American Morning
Massa claims Dems forced him out
By Kristi Keck, CNN
(CNN) – House Democratic leaders on Monday refuted embattled Rep. Eric Massa's allegation that they want to get rid of him because of his opposition to health care legislation.
"That's completely false. There is zero merit to that accusation," said Katie Grant, spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland.
An aide to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, also denied Massa's claim.
Massa, D-New York, announced Wednesday he would not seek re-election because of health concerns and denied reports that he had harassed one of his Capitol Hill staff members. Two days later, he said he would resign effective Monday.
The first-term congressman said he learned of an ethics investigation into his conduct after deciding to retire.
Massa, who voted against the House's health care reform bill in November, said Sunday he was targeted because he was standing in the way of passing health care legislation. FULL STORY
Program note: Rep. Eric Massa speaks out on "Larry King Live," Tuesday 9 p.m. ET.
Saving Carlos: The face of California's crisis
Editor’s Note: Yesterday on American Morning, we introduced you to Carlos. He's 8, uninsured, and struggling with ADHD and severe anxiety. Now, deep budget cuts in California could put his future in jeopardy. Is it fair to put a price on something like that? Today, CNN's Thelma Gutierrez takes a look at the debate for original series we're calling "Saving Carlos."
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/09/saving.carlos.two.cnn.art.jpg caption="Carlos’ therapist says taxpayers will pay the price for Carlos either now while he's is in treatment or later on if he doesn't get help."]
By Thelma Gutierrez, CNN
(CNN) – Carlos lives in south Los Angeles. His mother is a homemaker. His father is a street vendor.
Carlos says he wants us to understand his world. Although he is only a 2nd-grader, what struck me most over the month we spent with him is that already he says he wants a new life.
Carlos suffers from ADHD and severe anxiety, made worse by problems at home.
“I draw a picture about my family because they were fighting,” says Carlos. “Sometime when they fight, it's because when my dad drinks.”
Carlos' father didn't want to be on camera, but acknowledged he has had a hard time lately and financial pressures have only made things worse at home.
Carlos' mother, Leticia, wants to keep the family together, but knows they need help. Their son was failing in school and becoming disruptive at home.
The face of California's crisis 
When Leticia went looking for help, what she found were clinics grossly overburdened. In Los Angeles County alone, $216 million was slashed from its mental health department. Now county clinics are only taking kids who are suicidal or physically violent, not kids like Carlos, whose condition might not be as urgent, but is still just as serious.
Online game aims to solve real problems
(CNN) – You may not know it, but that co-worker sitting in the cube next to you could be a mighty warrior, a hero to thousands in an online universe.
We're talking about a new game that hopes to harness leadership qualities people develop in their cyber lives to change the real world. On Tuesday's American Morning we spoke to Jane McGonigal, creative director of the online game Evoke.
New runaway Toyota claim in California
(CNN) – There's a new, terrifying account today of a runaway ride in a Toyota. The company is sending investigators to California where a driver claims he almost flew over a hill at more than 90 miles an hour in his Prius yesterday.
The Prius was only recalled for braking problems and not the acceleration issue. Our Deb Feyerick has all the details for us.
Tax deductions for job seekers
(CNN) – Good news for job seekers. You can deduct some expensive job hunting expenses, including employment and outplacement agency fees, travel costs and resume costs. Here's a list of what and who is eligible.
Tax Deductions for Job Seekers
- New interview suit (No)
- Employment agency fees (Yes)
- Travel expenses to interview (Yes)
- Resume expenses (Yes)
- New laptop to follow job boards (NO)
Are you eligible?
- New job in current field (Yes)
- Career changers (No)
- First-time job seekers (No)
- Long-term unemployed (No)
Would you move 1000 miles for your job?
By Bob Ruff, CNN
(CNN) – What would you do if your company closed its doors, but offered you the same job 1000 miles away?
In December 2008, in the depths of the recession, GM worker Steve Kerl faced that same question. Just 8 years from retirement, his GM assembly plant in Janesville, Wisconsin was shut down. 1,933 workers were out of work.
“What are we going to do?” was Kerl’s first reaction. “Are we going to have our health care? How are we going to come out? We didn’t even know if you were going to have a job.”
Most of the Janesville plant workers took buyouts. But 545 of them were fortunate enough to be offered jobs at other GM plants. The catch? The plants are hundreds of miles from Wisconsin.
What would you do?
Kerl took a job putting fenders on GM SUV’s in Arlington, Texas. It’s hard work. At the end of his 10-hour shifts he goes back to bunk with two other GM workers in a three-bedroom apartment near the plant. Home is 1000 miles away.
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
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