As Senate Votes On Multi-Trillion Dollar Bill, Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Continues To Rise

Fri Nov 20 — 9:00pm

As U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) prepares to cast his vote in favor of the Democrats’ $2.5 trillion government-takeover of health care tomorrow night, it’s worth keeping in mind three important and related numbers:

8.8 percent: That is the October 2009 unemployment rate in Pennsylvania, according to preliminary numbers released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics today. Since Specter and his Democrat primary challenger, U.S. Representative Joe Sestak (D-PA), voted for the trillion dollar stimulus package more than nine months ago, the unemployment rate in their state has steadily risen, from 7.5 percent in February to 8.8 percent in October 2009.

$1.42 trillion: The federal budget deficit for 2009 alone totals $1.42 trillion - a number higher than the total national debt for the first 200 years of the United States. During the month of October 2009, the deficit increased by $176.4 billion, setting another all-time record.

$100 million a day: While Senate Democrats brag that their health care bill "reduces the deficit by $130 billion over the next decade," they leave out the fact that interest payments on their so-called stimulus bill total $347 billion over the next decade - an average of $100 million a day.

"Unfortunately for Pennsylvanians, the federal deficit has soared to record highs and unemployment has steadily risen ever since Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak voted for the so-called ‘stimulus’ package in February," said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson Marchand.

"Now as his constituents struggle through this economic downturn, Specter is supporting another massive $2.5 trillion government-run health care bill just one week after Sestak voted for similar legislation in the House," Wilkerson Marchand continued. "Obviously Specter and Sestak haven’t learned anything from the Democrats’ failed stimulus debacle, but no matter who reaches the General Election, Pennsylvanians won’t forget their tax-and-spend records next November."

Background Information

Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Rate Was 7.5% In February 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Rate Was 8.8% In October 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

As Fisher Endorses Democrats’ Multi-Trillion Dollar Health Care Takeover, Ohio’s Unemployment Continues To Rise

Fri Nov 20 — 8:50pm

With a health care vote in the United States Senate scheduled for tomorrow night, Ohio Democrat Senate hopeful Lee Fisher today announced his strong support for his colleagues’ $2.5 trillion government health care takeover.

In a campaign fundraising solicitation sent to his supporters, Fisher urged U.S. Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) to support the legislation, claiming "this reform bill will finally provide nearly universal access to quality, affordable care."

As Fisher attempts to convince Buckeye State voters he deserves a promotion to the Senate, it’s worth keeping in mind three important and related numbers:

10.5 percent: That is the October 2009 unemployment rate in the state of Ohio, according to preliminary numbers released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics today. Since Fisher enthusiastically endorsed the trillion dollar stimulus package more than nine months ago, the unemployment rate in his state has steadily risen, from 9.5 in February to 10.1 percent in September to its current number.

$1.42 trillion: The federal budget deficit for 2009 alone totals $1.42 trillion - a number higher than the total national debt for the first 200 years of the United States. During the month of October 2009, the deficit increased by $176.4 billion, setting another all-time record.

$100 million a day: While Fisher’s would-be Senate colleagues brag that their health care bill "reduces the deficit by $130 billion over the next decade," they leave out the fact that interest payments on their so-called stimulus bill total $347 billion over the next decade - an average of $100 million a day.

"Unfortunately for Ohio, the federal deficit has soared to record highs and the state’s unemployment has steadily risen under the Democrat leadership in Ohio, and Lee Fisher has promised to continue that pattern if he makes it to Washington by serving as another rubber stamp for Harry Reid and President Obama’s failed economic agenda," said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson Marchand.

"As Ohio families, seniors, and small businesses struggle through this economic downturn, Fisher is now endorsing another costly bill after backing the failed stimulus debacle," Wilkerson Marchand continued. "Fisher’s continued support of the misguided legislative agenda of Democrats in Washington will be a major factor should he receive his party’s nomination for next year’s Senate race in Ohio."

Background Information

Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Was 9.5% In February 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Was 10.1% In September 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Rose To 10.5% In October 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

As Senate Votes On Multi-Trillion Dollar Bill, California’s Unemployment Continues To Rise

Fri Nov 20 — 8:40pm

As U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) prepares to cast her vote in favor of the Democrats’ $2.5 trillion government-takeover of health care tomorrow night, it’s worth keeping in mind three important and related numbers:

12.5 percent: That is the October 2009 unemployment rate in the state of California, according to preliminary numbers released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics today. Since Boxer voted for the trillion dollar stimulus package more than nine months ago, the unemployment rate in her state has steadily risen, from 10.6 percent in February to 12.3 percent in September and now 12.5 percent in October 2009.

$1.42 trillion: The federal budget deficit for 2009 alone totals $1.42 trillion - a number higher than the total national debt for the first 200 years of the United States. During the month of October 2009, the deficit increased by $176.4 billion, setting another all-time record.

$100 million a day: While Senate Democrats brag that their health care bill "reduces the deficit by $130 billion over the next decade," they leave out the fact that interest payments on their so-called stimulus bill total $347 billion over the next decade - an average of $100 million a day.

"Unfortunately for California families, the federal deficit has soared to record highs and the state’s unemployment has steadily risen ever since Barbara Boxer voted for the so-called ‘stimulus’ package in February 2009," said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson Marchand.

"Despite the economic difficulties facing her state, Boxer has signaled that she will support another massive spending plan tomorrow when the Democrats’ $2.5 trillion government-run health care bill comes to a vote," Wilkerson Marchand continued. "Obviously Senator Boxer hasn’t learned anything from the Democrats’ failed stimulus debacle, but Californians won’t forget her record when they cast their ballots next November."

Background Information

California’s Unemployment Rate Was 10.6% In February 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

California’s Unemployment Rate Was 12.3% In September 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

California’s Unemployment Rate Rose To 12.5% In October 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

NRSC Calls On Carnahan To Explain: Would You Vote For $2.5 Trillion Health Care Takeover?

Fri Nov 20 — 7:31pm

As the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on a $2.5 trillion government-run health care plan Saturday, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) called on Democrat Senate candidate Robin Carnahan (D-MO) to tell Missourians whether or not she would vote to move this bill forward if she were elected to the United States Senate.

According to a recent report from the Associated Press, Carnhan said she "is both excited and concerned about House-passed legislation that would overhaul the nation's health care system. But Carnahan, who is Missouri's secretary of state, declined to specifically say Tuesday whether she supports the bill."

To watch Carnahan’s comments, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcMH_70Tf9g

Late Wednesday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) finally unveiled the massive, government-run health care bill that he and just two other Senators spent the last few weeks writing behind closed doors. The Senate is scheduled to vote on whether or not to move the legislation forward Saturday night at 8:00 p.m.

"As Robin Carnahan attempts to convince voters that she deserves a promotion to the U.S. Senate, her would-be constituents in Missouri deserve to know specifically where she stands on her fellow Democrats’ plan to radically overhaul one-sixth of our nation’s economy," said NRSC spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson Marchand.

"Carnahan needs to tell Missourians: If she were in the Senate today, would she stand with Democrats in Washington and support this costly and controversial government take-over of America’s health care system, or would she represent Missouri with an independent voice and oppose moving this bill forward?" Wilkerson Marchand concluded.

Key Facts About Harry Reid’s Government-Run Health Care Bill:

Total Number of Pages: 2,074

Spending: The actual cost of the bill is $2.5 trillion over 10 years of full implementation (2014 - 2023). The $894 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score disguises its true cost due to the fact that many of the major programs do not take effect until 2014.

Taxes Increases: Taxes will go up $493.6 billion - nearly half a trillion dollars.

Medicare Cuts: Medicare will be cut $464.6 billion - another half a trillion dollars.

Abortion: Reid’s bill permits the use of accounting gimmicks that will, for the first time, allow federal dollars to go to plans covering abortion. The bill does not include the House legislation’s Stupak amendment language, and as a result, the National Right to Life called Reid’s bill "completely unacceptable" and said it would "result in coverage of abortion on demand in two big new federal government programs."

Government Plan: The bill includes a government-run plan and provides states with the possibility of opting out of participating in that plan. According to CBO, the government run plan "would typically have premiums that were somewhat higher than the average premiums for the private plans in the exchanges."

Employer Mandate: The bill will impose $28 billion in new taxes on employers that do not provide government approved health plans. These new taxes will ultimately be paid by American workers in the form of reduced wages and lost jobs.