Gallup suggests shutdown no big deal

CongressClosedGallup has posted an analysis today by Elizabeth Mendes showing historical data that details the repercussions of past conflicts on funding government ranged from none to short-lived, in terms of Americans’ concerns about the U.S. and the political players involved.

The 1995/1996 closure, which occurred when — just like today — Republican leaders in Congress and a Democratic president failed to agree on the budget, did little to impact Americans’ views of President Bill Clinton, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Congress itself, the U.S. economy, and the country in general in the months after the shutdown began.

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Bartlett challenges Taylor’s negative campaign

Mayor Dewey Bartlett

Mayor Dewey Bartlett

Mayor Dewey Bartlett challenged mayoral candidate Kathy Taylor this morning to provide sources and facts about the untruthful claims in her latest barrage of negative advertising.

“There is a glaring lack of evidence to support the claims she makes in her latest round of negative ads,” said Bartlett. “Her claims are either flat-out untrue, or huge stretches of the truth. Kathy Taylor needs to hold herself accountable and provide sources in her negative ads if she wants Tulsans to believe anything she is saying.”
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Exchange buyers beware

By John D. Doak, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner

HealthcareExchangeAfter years of political disagreements and court battles, open enrollment on the new health insurance marketplace is finally upon us. While many Oklahomans, including me, are against the federal law, it is a reality for the time being. If you do choose to purchase health insurance from the exchange, it is extremely important for you to be educated about the process. One wrong choice could end up costing you thousands in unexpected costs.
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We don’t have a plan to blow up the bridge—or the healthcare system

By Jane M. Orient, M.D.

bridgeIf it’s your bridge, and not one being used by the enemy in wartime, would you want to obstruct a plan to destroy it?  But what if the plan is called “healthcare reform”?

Republicans are lambasted for not having a Plan. In fact, they have had many proposals to decrease costs, improve patient care, and expand access to medical care. But the great universal Plan for healthcare reform? That’s one the Republicans, and most Americans, oppose—if “healthcare reform” means compulsory government-funded “insurance” and the destruction of private medicine, private insurance, freedom of choice, and traditional medical ethics. This used to be called “socialized medicine.” 

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Ted Cruz, we’ve got your flank

By Matt Barber, Liberty Counsel

TedCruz2

Senator Ted Cruz

Opinion:  With his inspirational and unprecedented show of leadership on the floor of the U.S. Senate this past week, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, made hundreds of enemies in Washington.

But more importantly, he made millions of friends across America.

When you have both liberal Democrats and mealy-mouthed establishment RINOs (Republicans in name only) allying against you, you know you’ve got the bead over the beltway “good ol’ boys’” center-mass. Mr. Cruz emasculated, delightfully, Obama’s political yes-bots on both sides of the aisle.

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