South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint and Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee Congressman Charles Rangel sparred over health care this morning.
Senator DeMint, a fierce critic of the Democratic plan, suggested that "Americans take to the street in August, and go to their congressmen's office. They're going to go to town halls, and I think they're going to let congressmen and senators know that they need to keep their hands off their health care."
Congressman Rangel says that the August recess will be a success in terms of selling health care reform to the American people. He said that Americans are entitled to a public option.
In terms of paying for health care reform, DeMint argued that Rangel's tax plan is a "real jobs killer" and that it would raise taxes on the small business that create 70 or 80 percent of the jobs in this country.
But Rangel defended his plan saying that "96 percent of small businesses would not be hurt by this tax. It's less than 1 percent of the wealthiest people in the United States that would be taxed, and that's at a 1 percent tax."
According to Senator DeMint, "No matter what you call it, this is a government takeover." On the popular "Cash for Clunkers" program he added, "this is a great example of the stupidity that's coming out of Washington right now."
Rangel pushed back saying, "I'm really surprised at Jim being so negative with a problem that all Americans recognize face this nation. There's not any American, any adult American at least, that doesn't have a horror story of what has happened to them under this terrible system."
There was one thing they did agree on, however. And that was that they would both support extended unemployment benefits for another 13 weeks.
How come you as news reporters never ask the guests the tough questions. How about this question the next time for your democratic guests -
What are you going to do when your Government Health Plan program fails?
Blame the Republicans again.
What are you going to do when individual taxes are increased by your controlling administration? Blame the Republicans again.
No, Chris - Ask the tough questions and don't let them slide away with their tongue twister nonsense chatter for not answering the questions.
I though you would hold the liberals feet to the fire. you
don't, but you let the liberals hold are feet to the fire and you just slide right by the issue.
Stand up and be counted. You may think you are doing what we as conservative are hearing from you, but we're not. we want the tables turned on the liberals and we want it NOW. Either ask the questions or get off the air and let someone who can as the tough questions.
I would like to know if the insurance plan for senators is government run and what is the cost to tax payers. I sure don't hear any complaints about their plan. Why should we not have that plan. Chris, I would like for you to ask the next senator on your show to explain what is their plan and is free for life and do it include family members.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://ovarianpain.net
So sorry that you simply let Rangel off the hook with questions during the debate. The interview was very disappointing. We don't really know anymore than we did, especially about single-payer insurance and personal insurance with mobility and across state lines. You got nothing from him! He wants to raise taxes even though he dodges his own and he won't take the health plan he recommends for everyone else. This is a plan we should back?
I was SO DISAPPOINTED in your interview with DeMint and Rangel. You TOTALLY let Rangel avoid the questions about interstate insurance and B. Frank's statement about "single payer" being the goal. I couldn't wait to hear him have to answer those questions. What a total waste of an interview!!!
If the house and senate like this health care program so much I think they should be the first to be enrolled in it. That would set a example for the rest of the country to follow. But they would never give up their expenses health plan that the taypayer pay for. talking about double standards.
President Andrew Jackson is recognized as one of the founders of the Democratic Party. He had this to say about National Health Care: “I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”
Chris
Like others have written before me I was really disappointed in your panel discussion with Charlie Rangle & Jim Demint. You literally let Rangle spew his party's talking points instead of answering questions. However, in your interview with Mike Pence you held his feet to the fire. In the future, I would sure like to see you make the Democrat guests answer the questions so the truth can get out instead of letting them spew their out and out lies.
Mr. Wallace,
Why didn't you hold Rangel's feet to the fire when he obviously refused to answer direct questions? For instance, the question about buying insurance across state lines? He did not answer the question.
Also, you asked Rangel to respond to the comment from Barney Frank about the single payer plan and again you let him side step and did not demand an answer. Where is your "fair and balanced" reporting sir? Why aren't you demanding that the questions be answered? Also he needs to his homework. His comment about every adult American having a horror story with the current insurance system is totally false. Myself, and all of my friends and family have never had a "horror story" and are completely happy with this countries insurance as are the majority of Americans. Just look at the polls.
Finally, I do not understand why you even give Rangel air time, being the known tax evader that he is.
Mike, you really let me down (and many of your audience), that was the worst panel discussion I have ever seen you conduct. You let Rangel off every direct question and let him consume significantly more air time than DeMint. Then you come back twice on Jim with a final "just answer yes or no"re: unemployment benefits extension. You never did the same to Rangle and that is why Rangel who got the best on you had that smiling smirk at the end of the show. Shame on you, as a minimum I expected more impartiality.There was a lot of other items I did not like but many are already covered.
MR. WALLACE, I THINK YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST NEWREPORTERS LEFT. NEXT TIME THE HEALTH CARE ISSUE COMES UP, ASK WHY THE PEOPLE TRYING TO PUSH THIS GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE ON THE PUBLIC, WHY THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT TOO? I KNOW WHY, IT ISN'T ANY GOOD. SENIORS LOOSE AND SO WOULD THOSE THAT NEEDED CONSTANT CARE. PATIENT CARE SHOULD BE BETWEEN THE DOCTOR AND PATIENT NOT SOME GOVERNMENT OFFICAL THAT DICTATES WHETHER A PERSON CAN HAVE TREATMENT OR AN OPERATION TO STAY ALIVE OR FEEL HALF WAY GOOD.
Chris, how can you let Rangle get away with his comments about only "affecting 1% of the wealthiest americans" when he doesn't pay taxes on his income and has 4 rent controlled units in Harlem which he is not legaly entitled to. Giving this self-serving airbag air time without challlenging him is tantamount to supporting him.
When Congressman are willing to sign up for new program and give up their cuurrent plan I'll consider giving mine up!
We don't need the federal gov. taking over our the medical industry. We actually need more free enterprise chooses. If MIKE would have been responsable for his own health instead of leaving it 100% in his employers hands he wouldn't be in the perdicament his in. I honestly feel for him. However under any kind of PUBLIC plan he would have to be punished for not taking better care of himself. If we all had to shop for our own health insurance it would naturally be portable. WE would be better incentivised to take care of ourselves to keep our premimums down. It works for all the other types of insurance we need (auto, home etc...) We need to make the health insurance co. compete for our hard earned dollars & that would allow the free market to work to bring cost down & bring customer service up. Let's not be fooled by the people who say that countries like England & Canada have better healthcare then America. They have to ration there services & there systems are still in the hole financaly. They provide little if any services to cancer patents. America has the best treatment in the world for them. Cancer is very costly to treat thats why they don't put a priority on it yet we do because whether it's MIkE or some 80 year old lady Americans are always willing to step-up, with-out government forceing us to, to help others. There are more horror stories in countries with socialized plans. Sick people stuck in-line & dieing due to cost & lack of specialty doctors. THEY COME HERE.
Rangel: The US is the only industrialized country without national health care. Although its not nationalized, it is the world’s BEST healthcare system. That is why people from the other countries come to the US to get topnotch and timely medical treatment.
Mr Wallace: You have to ask the right questions to expose your guests' thinking, and you must force your guest politicians to answer the questions asked! You let Rangel get away without answering ... ie. 'comment on relative rates of taxation on small business ... ours vs European Socialist Countries!
Mike: Why did you question Rep. Mike Pence on a poll from NBC & the NY Times stating an unfavorable view of the Republican party?? Why don't you get a poll from Fox or a Conservative source instead or one of the other Fox contributors' shows? All the alphabet stations feed their viewers is anti-conservative rhetoric so we know what they will think when polled.
Chris, loved your challenge of Congressman Pence. You gave Congressman Rangle a free pass, however. He praised Medicare as a shining example of government run programs. You failed to mention it's pending bankruptcy, and it's approval based upon private providers. And where was your challenge of his legal issues, and the lack of Congressional investigation. Contrast that with your challenge of Congressman Pence, and I think your true colors are showing.
Greetings Mr. Wallace:
Congressman Rangel appears to support this massive Health Care proposal,like other Democrats, who just want it passed
and not considering the impact to the American people.
We, who have coverage through our employer, should not have to pay the price for those who do not have it! Furthermore, we who have coverage through our employer, should not have to give up what we have, because of insuring Illegal Aliens!
How fair is this? And why are the Democrats not reading the Health proposal, instead of making excuses!
The Federal Government should not be running our Health Care - they run enough and do a poor job!
If the Repbulicans are going to accomplish a "no" against this Health proposal, it is very essential that they present counter-proposals, instead of talking about it.
Additional taxation to this country, will bring down more small businesses and what is the "working family" going to have left?
I don't want you to give Rangelthe opportunity to get publicity. He is another cheat in the House, he doesn't even pay his own taxes. No surprise he is for raising taxes he doesn't pay anyway,for a health care program he won't participate in.
DeMint asked Rangel a question which Rangel failed to answer, namely why not allow insurance companies to compete across state lines.
This is a big deal, Rangle didn't answer an you let hme get by with it by bashing the repubicans. Not bad if you can ge tby with it.
Chris Wallace is the host of FOX News Sunday, which airs on the FOX News Channel on Sundays at 6 p.m. ET and on your local FOX affiliate. Check here for listings.
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Dr. Bill
How come you as news reporters never ask the guests the tough questions. How about this question the next time for your democratic guests - What are you going to do when your Government Health Plan program fails? Blame the Republicans again. What are you going to do when individual taxes are increased by your controlling administration? Blame the Republicans again. No, Chris - Ask the tough questions and don't let them slide away with their tongue twister nonsense chatter for not answering the questions. I though you would hold the liberals feet to the fire. you don't, but you let the liberals hold are feet to the fire and you just slide right by the issue. Stand up and be counted. You may think you are doing what we as conservative are hearing from you, but we're not. we want the tables turned on the liberals and we want it NOW. Either ask the questions or get off the air and let someone who can as the tough questions.
Ronald Hollingsworth
I would like to know if the insurance plan for senators is government run and what is the cost to tax payers. I sure don't hear any complaints about their plan. Why should we not have that plan. Chris, I would like for you to ask the next senator on your show to explain what is their plan and is free for life and do it include family members.
Susan
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often. Susan http://ovarianpain.net
Texican
So sorry that you simply let Rangel off the hook with questions during the debate. The interview was very disappointing. We don't really know anymore than we did, especially about single-payer insurance and personal insurance with mobility and across state lines. You got nothing from him! He wants to raise taxes even though he dodges his own and he won't take the health plan he recommends for everyone else. This is a plan we should back?
Charlynn Harvey
I was SO DISAPPOINTED in your interview with DeMint and Rangel. You TOTALLY let Rangel avoid the questions about interstate insurance and B. Frank's statement about "single payer" being the goal. I couldn't wait to hear him have to answer those questions. What a total waste of an interview!!!
Jerry Gordon
If the house and senate like this health care program so much I think they should be the first to be enrolled in it. That would set a example for the rest of the country to follow. But they would never give up their expenses health plan that the taypayer pay for. talking about double standards.
John
President Andrew Jackson is recognized as one of the founders of the Democratic Party. He had this to say about National Health Care: “I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”
Johnnie Smith
Chris Like others have written before me I was really disappointed in your panel discussion with Charlie Rangle & Jim Demint. You literally let Rangle spew his party's talking points instead of answering questions. However, in your interview with Mike Pence you held his feet to the fire. In the future, I would sure like to see you make the Democrat guests answer the questions so the truth can get out instead of letting them spew their out and out lies.
Ron
Mr. Wallace, Why didn't you hold Rangel's feet to the fire when he obviously refused to answer direct questions? For instance, the question about buying insurance across state lines? He did not answer the question. Also, you asked Rangel to respond to the comment from Barney Frank about the single payer plan and again you let him side step and did not demand an answer. Where is your "fair and balanced" reporting sir? Why aren't you demanding that the questions be answered? Also he needs to his homework. His comment about every adult American having a horror story with the current insurance system is totally false. Myself, and all of my friends and family have never had a "horror story" and are completely happy with this countries insurance as are the majority of Americans. Just look at the polls. Finally, I do not understand why you even give Rangel air time, being the known tax evader that he is.
DanY
Mike, you really let me down (and many of your audience), that was the worst panel discussion I have ever seen you conduct. You let Rangel off every direct question and let him consume significantly more air time than DeMint. Then you come back twice on Jim with a final "just answer yes or no"re: unemployment benefits extension. You never did the same to Rangle and that is why Rangel who got the best on you had that smiling smirk at the end of the show. Shame on you, as a minimum I expected more impartiality.There was a lot of other items I did not like but many are already covered.
LYNDA
MR. WALLACE, I THINK YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST NEWREPORTERS LEFT. NEXT TIME THE HEALTH CARE ISSUE COMES UP, ASK WHY THE PEOPLE TRYING TO PUSH THIS GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE ON THE PUBLIC, WHY THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT TOO? I KNOW WHY, IT ISN'T ANY GOOD. SENIORS LOOSE AND SO WOULD THOSE THAT NEEDED CONSTANT CARE. PATIENT CARE SHOULD BE BETWEEN THE DOCTOR AND PATIENT NOT SOME GOVERNMENT OFFICAL THAT DICTATES WHETHER A PERSON CAN HAVE TREATMENT OR AN OPERATION TO STAY ALIVE OR FEEL HALF WAY GOOD.
Roger
Chris, how can you let Rangle get away with his comments about only "affecting 1% of the wealthiest americans" when he doesn't pay taxes on his income and has 4 rent controlled units in Harlem which he is not legaly entitled to. Giving this self-serving airbag air time without challlenging him is tantamount to supporting him. When Congressman are willing to sign up for new program and give up their cuurrent plan I'll consider giving mine up!
Glenn
We don't need the federal gov. taking over our the medical industry. We actually need more free enterprise chooses. If MIKE would have been responsable for his own health instead of leaving it 100% in his employers hands he wouldn't be in the perdicament his in. I honestly feel for him. However under any kind of PUBLIC plan he would have to be punished for not taking better care of himself. If we all had to shop for our own health insurance it would naturally be portable. WE would be better incentivised to take care of ourselves to keep our premimums down. It works for all the other types of insurance we need (auto, home etc...) We need to make the health insurance co. compete for our hard earned dollars & that would allow the free market to work to bring cost down & bring customer service up. Let's not be fooled by the people who say that countries like England & Canada have better healthcare then America. They have to ration there services & there systems are still in the hole financaly. They provide little if any services to cancer patents. America has the best treatment in the world for them. Cancer is very costly to treat thats why they don't put a priority on it yet we do because whether it's MIkE or some 80 year old lady Americans are always willing to step-up, with-out government forceing us to, to help others. There are more horror stories in countries with socialized plans. Sick people stuck in-line & dieing due to cost & lack of specialty doctors. THEY COME HERE.
John
Rangel: The US is the only industrialized country without national health care. Although its not nationalized, it is the world’s BEST healthcare system. That is why people from the other countries come to the US to get topnotch and timely medical treatment.
joe
Mr Wallace: You have to ask the right questions to expose your guests' thinking, and you must force your guest politicians to answer the questions asked! You let Rangel get away without answering ... ie. 'comment on relative rates of taxation on small business ... ours vs European Socialist Countries!
Nancy Hutson
Mike: Why did you question Rep. Mike Pence on a poll from NBC & the NY Times stating an unfavorable view of the Republican party?? Why don't you get a poll from Fox or a Conservative source instead or one of the other Fox contributors' shows? All the alphabet stations feed their viewers is anti-conservative rhetoric so we know what they will think when polled.
Lawrence of Arlington
Chris, loved your challenge of Congressman Pence. You gave Congressman Rangle a free pass, however. He praised Medicare as a shining example of government run programs. You failed to mention it's pending bankruptcy, and it's approval based upon private providers. And where was your challenge of his legal issues, and the lack of Congressional investigation. Contrast that with your challenge of Congressman Pence, and I think your true colors are showing.
Mary
Greetings Mr. Wallace: Congressman Rangel appears to support this massive Health Care proposal,like other Democrats, who just want it passed and not considering the impact to the American people. We, who have coverage through our employer, should not have to pay the price for those who do not have it! Furthermore, we who have coverage through our employer, should not have to give up what we have, because of insuring Illegal Aliens! How fair is this? And why are the Democrats not reading the Health proposal, instead of making excuses! The Federal Government should not be running our Health Care - they run enough and do a poor job! If the Repbulicans are going to accomplish a "no" against this Health proposal, it is very essential that they present counter-proposals, instead of talking about it. Additional taxation to this country, will bring down more small businesses and what is the "working family" going to have left?
Linda Vaughan
I don't want you to give Rangelthe opportunity to get publicity. He is another cheat in the House, he doesn't even pay his own taxes. No surprise he is for raising taxes he doesn't pay anyway,for a health care program he won't participate in.
Jeff
DeMint asked Rangel a question which Rangel failed to answer, namely why not allow insurance companies to compete across state lines. This is a big deal, Rangle didn't answer an you let hme get by with it by bashing the repubicans. Not bad if you can ge tby with it.