the training of some Iraqi forces outside of Iraq. But he says he decided on an almost total withdrawal because of the political failure of the Iraqi government.
His plan is at odds with the strategy of military commanders, who say the situation in Iraq is still too fragile to set a timetable for withdrawal of American forces. Edwards wants a more rapid and complete troop withdrawal than either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, who have suggested they're open to keeping U.S. trainers and counterterrorism units in Iraq.
Here’s my question to you:
John Edwards wants no more than 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq within 10 months. Is that a good idea?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Relevance of Iowa and New Hampshire?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Iowa and New Hampshire go along pretty much unnoticed most of the time, but every four years they get even. They are where the presidential first pitch is thrown out.
Some people argue that this is no way to pick a president, that the current system gives a few hundred thousand voters in these two early states way too much influence. At least one expert calls the system "foolish" and "outdated."
"The Columbus Dispatch" suggests Ohio would be a better starting place because it better represents the country demographically, economically and politically. Tell you what, when you fix your voting machines, we'll talk.
The McClatchy newspapers say Iowa is a foreign place to many Americans:
"Why should such a tiny state get such a big say in picking the president?... A state where the people are as white as the snow-covered landscape, devoid of the minorities who are changing the country's complexion. A place where people graduate from school in record proportion, and live long, healthy lives."
The article goes on to suggest that Iowa, which has the highest literacy rate in the nation, might be as good a place as any to start. It's small enough that candidates can meet people face-to-face. And, even though Iowa isn't representative of the rest of country, no other single state probably is either.
Here’s my question to you:
Are Iowa and New Hampshire the right places to start the presidential election process?
To see the Cafferty File video click here
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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