Here are two videos from the HonkNo campaign that occurred today. These are both from Tucson and right outside CD-8′s Gabrielle Giffords’ Congressional office on the southwest corner of Pima and Swan Road.
Video: JD has been there for the Tea Party movement; let’s be there for him
March 16, 2010 By 19 Comments
59% of Arizonans in the 8th District Oppose the Health Care Reform Plan
March 16, 2010 By 10 Comments
The U.S. Chamber just put out this Press Release showing 59% of Arizonans in Gabbie Giffords district opposing the current health care reform plan. Jonathan Paton should take advantage of this data.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 15, 2010
Contact: Blair Latoff 202-463-5682
U.S. Chamber Poll Shows Arizonans Opposed to Current Health Care Reform Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today released a public opinion poll showing that 59% of Arizonans in the 8th district oppose the health care reform plan currently being discussed in Congress while only 32% support it. The poll of 400 registered voters was conducted March 8-10 by Ayres, McHenry & Associates to gauge support for health legislation currently being proposed.
“There should be absolutely no question in anyone’s mind how Americans view this health care bill,” said Bruce Josten, executive vice president of Government Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “This legislation is among the most unpopular proposals in recent memory and Members of Congress would be well advised to listen to their constituents concerns.”
The Chamber commissioned polls in 10 key congressional districts—all of which showed voters oppose current health care legislation being discussed in Congress, with substantial majorities saying it will raise the cost of their health care. Polling showed voters in the selected districts are more likely to support their representative if he or she opposes the bill – even in districts where that vote would represent a switch from their vote last fall.
Highlights of the Arizona poll findings include:
…………….Overall Independents
Support 32% 27%
Oppose 59% 63%
STRONG SMWHT SMWHT STRONG DON’T
AGREE AGREE DISAGR DISAGR KNOW
The reforms being discussed will raise my 46% 14% 13% 20% 8%
health care costs.
The reforms being discussed will increase the 55% 15% 9% 13% 9%
deficit.
The reforms being discussed will cause my taxes 56% 15% 10% 13% 6%
to go up.
The reforms being discussed will expand 56% 16% 10% 15% 4%
government control over health care.
Any new taxes and fees charged to health 55% 12% 13% 14% 7%
care companies will get passed on and
will mean higher health care costs for me.
The entire poll is available at: www.uschamber.com/assets/uscc/az8toplines.pdf
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
# # #
U.S. Chamber of Commerce | 1615 H Street, NW | Washington, DC 20062-2000
www.uschamber.com | www.chamberpost.com
Importing “Prime Minister Question Time” would increase government transparency
March 16, 2010 By 4 Comments
by Nick Dranias
Goldwater Institute
National Sunshine Week is a great reason to celebrate something Americans could learn about government from the mother country. When President Barack Obama debated Republican legislators earlier this month about expanding government control over health care, it evoked the centuries-old British tradition of “Prime Minister’s Question Time.” Although Obama’s several-hours-long experiment was not exactly scintillating television–even for CSPAN–there is every reason to believe importing “question time” could spark a new level of transparency in American government.
Since 1961, question time has been formalized into what amounts to a 30-minute weekly debate between the prime minister and parliament. Unlike scripted American press conferences and political debates, there is nowhere for either branch to hide behind sound bites in this weekly test of intellect, persuasion, and command over public policy. Question time unavoidably brings transparency on a weekly basis to Britain’s own version of “checks and balances.”
Question time could bring transparency to state government too. A constitutional amendment proposed by former State Senator Jonathan Paton would require Arizona governors to participate in bi-weekly debates on the floor of the state Legislature. If SCR1012 passes, Arizonans will have a chance to hear directly from the Governor and their elected officials, bringing a new level of accountability to Arizona politics.
Nick Dranias holds the Clarence J. and Katherine P. Duncan Chair for Constitutional Government and is Director of the Joseph and Dorothy Donnelly Moller Center for Constitutional Government at the Goldwater Institute.
