Obama defends tax deal despite opposition from the left. Taxes and business. The status of the Dream Act. Jamie McCourt hits a home run in court. New rules for food allergies?
Obama defends tax deal despite opposition from the left
In Tuesday’s press conference, President Obama defended his willingness to choose compromise with Republicans over what is arguably the biggest sticking point between the parties: extending the expiring Bush-era tax cuts, even for the wealthy. Obama went so far as to chastise fellow Democrats for being “sanctimonious” purists. The President’s unusually feisty tone angered many libs, who are now accusing Obama of reneging on one of his major campaign promises. Was the tax cut deal a reasonable and necessary compromise? Or should President Obama have acted differently? If so, how and at what cost?
Guests:
Suzy Khimm, reporter for Mother Jones
Jim Kessler, Vice President for Policy and a co-founder of Third Way
Tax package trade offs & benefits to business and YOU
While lawmakers and pundits are still debating President Obama’s compromise strategy on tax cuts, individuals are taking a closer look at the agreement to see what’s in it for them. Yes, the GOP got part of what they wanted – tax cuts for everyone. In exchange, Dems won an extension of unemployment benefits. In today’s Los Angeles Times, business reporters dissected the deal, outlining the lesser-known aspects of the package. How will businesses specifically benefit? What will it mean for families, heirs, workers and the unemployed?
Guests:
Jim Puzzanghera, National business writer, Los Angeles Times, Tribune Washington Bureau
Michael Muskal, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
The Dream Act - a path to citizenship for some undocumented youth
Even as President Obama cut a deal on taxes he was calling for Congress to vote on the Dream Act, a priority for his administration and many of its Latino supporters. If passed, the Dream Act would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented youth, brought here by their parents, who have shown a commitment to the country and to education. Proponents argue that having two paths to citizenship - college and the military - would allow talented youth to achieve their potential through education and boost military recruitment rates. Critics say it’s an open door to further illegal immigration. Will the White House win enough support for the bill to pass? What would the impact be?
Guest:
Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus; senior member of the Committee on Ways and Means
Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of Center for Immigration Studies
Leslie Berestein Rojas, who writes the Multi-American immigration blog for KPCC
Nancy Meza, a recent UCLA graduate from last summer who arrived here when she was two years old. The rest of her family has legal status but she has been unable to adjust hers, and remains undocumented. She’s been active in the efforts to campaign for the passage of the Dream Act.
Jamie McCourt hits a home run in court
Since Frank and Jamie McCourt filed for divorce earlier this year the ownership of the Dodgers has been hanging in the air. On Tuesday, Superior Judge Scott Gordon granted Jamie McCourt's plea to throw out a 2004 agreement that listed Frank as the team's sole owner. At this point, the impact on the day-to-day operations of the team isn’t expected to be major. But if Frank McCourt isn’t able to regain full ownership of the Dodgers - he might have to put the Major League Baseball team up for sale.
Guest:
Bill Shaikin, National Baseball writer for the Los Angeles Times
New rules for food allergies?
Milk, eggs, peanuts and seafood – it turns out you may not be allergic to them after all. A new study released by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recommends new guidelines that challenge the methods used in diagnosis, testing and treatment of food allergies - as well as the percentage of Americans that have food allergies at all. The results of the study are intended for use by doctors, but may also help patients who have been living with overly restrictive diets. But don’t start binging on forbidden fruit yet. Doctors on the study panel were careful to stress that people with known food allergies should continue to practice care and have access to self-injectable epinephrine in the event of anaphylaxis. Do you have food allergies? How do you cope? What’s the difference, if any, between being food allergic or food intolerant?
Guest:
Dr. Matthew Fenton, Chief of the Asthma, Allergy and Inflammation Branch in the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation at NIAID (NIH)