Which concerns you more: health care or economy?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The percentage of Americans who say economic concerns are the nation's top problem is decreasing... while the number worried about health care is on the rise.
A new Gallup poll shows 60-percent of those surveyed cite an economic issue - like unemployment, the deficit or the economy in general - as the nation's most serious concern. That's down from 69-percent last month. The current mood is the same as what it was in September of last year - before the bankruptcies and bailouts started.
And - as the debate over health care rages on, 25-percent of Americans now say that is the country's most important problem... that number is up from 16-percent just a month ago.
Gallup says this spike in interest is similar to what it recorded when President Clinton had tried health care reform in the early 90s.
Meanwhile - Although polls suggest more Americans think the economy is improving, many experts are saying: "Not so fast... "
Economists warn that the recovery will be weak compared to periods that followed other recessions. In fact, investors' fears over consumer spending and a decline in consumer confidence sent the markets down by the largest amount in six weeks today.
And, as our lawmakers in Washington try to figure out how to pay for a health care overhaul with a potential $1 trillion price tag - it's worth pointing out that the two issues of health care and the economy are very much intertwined.
Here’s my question to you: Which concerns you more: health care or the economy?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Pres. Obama willing to retreat on health care?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
There are growing signs that President Obama may be willing to drop one of the key parts of his health care reform plan. If it happens, chalk up a big victory for the Republicans and the insurance companies.
After weeks of criticism against a proposed government-run insurance plan - and the increasingly rowdy town hall meetings - the president now says the public option for coverage is just a sliver of the overall proposal. But it's a big sliver - especially politically.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has gone further - saying a direct government role in the reformed system is "not the essential element." Sebelius says "what's important is choice and competition." One option that may replace the idea of the government running health care is nonprofit health cooperatives that would compete with the private sector.
If the president decides to drop the "public option" it has the potential to both help and hurt him in the ongoing debate. Mr. Obama would take away some of the steam from the Republicans' cries of "a government takeover" of health care. It also leaves room for compromise and potentially getting some Republicans on board.
But, the president risks alienating liberals. Already some top Democrats, like former party chairman Howard Dean, are saying that any health care reform plan must include the public option. One Democratic congressman insists leaving private insurance companies in charge of controlling health care costs is "like making a pyromaniac the fire chief."
Here’s my question to you: What does it mean If President Obama is willing to retreat on health care?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Govt. employees forced time off without pay to save $?
(PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Olson/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The city of Chicago is mostly closed for business today... as a way to save money.
Most city employees are off without pay. Emergency services like the police and fire department aren't affected; but city hall, public libraries, garbage pickup, health clinics and other city offices are closed.
Chicago is facing an estimated budget shortfall of about $250 million to $300 million for 2009... so as part of the budget, the city included three reduced-service days. The other two are the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
The city anticipates these reduced service days will save more than $8 million.
But city workers are losing more than just the pay for these three-days. They've also been asked to take six furlough days and six unpaid holidays this year.
Mayor Richard Daley says every dollar the city saves from these measures "helps to save jobs, and in the long-term, maintain services for Chicagoans." He thanked city employees for making the sacrifice and being "part of the solution" to the budget challenges. The employees weren't given any choice.
But some city workers say they don't mind taking the unpaid days if it means holding on to their jobs in the long-run.
Here’s my question to you: Should government employees be forced to take time off without pay as a way of saving money?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 4pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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