Soccer Refugees; Obama Health Care Meeting; Are Republicans an Endangered Species?; Proposition 1C
Soccer Refugees
Clarkston, Georgia was a typical southern town until the 1990's, when its designation as a refugee settlement center brought in immigrants from places like Sudan, Iraq, and Kosovo. In his book "Outcasts United", Warren St. John follows a soccer team of child immigrants who call themselves The Fugees. At the heart of the team is their founder and coach, a Jordanian woman who guides the team members and their families through obstacles on an off the field. "Outcasts United" chronicles the lives of refugees in a new home as well as the American town adjusting to its new residents. Larry Mantle talks with New York Times reporter Warren St. John about his book.
Obama Health Care Meeting
A number of health care industry groups are pledging to participate in a White House plan to bring down health care costs by as much as $2 trillion over ten years. In a letter to President Obama, several healthcare health care executives pledged to voluntarily keep down costs by standardizing insurance claim forms, increasing the use of electronic medical records, and cutting down on unnecessary procedures. The promise could make it easier for Congress to enact comprehensive health coverage. Larry Mantle discusses what the announcement means.
Are Republicans an Endangered Species?
Since the Republicans lost White House and the Congress, they have been trying to redefine themselves and shore up a possibly fatal split between one faction that claims their only salvation is to cleave to the most conservative principles and another faction that proposes a moderate course and a bigger tent. The squabbling is public and former Vice President Dick Cheney, rather silent during his reign, is appearing on news shows to support the Rush Limbaugh wing of the party over the Colin Powell version. Larry Mantle takes calls from listeners who wish to weigh in on fault lines in the Republican Party and which faction will win out.
Proposition 1C
Proponents of the proposition say that $5 billion can be raised without risk to offset California's $42 billion deficit, all the while revamping a struggling 25-year-old lottery system. Its passage would mean saving the state from more budget cuts and higher taxes. Opponents of the measure say that the extra revenue comes with an unwanted price, as revenue may depend on increased gambling to generate future revenue, thus exploiting the poor and, they say, the problems associated with it.