What if pharmaceutical companies' influence led W.H.O. to exaggerate swine flu threat?
(PHOTO CREDIT: CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Remember the swine flu?
Fears of a global pandemic, millions of deaths, shortages of vaccines... and on and on? What we wound up with - fortunately - didn't even come close. There were far fewer deaths than expected and more than 70 million unused doses of the newly created H1N1 vaccine - in the U.S. alone.
And now there's this: Two reports in Europe say the World Health Organization vastly exaggerated the swine flu threat. They say decisions were poorly explained and not transparent enough; and that's why public trust in the W.H.O. is "plummeting."
These reports suggest the UN's health agency didn't disclose possible ties to the pharmaceutical industry when recommending how countries should respond.
They say the W.H.O. caused widespread and unnecessary fear - and caused countries to waste millions of dollars. All the while - and here is the kicker - the agency was getting advice from experts who were on the payroll of the pharmaceutical companies that manufactured the swine flu vaccine.
The W.H.O. says claims that this was a fake pandemic are "irresponsible" and they insist that the organization was never improperly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.
Sure.
Other experts are defending the health organization, too... saying they made the best decisions they could under the circumstances.
Sure.
Nevertheless, in light of the charges... the W.H.O. has launched two investigations.
Here’s my question to you: What if influence from pharmaceutical companies led the World Health Organization to exaggerate the swine flu threat?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
How much govt. involvement in Wall St., health care, auto industry, banks?
(PHOTO CREDIT: STAN HONDA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
In calling on Wall St. to back reform - Pres. Obama says he believes in the power of the free market, but he also says: "A free market was never meant to be a free license to take whatever you can get, however you can get it."
The president insists that reform of the financial industry is necessary in order to avoid another crisis - the aftermath of which we're still living through.
He says reform would: Help keep consumers from being "duped" by deceptive financial deals, make complex investment derivatives more transparent, and create a "dedicated agency" to make sure banks don't take advantage of people. The translation of that last part is yet another government bureaucracy.
The president's in a tough spot - trying to convince those on Wall St. to support reforms of Wall St; and he insists the reforms are in the "best interest" of both the country and the industry.
We'll see. The fact of the matter is these calls for more regulation follow government meddling in everything from health care to the auto industry and banks… not what usually comes to mind when you think of free market capitalism.
And not everyone is comfortable with this. A new Pew poll suggests an overwhelming majority of Americans are either frustrated or angry with the federal government... and almost one-third of us see the government as a threat to our personal freedom.
This poll also shows most Americans are against a larger, more activist government... except when it comes to regulating big financial companies.
Here’s my question to you: How much should the government be involved in things like Wall Street, health care, the auto industry and banks?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 6pm 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.
How will health care affect your vote in midterms?
President Obama signs the final version of the health care bill. (PHOTO CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Democrats may have won the year-long battle over health care reform, but there are signs it may not translate into victory come November.
In fact, just the opposite. Several new polls out suggest that the Democrats could be in trouble in the midterm elections.
For starters, a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll shows that after the passage of health care, 55% of Republicans say they're "extremely" or "very" enthusiastic about voting in November. That's compared to 36% of Democrats. Although these numbers are up for both parties, the Democrats still face a double-digit "enthusiasm gap."
The poll also shows 48% of voters favor Republicans in their congressional district compared to 45% for Democrats. Add in the fact that Republicans usually vote at higher rates than Democrats, and you can see possible big trouble for Democrats.
To make matters worse, more than half of independents say they would back the Republican candidate. About the only silver lining for Democrats is a lot of people say they could still change their minds.
Meanwhile, a new USA Today/Gallup poll shows that Americans worried about unemployment and the economy are increasingly blaming President Obama.
The poll shows half of those surveyed say Mr. Obama doesn't deserve to be re-elected, and he doesn't get majority approval on his handling of the economy, foreign affairs, the deficit or health care.
Here’s my question to you: How will health care reform affect your vote in the midterm elections?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Should gov't be able to force you to have insurance?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Health care reform is now the law of the land... and part of that law is that everyone has to have insurance. Those who don't could be fined.
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The law creates penalties in the tax code as an incentive to buy insurance...
For example, by 2014 - an adult who doesn't have insurance would have to pay $95 or one-percent of their income... whichever is more.
In 2016, that penalty increases to almost $700 per person... and about $2,000 per household, or 2.5 percent of income, whichever is more.
The penalty is only enacted if you go more than three months a year without health insurance; and it doesn't apply to everyone.
Some people are exempt - including those at the lowest income levels, people in prison or objecting on religious grounds, or members of Native American tribes.
Massachusetts has had a similar penalty system tied to its health insurance system for a few years. In 2008 - the state fined about 1.5 percent of all taxpayers.
Critics, including some Republicans, say this system means the Internal Revenue System will need to hire many new agents, and that the IRS will be "more deeply involved in our lives than ever before."
But Democrats say the IRS has been able to implement other new taxes without major problems; and President Obama insists that the only way to make insurers cover everyone is for everyone to be required to buy health insurance.
Here’s my question to you: Should the government be able to force you to have insurance?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
What will passing health care mean for Pres. Obama?
Pres. Obama delivers a statement to the nation following the vote in the House of Representatives on health care reform from the East Room of the White House. (PHOTO CREDIT: JIM WATSON/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Perhaps gloating just a little, in the wake of the passage of health care reform yesterday, President Obama said, "This is what change looks like."
There were serious doubts that he could pull it off... but after more than a year of an often bitter debate, the health care sausage is made.
Whether you support it or not - this bill is a big deal... with some likening it to the passage of Social Security and Medicare.
David Sanger stated in the New York Times, "Mr. Obama proved he was willing to fight for something that moved him to his core... he showed that when he was finally committed to throwing all his political capital onto the table, he could win, if by the narrowest of margins."
The president succeeded where many others failed... but the real question is, at what cost?
For starters - the president has likely lost for good, his campaign promises of a post-partisan Washington.
Consider that for the first time in modern history a major bill passed without one single Republican vote. Even LBJ got almost half of House Republicans to sign on to Medicare in 1965.
Some top Republicans are already calling for a repeal of health care reform. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says the legislation "will not stand"... and that this is only the "beginning of the fight."
Gingrich insists the 2010 and 2012 elections will be an opportunity to "save America from a left-wing machine of unparalleled corruption, arrogance and cynicism."
If you think it's ugly now - and it is - just wait.
For his part, the president acknowledges he doesn't know what the political future will bring - but insists the legislation is "a victory for common sense."
Here’s my question to you: What will passing health care reform mean for President Obama?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Tipping health care vote one way or the other?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It's "do or die" time - when it comes to the president's signature issue of health care reform.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/19/art.pelosi.jpg caption="House Speaker Pelosi walks through the Capitol. The House is expected to cast its verdict on a Senate bill Sunday. A 'yes' vote would enshrine into law comprehensive health care reform, bringing coverage to 32 million Americans who currently lack insurance."]
After more than a year of debate, the showdown is set for Sunday when the House is expected to vote.
In the meantime - it's not clear if the Democrats have reached the magic number of votes needed to pass this thing. Both President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are meeting one-by-one with lawmakers on the fence, trying to turn "no" votes to "yes." It's political arm-twisting at its finest....
But it's not all good news for the Democratic leadership... with some caucus members showing signs of defecting.... including those not satisfied with the abortion language.
Meanwhile the stakes couldn't be much higher for President Obama. The future of health care reform could play a large role in the future of his presidency.
Which is probably why he's postponed his trip to Indonesia and Australia until June. But some are criticizing the president's decision to cancel the trip for now, and stay in Washington for the health care vote.
Here’s my question to you: What will it take to tip the health care reform vote one way or the other?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Eve of health care vote, pres. & Congress declining approval
Left: Clinic workers rally in support of Pres. Obama's historic health care reform package, urging congressional leaders to vote 'yes'. Right: Opponents of health care reform demonstrate against Obama's proposed health care legislation. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
On the eve of that historic health care vote - the American people are fed up with Washington.
A new Gallup poll shows President Obama with the worst job approval rating of his presidency. 46 percent approve of the job he's doing - while 48 percent disapprove.
As for Congress - Americans think even less of that bunch; only 16 approve - which is close to an all-time low - and a whopping 80 percent disapprove.
And, There are more signs that incumbents better watch their backs come November.
A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll asks: If there were a line on the ballot that would let you vote out every single member of Congress - including your own representative - would you do it? Half of the people surveyed say "yes."
As a piece in the Journal suggests: "Congress always looks worst when it's in the middle of making the sausage known as legislation... By contrast, lawmakers usually look better when the sausage is finished, packaged and displayed on the store shelf."
What's unclear is whether the American people will look more favorably on the president and Congress if - and it's still a big "if" - they can make the sausage, also known as health care reform.
Democratic Congressman Tom Perriello of Virginia summed up the way a lot of people feel about our lawmakers when he put it this way: "If you don't tie our hands, we will keep stealing." He was talking about how the only way for Congress to be fiscally responsible is to give them no choice.
Here’s my question to you: What does it say that on the eve of the health care vote, President Obama's approval rating in one poll is the lowest ever and Congress' approval rating is nearing an all-time low?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Should Pelosi be allowed to push health care through House without a vote?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Just when you think you've seen it all in Washington... along comes something like this:
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/16/art.pelosi.jpg caption="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may call for a vote on a rule that would simply 'deem' the Senate health care bill passed."]
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may try to pass the controversial health care reform bill without making members vote on it. Unbelievable.
Pelosi says she might use a procedural tactic where the House will vote on the package of fixes to the Senate bill... and then that vote would signify that lawmakers "deem" the health care bill to be passed.
Politically speaking, this is beyond sleazy. It's meant to protect Democrats - especially those up for re-election in November - from having to make a tough vote. Pelosi says of this process, "I like it... because people don't have to vote on the Senate bill." In Nancy Pelosi's world, accountability is a dirty word.
The Senate bill, of course, contains many provisions that are unpopular among some House Democrats - including language on abortion funding and taxes on high-cost insurance plans.
This tactic has been used in the past - but never for something as big and important as the nearly $900 billion health care reform bill.
Republicans are jumping all over this - and rightfully so. They're painting it as a way for Democrats to avoid taking responsibility. Some even suggest it's unconstitutional.
Meanwhile President Obama is campaigning relentlessly - calling on lawmakers to pass health care reform, "I want some courage. I want us to do the right thing."
The irony here is if Nancy Pelosi gets her way, it won't take much courage at all on the part of our so-called representatives.
Here’s my question to you: Should Nancy Pelosi be allowed to push health care reform through the House without a vote?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Losing track of what's in health care bills?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
"The American people are getting tired of this crap."
That's how Republican Senator Lindsey Graham describes the debate over health care reform. What do you know... a politician who speaks plain English.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/15/art.baby.jpg caption="A three-day-old girl gets a checkup at a low-cost clinic in Colorado. The baby's mother has health insurance through her employer, but can't afford the additional deductible to add her child as a dependent."]
Graham was talking about the Obama administration's dismissal of some Republican criticism of the health care bills. But all this back-and-forth may mercifully come to an end soon - one way or the other - with the House expected to vote this week on the bill the Senate has already passed.
And, after a year of arguments from all sides and thousands upon thousands of pages of legislation - the fate of health care reform remains very much in doubt. There are several stumbling blocks for the Democrats - both ideological and procedural.
As for what is in the bill - abortion and immigration are most likely to trip up the whole thing. There are several House Democrats pledging not to sign on if the House uses the Senate's less strict language on abortion funding. When it comes to immigration, there are House Democrats who disagree with the Senate's ban on undocumented immigrants buying insurance in the new health exchange.
Then there's the politics of it all - the details of reconciliation, which chamber will vote first, the distrust between the upper and lower houses and on and on...
Meanwhile you can expect the lobbyists to spare no expense this week. It's estimated that special interest groups will be spending about $1 million a day to influence the health care debate.
Here’s my question to you: Have you lost track of what's actually in the health care reform bills?
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.
Worse for Dems come Nov.: passing health care or not?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Democrats could face "unmitigated disaster" in the mid-term elections... if they continue to ignore the public's opposition to health care reform.
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This dire warning comes by way of pollsters who worked for the last two Democratic presidents.
Patrick Caddell and Douglas Schoen write in the Washington Post that the Democrats' "blind persistence in the face of reality threatens to turn this political march of folly into an electoral rout in November." They suggest that if health care reform passes - the Democrats' losses in the midterms will be even worse.
They say the political reality is that the battle for public opinion has been lost. Polls show a solid majority of Americans oppose the health care reform plan... even though most people believe that reform is needed and they support certain parts of the bill.
Caddell and Schoen write that President Obama and the Democratic party are deceiving themselves into believing that this reform is what the public wants.
They also point to polls that show the country is moving away from big government... saying the debate over health care has now become less about the issue itself... and more about the politics surrounding it. The American people see a government that "will neither hear nor heed the will of the people."
They suggest the only way for the Democrats to change course is to acknowledge that health care reform is a failure - whether or not it passes.
Here’s my question to you: Which will be worse for the Democrats in November: passing the health care bill or not passing it?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 6pm 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.FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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