July 25 -26 - Democrats! Follow Linda's Example Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This weekend, I interview Linda Buckley, my executive assistant.  A lifelong Democrat, Linda recently switched political parties and became a Republican.  During my interview, she describes why she changed her party affiliation.  Citing national health care, Cap and Trade, massive spending at the national level and Democratic Governor Ed Rendell’s proposed 16% income tax increase at the state level in Pennsylvania, Linda concluded that the current liberal agenda is unfair and will squeeze regular, hard working Americans.  Linda feels that Americans like her simply cannot live with these policies.

I also interview former Allegheny County Commissioner, Jim Roddey.  Jim and I discuss a number of topics affecting Western Pennsylvania, including functional consolidation opportunities between the Pittsburgh and Allegheny County governments.  Our city currently has over $2 billion in debt, the highest per capita debt of any American city by a significant margin.  Political consolidation is not going to be possible and at this point is an impediment to real change, but the city and county should initiate functional consolidation of overlapping services anywhere they can to save money.  The bottom line is that by combining redundant services (such as the Parks, Public Works, Purchasing, and Mail Departments) the Pittsburgh and Allegheny County governments could save $33 million a year.  This money could then be used to pay down our debt over time without raising local tax rates.  Over the long term, we may even be able to lower tax rates.

Finally, I discuss Obama’s national healthcare agenda by reviewing and commenting on the speech he delivered on Monday, July 20th outside Children’s Hospital in Washington D.C.  The bottom line is that in spite of the numerous reports detailing the increased costs-including the Congressional Budget Office’s analysis predicting a $1.5 trillion increase-President Obama continues to state that his plan will save money over the long term while extending care to everyone, and also providing everyone more choices and better quality care.  On Wednesday evening Obama went so far as to state that his socialization of our health care system would save our economy.  None of the President’s claims are credible.  Whether it is his speech at the Washington, DC Children’s Hospital, his press conference last Wednesday evening from the White House, or his speech at the Cleveland Clinic on Thursday, Obama continues to promote a sense of immediate urgency regarding passage of his “ObamaCare” program-and the need to pass his version-but yet still cannot articulate the details of his plan. Americans are increasingly skeptical of Obama’s ability to lead the U.S. in the “right direction,” fix the economy, and implement healthcare reform that lowers costs and does not ration care.

We must continue to fight for sound economic policy.  It does appear that members of Congress are starting to listen.  We must keep the pressure on Washington D.C.  Contact your Senators and Representatives and encourage them to vote “No” on ObamaCare.