American Morning
Avlon: 'Wingnuts' reinforce partisan stereotypes
Editor’s note: John P. Avlon is a senior political columnist for The Daily Beast and author of "Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking America." Previously, he served as chief speechwriter for New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and was a columnist and associate editor for The New York Sun.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/04/gop.politico.art.jpg caption="The RNC presentation, discovered by Politico.com, encourages fundraisers to stoke the fires of "fear." "]
By John Avlon, Special to CNN
Washington’s partisan stereotypes got reinforced this week by a dean of the liberal House leadership and a stunningly cynical PowerPoint presentation to RNC fundraisers.
Congressman Charles Rangel has been a fixture on the Democratic scene for four decades, finally rising to the powerful chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee, overseeing U.S. tax policy. Nothing grates Americans more than hypocrisy from politicians. Months ago, Rangel came under scrutiny for failing to disclose income in excess of $500,000 and failing to pay taxes. Allegations included paying below market rate for four apartments in Harlem and not disclosing rental income off a cottage in the Dominican Republic.
This week, the Ethics Committee found that Rangel had accepted gifts of travel to the Caribbean for conferences without appropriate reimbursement and Rangel offered to temporarily step down from his chairmanship. It wasn’t just the ethical lapse that elevates this to wingnut levels, it’s the way it confirms the worst stereotypes of big city Democrats – Rangel’s predecessor in his congressional seat, the pioneering Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was laid low by a scandal involving misappropriation of funds.
This new round of charges also increased heat on Democratic congressional leaders – especially Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had previously stood by Rangel. After a series of Republican congressional scandals, she had famously promised to preside over “the most honest, most open and most ethical Congress in history.” When even the man in charge of the tax code has trouble with its compliance, Rangel’s troubles reinforced the feeling that government is broken.
Sunday offering: Surgery for the needy
By Leslie Askew, CNN
Lexington, Kentucky (CNN) - In the 1950s, when Dr. Andy Moore's father was the first plastic surgeon in town, many residents didn't have health insurance. But Dr. Andrew Moore Sr. believed that medicine was about service.
"He would accept all kinds of things in payment. People would bring chickens or a bushel of apples or a piece of furniture that they'd made," his son recalled. "He wanted them to be able to maintain their dignity."
Moore says he inherited his father's conviction, as well as his love of medicine.
Moore, who shares a plastic surgery practice with two of his four brothers, started a program that provides outpatient surgical care to Kentucky's uninsured - for free.
On the third Sunday of each month, Surgery on Sunday opens its doors at the Lexington Surgery Center. Since 2005, when Moore persuaded a hospital to donate space and recruited volunteer staff members from across the state, SOS has treated more than 3,100 patients.
Do you know a hero? Nominations are open for 2010 CNN Heroes
We Listen – Your comments 3/4/2010
Editor's Note: American Morning’s Thursday audience revisited the health care debate, one day after President Obama laid down the gauntlet for the final vote on reform. Though all accepted the premise that “something needs to be done on health care reform,” many argued pros and cons of the proposed plan; others offered alternatives.
- RP: Ya know this healthcare problem really doesn't seem so complicated. The government already has the infrastructure components to implement "Healthcare" without creating a new layer of government. The private insurance companies only want to "insure" those most probable to not have health problems. So allow "chronic illness" people access to medicare at both ends of the life spectrum (birth-defects, chronic conditions, and elderly/aging) to set health plan coverage (funding mechanism is already in place). Allow private insurance to market to those at less-risk but, have a income surtax.....based on "reasonable returns on capital" of their profits. The surtax would then be used to fund coverages for the chronically ill and educational programs through school that promote a preventative, healthy lifestyle. […]
- Betty: Interesting that all the pro health care people (like the lady that was just on) say Oh I can't say what the public thinks – like its a mortal sin – If polls favored the health care I'm sure they would love to repeat what the public thinks. I'm opposed to the health care bill more because of the cuts in the care we receive and low payments to the doctors than even the tremendous cost. Of course that is the excuse that will 'pay' for it all. It’s the plan, not the dysfunctional government that is holding up the bill.
- Nancy: Where do you get your poll numbers from? I don't agree that 48% want health care reform to start over. If CNN and other news networks would have scrutinized the spending of the Bush administration on the Iraq war and tax relief for big business the way they are the health care bill, we may not have the deficit we have today. Could one of the reasons be because of all the advertising dollars that drug companies spend that we are hearing mostly negative news on health care reform? As a nation ranking 37th in health care, I think we can all agree that something needs fixed. I love this country and am dismayed by all the misinformation and hate I hear on the news. I support our President and hope that health care reform passes. No one wants to pay taxes but everyone wants the government, both state and federal, to provide services.
What do you think? Continue the conversation below.
How the Pentagon helps movie makers
(CNN) – The military is a major theme in the race for Oscar gold this year. Often the producers of war movies turn to the Pentagon to help spice up their special effects.
But as our Barbara Starr found out, the relationship between the military and Hollywood goes way back.
Is the filibuster busted?
(CNN) – A late-night vote in the Senate this week is putting an old-school tactic back in the spotlight: the filibuster. But we didn't see hours of talking-on-end and there were no senators napping on cots.
So what's changed? Has the filibuster lost its political punch? Our Jim Acosta has the report for our original series, "Broken Government."
Inside a crowded classroom
(CNN) – Dozens of nationwide protests are planned today in defense of education. Demonstrators in more than thirty states are taking to the streets, tired of budget cuts that are bloating classrooms and burdening teachers.
Our Casey Wian visited with one first grade teacher in California who's trying hard to cope with shrinking budgets and increased class sizes in light of threatened lay-offs.
Read more: Students to protest funding cuts
Sound off: What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with education cuts? Are the cuts affecting you? What alternatives do you suggest? Post your comments below.
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