the senate keeps a the way it is. the senate has basically a caps amendment. abortion is a benefit, paid for at $1 per month. you can use federal subsidies to pay for it. that is in a nutshell on health care. i know it sounds like a long presentation. . . a nutshell and those are the differences. this is the one that affects everyone of us now and in the future. i thought it was worthwhile to do this presentation and take the time to get this through. we have about an hour for questions and will start with questions. again, we have a large crowd. i will try to repeat your question so everyone can hear it. ask a question and we will move on. be respectful of everyone. yes, ma'am? yes, ma'am? the question is how can we use

our influence to get them to include a public option? i am not sure because the senate has already voted against it. i think what we have to do and what i am hoping for, because i really want to see health care passed, i am hoping for when we go to the conference that they come up with an agreement, may be a trigger, but the way the senate doesn't there is nothing. it said, ok, you can only pay so much out of pocket, a percentage. if you want to make more money, just raise the rates in your percentage stays the same? it really does not do anything.

hopefully they work it out in conference. there are a lot of other problems with the senate bill. we felt that this was a national policy. this legislation should stand on its merits on policy and not for a special deal. public where nebraska or have to pay the estate share of medicaid. i believe that is unconstitutional. i am louisiana, so do i get $300 million upfront? all the other states lose medicare vantage within five years, but florida is to keep it? why? these have to be dropped. with all respect to senator reid who says he cannot pass health care without these deals, then he is going nowhere. house members are disappointed, like the american people. there are two things to watch.

legislation being made and sausage. -- there are two things you do not want to watch. this should stand on its merit. michigan was one of the first it's economically. -- one of worst states economically. let's pass this on policy. i always thought they would do a trigger. no greater than the rate of inflation, if it goes, trigger a public option. that is one when they talk about a compromise. that makes sense. this the one this side of the room. -- let's go to this side of the room. [inaudible]

but it could all be for naught. congress starts january 2011 and said they disagree with health care. they could get rid of it. every congress has a right to review it. congress has been talking about this since teddy roosevelt first proposed a 100 years ago. for us to get this far is a historic. look. i believe that the end of the day of all of the deals here and there, this issue, even the abortion language, there's a strong sentiment in the u.s. congress that it might not be the end of january or february, i think it is going to get worked out. there's a will to get this worked out finally. maybe senator reid had to do this to get his 60 votes to get

a village a conference. i am hoping they get it worked out. i'm waiting for the president to provide a lot of leadership for this to say this is a bill he either can't or cannot sign. work it out. -- he either can or cannot sign. i recall asking me how we're going to work out the abortion issues. there are reaching out and trying to get issues resolved. i hope it does. if it does not, as i said, if you bring it up at the end of january, maybe you do have to look at this. does -- it does not provide you for bringing it back three days later. i've seen this many times. there is time to do this. everyone wants these artificial

deadlines. maybe it is good because you make members to make a decision. it had been the fascinating for ever on health care in this country. eventually you have to make a decision. we need a health care bill eventually. [inaudible] the question is whether they will -- there will actually be a conference committee, a full blown one. i do not think so. it will be the chairman waxman, the author of the bill, ways and means, labor chairman, the ranking republican, and the senate will put their people up. they will meet a couple of times. the hard-core discussions will go on between status and members

on and off the floor region staffs and members -- will go on between staffs and members. will there be a conference of where you can see this and that? no. they will craft a bill together and say here is what we will -- we think will appease the most caucuses. i do not think there will be a true conference as we might envision it. yes, sir? nope. the question is, is it true that congress will have a different plan? no. same plan as any other federal worker. no, same. public option. all plants have to have the essential package.

-- all plans. every plan has to have the essential package with four levels. basic, enhanced, premium, and premium plus. you pick what you want and that is the same thing federal employees do now. when my sons were growing up, we were on the plans with all of the bells and whistles with young children. now we want a different plan. if i'm single, i might want a different plan. it will be the same. we'll basically have the same choices. yes, ma'am? [inaudible] the question is -- i think it wascigna. we have done if you press

conferences together. it -- i think it was cigna. he has shown us some of the ins and outs of the insurance industry and how they have the 1400 different programs that drew your reviews of your policy. if they thought you were going to put in an expensive claims than they would kicky. they have been very helpful in in some investigations i have done. he is a source of information i have used in the past. yes, sir? [inaudible] we're all concerned about spending, federal spending, stimulus. i asked myself within the last five years, where was ever a

concern of about the spending five years ago? our debt was about $5 trillion when president bush left office it was $10 trillion. we have added since then. we double that in five years and it did not hear anything. . . we passed the deficit reduction package.

no republicans voted for it. by the end of president clinton's term, we had surpluses. get the economy moving and go back to things like pay as you go. you got to pay for a program. that is why in this legislation the president said we would not increase and that is why we pay for this health care plan through the house care bill. we cannot say print more money and provide health care. everything you look at, what is the deficit? what percentage is it? as our economy grows, in relative terms of the economy, it may not be that great.

will it take some time? sure. i think we can get it back under control. pay-as-you-go. yes, sir? [inaudible] here's what we did on the house bill. the question was toward reform. ontort reform was one way of doing it. he ordered the secretary of health and human services in discussion with leaders, what are states doing to curb costs? you have access to the court. claims for tort reform and malpractice. take michigan.

michigan 1994, we have the toughest for reform laws in the nation. there were caps on damages and who could sue in to have to have a certification, all kinds of restrictions. we're the only state that said you cannot sue the drug manufacturer for harm. here where in 2009. we have one of the highest malpractice rates in the nation. we have the toughest law. there is more to it than passing caps or limiting your damages. illinois, a big city. we have detroit. chicago has never had toward reform. they have some of the lowest rates in the nation. they are like us. they are a big city. where are their differences? the state of texas past one and that seems to be working well. what they have said, look at

these. we do not start till 2013. what works and how can we do it? what do we know who they are? those are suggestions. i should have a slide on it. it is estimated it might be as much as $100 million. remember i said quality as opposed to quantity? quality based outcome. that will put standards and treatment, standards of care. that will help us establish what is malpractice and what is not. is malpractice and what is not.

>> [inaudible] en >> some of the toughest cases in the nation go to the mayo clinic. who are the toughest catechists -- advocates? at the mayo clinic. it is totally true. mayo clinic, there is a steady, a driving force behind it. the articles you read about not taking patients, there's a clinic in arizona, a two-year pilot program. read the article closely. if you want the names of the people at the mayo clinic who

testified before congress, i am going to this -- they were one of the big advocates along with many other upper midwest providers. i would be happy to provide it. we have worked with them very closely. this change going from quantity to quality with tough negotiations. the east coast and california have teaching hospitals. they have special reimbursement because they are teaching hospitals. that is great but the teaching hospitals cost us a lot of money in the system because they have the designation of teaching. we have to fight off massachusetts and miami and san francisco. we got it done. this is the best way to change the system. let's go away in the back. >> you mentioned [inaudible] and at the same time you said

that [inaudible] >> the current law is to abortion. >> [inaudible] was this based on religious doctrine or is the impact [inaudible] >> none of the above. the federal government does not pay for public abortion. if we are expanding the role on health care, those prohibitions should continue. >> [inaudible] >> yes. >> [inaudible]

>> we are changing the system from quantity to a poliquality based system. to get equality to the -- get quality to the american people. there are four levels. you can buy anything at those four as long as you get a subsidy. that has been a lot for 33 years. >> [inaudible] >> no. no. no. 40 to 44% are the ones not on government sponsored insurance. they have a policy. the federal government, those policies do not offer abortion coverage.

the same insurance companies offer federal employees and some take a writer for abortion coverage. they are allowed to do that. >> a woman who might be [inaudible] and not covered [inaudible] she would have to pay for additional coverage. >> correct. pa18% of abortions are covered under health insurance. 82% are cash payments. it is a policy we never had. the only vote on the issue, 55% of the elected representatives said there would not be of

benefit. they wanted to to put oral health care in the basic plan. that is a good benefit. the cost factor is not part of the plan. for children they will be covered but not adults. we are in the position where we have to choose what benefits we are going to fund and not fund under health care. this is one that we have chosen. after the amendment, two polls were run and 61% said we do not want funding for abortion. the march toward the americans do not want public funding for abortion. -- the majority of americans do not want public funding for abortion. let's go to the side. >> [inaudible]

>> ok. >> i continue to work with leadership and hopefully we can get this issue worked out. [applause] >> let me put it like this. there are 10 to 12 members. let me finish. >> [inaudible] >> let me finish.

we have been negotiating with leadership on this issue. i told you monday night. i expect when i go back monday we will talk some more. i hope to get it worked out. if this public funding for abortion, if we change current policy, i will read the bill, make sure if that is the last issue, i probably will not vote for. but i am not going to -- we're still negotiating. you do not play all your cards at the table when you are negotiating. this is an issue that we have the only clean vote on and the majority of american people do not want it. i would be hard-pressed to vote for something that has public funding for abortion. everyone always says no tax increase. i do not do this.

let's read the legislation and see what it says. my record is clear on right-to- life issues. i am solid on that issue. >> i don't agree with the way the bill is structured. mandating people to have health insurance. there are no exceptions for va. [inaudible] why don't you take that money and reinvest it in medicare to make it more solvent for the future. [inaudible] we can't go to a doctor to find out how much a routine visit will cost. there are routine procedures we

should be able to compare and contrast. what we do something along those lines, making it more visible -- why don't we do something along those lines, making moit more visible? >> the question is why do we do a simpler approach and why do we have transparency? there is transparency and it does apply to the hospitals in the house bill. i appreciate the sound effects but let me finish. wait. ok? all right. transparency is in there. i do not have a slide in it -- on it. if you want -- if you are concerned i am happy to send it to you. when i am trying to answer the

gentleman's question, please keep your comments to yourself. we tried to do it on pharmaceuticals. that is the one that will save as the most money. we tried to get it, we could not get it through. it can do some shopping to see what is best. the simplest way to do this, i said this is the way to do it. those who do not have insurance, let's expand medicare and let people buy into it. why don't we start at 55 and let people buy in sooner? for the people who do not want either program, why not allow the federal employees health benefit package to be available and let them pay the premium. federal employees are all over the place. why don't we do that? that was not accepted. this is the bill that came out. i stinstill think overall we are

competitive. we need health care to cover all americans for the last -- we are the last industrialized nation to do it and it is time we do it to make us more cost competitive and give you -- 62% of bankruptcies are for medical expenses. 70% of those people have health insurance. you pay for the uninsured. in your taxes for medicaid and medicare. we're paying for it directly and indirectly. >> that does not address the cost of health care. [inaudible] >> take away the antitrust exemption. why should they be the only industry not subject to antitrust laws? that is what the exchange is

going to do. every insurance policy is up there. hospitals will have to do it but i think that transparency has to expand to drugs. the doctors [inaudible] should be there. the more power you have the smarter decision you'll make. >> thank you. >> i would like to think the federal government for keeping my brother alive -- thank the federal government for keeping my brother alive. no insurance company would cover him. he is a lot thealive today. you were mentioned on rush limbaugh on being more outspoken on health-care reform than any republican in congress. i you willing to sacrifice

progress on reforming our system, by your numbers, 45,000 americans who died due to inadequate coverage. based on your position on one issue? if you do, does that demonstrate a bit of hypocrisy? >> the issue is will i give up that to abortion position and right-to-life if these other 45,000 americans die every year? does that seem like a conflict? it does. why are we changing the law in this area that is controversial? the amendment went through on november 7. on december 16, just about every member of congress voted for right-to-life language, basically the stupak amendment. all this stuff, we can do this

and we cannot vote for it. they voted for it twice. and also, december 16 in the appropriations bill. there is what my language was taken from. what i am saying to the president and the rest of them, they are saying you cannot do this. even though the american people say we do not want you to have public funding for abortion. you just signed a bill that had language in there. where are you making this the hurdle if you are concerned about those 45,000 americans without health care? we're at the table. we will see how this works out. i think we can work this out. we had an agreement on this abortion language. they insisted on a vote. they had a vote.

we won. now they want to take it away. i thought in a democracy, majority rules. so we will see what happens. stay tuned >> [inaudible] > > yes? >> [inaudible] >> yes. hospitals. brett example, los angeles. ongreat example, los angeles.

usc gets $60,000 in reimbursement. ucla which takes everybody, [inaudible] the other one, they take every one and they get reimbursed. what is the quality of care in l.a.? which hospital is going to accept you. we have to get rid of cherry picking. on illegal immigrants. if you go to the emergency room, you are entitled to care. in this bill, it does not see before you get care, show me your passport. what it says is, we have to verify it. you come in and get treated and

that we will ask for credentials. win the -- is the emergency room going to be used by people who may not be in this country legally? yes. do they have to put forth rules and regulations? yes. can we cut down on that? yes. is there amnesty for people illegally in this country? no. there is still parts of it. we are trying to address those concerns. this side. >> you said a couple times [inaudible] how come polls show that [inaudible]

[applause] >> it does rule. the question is, on the abortion issue. the majority of people have expressed their views and the polling indicates the majority do not want it. therefore, majority rules. the question as if the majority of people do not what this health care bill, why don't we just vote it down? all the information our office has, we have been receiving your faxes and the males. it is 50-50 for it and against it. when you look at the polls, heritage foundation is 85%

against. if you look at others it is 50 or 60. how you frame the question determines a lot of it. when you say, should it be a public option? it is 40% in favor. should you allow insurance policies to go across state lines and take away the antitrust exemption, it is 70%. what i do before a vote on legislation is rated. i do my vote accordingly. are we driven by polls? no. when i say majority rules, it has been clear that there have been three polls on the issue, showing should there be public funding? 64 democrats voted with me. 24 were pro-choice democrats but they feel when it comes to public funding for abortion that

is a line that will not cross. they will not restrict your rights but did not ask us to pay for. they do not fill comfortable asking the taxpayer to pay for. it is a different issue in health care. we do not rule by polling. >> [unintelligible] >> right. >> [inaudible] my question, you listed teh he different plans but you do not list the price for those. >> the basic plan and what has gone into it is said by the commission which has not even met yet. they have to pass legislation. certain things like i said,

children for under 19, dental care -- no one considers that a basic thing. mental health is not in there. chiropractic, maybe in the enhanced plan. the estimate is it is $10,000 or $11,000 a year. >> [inaudible] >> great. >> [inaudible] >> wait. >> [inaudible] [applause] >> ok. under this plan, if you have a plan, keep it. you are not affected.

and you go on line and pick the plan you want. all right? we're not going to pick it for you. if you say i do not want any, you will pay 2.5% payroll tax. we're not going to determine if it for you and make those determinations for you. this is a basic plan that has to be out there. and put it forward. >> [inaudible] >> you are being taxed right now for medicare. i have been told [inaudible] >> i hope you don't bank with social security. social security was meant to be a supplement. if you are saying social security will take care of me, that is not what it is designed for.

no one has lost their money in social security. yet. you're right. both of them because of your work are being paid into. we have more money going in than going out. there comes a time about 2018 or 2021 on health care where expenses will be greater than what is going in. right. what do you do? the easiest solution we should do as a country on social security and medicare is make all income subject to this social security and medicare tax. it is capped at $94,000. if you make more than $94,000, why should be capped? when they set up in the 1930's, it would -- it was because you

should be guaranteed an amount and if you make $1 million, you'll never get back that much in benefits and that was a reason. the administrators of social security said decants of 99.9% of the problem if you make in come, all income your income. not capet at 94,000. every year it goes up a little bit. -- not cap it at $94,000. if you are entering the workforce you do not get full benefits at 65. it is 67. it is 66 for me. that is different from my parents and younger brother paid for. there is changes going on in there to make it more solvent. i will take one more question. i will be here for a little while longer. way in the back.

>> one of the things [inaudible] so if you level the playing field, how do you [inaudible] has the motivation under the government plan, [inaudible] >> sure. the question if i can summarize, if i am a doctor have gone to school for years and i come out

and i am looking to set my practice and i get reimbursed so much. but then payments will be leveled from 16,000 in miami to 6100. what incentive is there for the doctor to put in extra time if government levels the playing field and he does not see any reward for his investment and effort in investment? is that fair to say? and being a good doctor. or onthe dcotor [unintelligible] in the first district is $185 million. doctors and hospitals are saying we have so much uncompensated care, even for the person we see and the payment may be lower. if we have the payment that is

better than what we have right now. there are administrative costs. hopefully it is going to go down. they spent a lot of time and effort and expenses and trying to collect from insurance industries and things like that. administrative costs alone in health care is probably somewhere at least 30%. it is at least 30%. healthcare is a $2 trillion dollar industry. it is 7:00 and i will be here for a while. i will be here to answer your questions. thanks for coming out and thanks for having me here. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010]

>> coming up, and vice-president joe biden addresses haitian americans and a number of political leaders on the u.s. commitment to rebuild haiti after this week's earthquake. after that, mike pence hold a meeting on health care legislation. and later, the president of communications workers of america talked-about expanding broad man -- broadband in the u.s. >> this weekend, prof. marc moyar on leadership. also, peter sis on growing up in czechoslovakia. for the complete

schedule, go to booktv.org. c->> c-span radio, c-span 2, and links to podcasts are free and available from the app store. >> earlier today, president biden talked to political leaders about commitment to rebuild haiti. she was joined by janet napolitano and bill nelson. -- he was joined by john and paula, and bill nelson.

>> earlier today, all of us met with a very impressive group in little haiti of asian-american leaders are elected officials, state representatives, and others, as well as members of the business community, medical community, nurses, doctors. then we went to haiti to meet with the archbishop and pastor and a number of other priests and parishioners engaged in getting things moving. at the outset, i would like to point it to you that i have been, we have been absolutely out its -- stunned by the respons.

the pastor of the church, a meeting us at the recreation center and trying to give comfort to the community. he just lost family himself, and he found out this morning. one of the priests who was there, he looked devastated. he had just literally heard minutes before a loss of a close family member, i think it was his brother. literally everyone, including patrick gaspar. he has lost family. it is one thing to rest monticellite so significant proportions. -- responds to a crisis of significant proportions. it is another thing to respond when your flesh and blood has been victim.

our prayers go to all haitian americans and others to a family and close friends caught in the midst of this devastating disaster. the images we all see on television are devastating for the average american. i cannot imagine how silent, how the silence of contacting buy a cellular phone in haiti and hearing nothing on the other end, how deafening that silences were so many haitian americans. i cannot imagine how a searing the pain is at this moment. the tragedy in haiti is unimaginable. in public life, we tend to use adjectives that heightened a

description of a circumstance. sometimes it results in hyperbole. but this is close to unimaginable. you saw what we went through with katrina and rita. we lost several thousand people. here, we're talking about tens of thousands dead. a city, our region from the epicenter out is to look at the -- if you look at the telemetry map, this is absolutely devastating. devastating and beyond recognition. the american government and people are responding in a way that makes me once again proud to be an american. yesterday, i was kidding longstanding commitments of

three or four weeks to visibly trustco louisiana, and new orleans, louisiana. -- so fema is actually delivering the goods for the last year. there is still a great deal to be done. i am meeting in an area of the parish, the largest parish in louisiana, lake charles is, housing recently built for the elderly. i walked into a community room, and the first questions they asked me are how can we help the people of haiti? there are just getting off their feed -- they are just getting off their feet. they are still devastated, and

they're organized. the fire crew was decimated. the police was decimated. and we have volunteers that say they are ready to get down there, to go to haiti. so ladies and gentlemen, this is an effort an undertaking with the fall, a total, unrelenting support of the president of the united states and the united states government. we are moving this as quickly as is possible. we are moving aggressively, with all assets available to this gunman. we are saving lives and beginning a recovery. but to put this in focus, there is one airport. the entire world is trying to get help. we are only able to land because of one apron in the airport, one taxiway, 28 aircraft a day from

all over the world. that includes the united nations trying to resupply their people. that includes the ability to refurbish and try to get back on its feet 7000 folks on the ground. we're able to get yesterday 17 airframes. we have capacity for 700. so i want the american people to understand that we are here in the position of trying to help another country, going by, as we should, their priority. they are telling us what they want is first. so the first question is why didn't you send in 81st airborne? because we're being told that now what we need, and we know

what they need. search and rescue teams. if secretary geithner teams in, these are the best in the world coming to get those vivid images -- people caught between slabs of concrete. voices heard from a low, trying to get them out. that is the first priority. the other priority is they need water. they just need water. i want everybody to know that this first 72 hours, this first week, it is pretty hard to get everything in there we have the capacity to get in there. it is like putting a bowling ball through a straw. this is the tail end.

to airlift all of this invoice, from the d r to every other airport in the region, we are looking to be able to get them over land in seven hours or eight hours. so we're doing everything in our capacity to do this. right now, there is help, and much more is on the way. with each passing day, more and more people will greet the haitians, in desperate need of our help. we have already begun one of the largest recovery missions in history. search and rescue teams from california, virginia, and florida are on the ground. discard has responded with ships they had available to them, and help customers -- the coast guard has responded with ships and helicopters.

the aircraft carrier uss vincent has arrived with over 3000 men and women on board, and it is already moving we are moving people in and survivors are getting out. we have arrested a number of americans and haitians. american cities, american citizens. this is just the beginning. the marine expedition unit is on its web -- way. if we can now get into a port, we will get over land. we are using every available tool that we have to try to get

-- what is your face -- phrase? mass on target. the target is big. the mass we have is enormous. but the bottleneck is how physically we can get it there. so i want to begin by thanking our military for the incredible job your doing. the admiral, the coast guard, everyone. the president made it clear in the situation room, saying general, anything you need, anything you need is up the disposal of this rescue mission. here at homestead, they are supporting rescue teams and the development of a mobile energy response system, sending in water or crops, meals,

hygiene's supplies. there is an investment coming on more of everything the people of haiti need, including the ability when we get the 82nd on the ground, more security on the ground. everybody knows how this works. everyone knows how works. initially, everyone is so focused on staying alive. after that, there's a tendency for fear and panic to set in. bad actors kept are acting backer is clearly working closely with regional and international partners and the government of haiti. we're standing up for their ability of representing people. this has been a total collapse

as a country as a consequence of an earthquake. so we're going anywhere we can get and bring every resource we have. this is not just let's get relief and food and water and shelter. but right now, art farmer -- i'd think our primary focus is searching for survivors.

not just the days and months ahead, we will be there for the haitian people. it is one thing to provide hope. our objective is to help them build a better future. thousands of americans have already responded by their donations. hundreds of thousands is the sum total of our military personnel, land, air, and see, and what they are doing. there is one way to help. the most significant way to help is a financial donation.

the un, ngo forces, they can in fact have the wherewithal to find what is needed. it is hard to get bulk in there in the near term, so what we need to do is we want you to donate. go to www.whitehouse.gov to learn how you can make a difference. it is the mark of america's generation and humanity that so many of us a heard the stories, saw the tracks children, and we said we have got to help these people, we have got to do everything possible. that is the response from all around the world. but it is most important at that we act in a way they can do the most good now, and that is to be able to send a check. i think the brave men and women

of our armed forces who have been doing this from a long time now, imagine their frustration. i know they get everything from doctors to nurses to all kinds of material, and they can only get so much out, because it is so difficult. . .

>> they are able to look their kids in the eye and say, "we have a future better than the past we left behind." i want to thank and god bless the troops that are here. god bless the people of haiti. it sounds corny, but they need our prayers right now as much as they need our aid. i would like to yield to the secretary of homeland security, janet napolitano. >> thank you, vice president.

i echo our thanks to the men and women here working on this effort. we think those already in haiti and those who are waiting at home ready to stage into haiti as the bowling ball moves through the straw and we get the help on the ground where it is most needed. i want to add a couple of things. first, as the vice president has said, the united states is fully committed to this effort, not just today or tomorrow, but for the long term. there's a lot of rebuilding that will need to be done in haiti. that will be done with the haitian government, the united nations, and our international partners as an overall effort. as the rebuilding is done, in

the short term, our needs are very definitely. we need to be able to get in medicine, medical supplies, medical personnel. we need to be able to get in water systems so that possible water can be stored -- so that potable water can be stored. we need to get unskilled urban search and rescue. the airplanes we have are dedicated to the highest needs. those are the needs that have been identified to us by the haitian government as part of the international set of wings now going into haiti. as the vice president said, yesterday there were 48 lives into haiti. 17 of those came from here. -- yesterday, there were 48 lifts into haiti. 17 of those were from here.

we do not know how many of the future ones will be from the united states or here. the precious air space is like gold. now. many of the american public have talked about chartering flights to come in independently and bring in their own goods and personnel. there will be a time for that later on. right now, we are asking that all the precious airspace be coordinated through here so that we meet the highest needs as identified by the haitian government and is common sense would dictate to us. çówe need to meet those needs wh that precious air space right now. secondly, the highest need -- the amazing generosity of the american people we have seen time and time again. the vice president saw it in new orleans last night. i have seen it in my travels as the secretary. we would reallyñr emphasize and

ask that that generosity be in the form of donations of money that can then be used by the nonprofit organizations for the best and highest need on the ground as those needs are identified. as you can already tell, we do not have the capacity to airlift in lots of additional goods, food, clothing, and the rest. some of it will end up going to the dominican republic. we will be able to truck it over. we're looking for ways to move goods, services, and personnel over time. the number one need of all of these groups is just plain cold cash. the white house has consolidated all of it. www.whitehouse.gov

/haitiearthquake is where donations can go. as widely reported yesterday, i signed the order to begin the order of tps status for haitians already in the united states. this is an intermediate immigration status that allows those here to remain and to work. as they work, many send remittances back home. this in itself is a form of support to haiti and a form of economic assistance to haiti. to qualify, you must of been in the united states before january 12, the day of the earthquake. if you qualify, you should go to uscis.gov there is information there to provide you with how to get the

tps status. it will be good for 18 months from the date of issuance. that will be in july of 2011. for haitians in the country who were here before the earthquake, we are now opening up the process of tps and intermediate immigration status for you. i would say lastly, please, if any haitians are watching, there may be an impulse to leave the island to come here. you will not qualify for tps status. you will be repatriated back into achaea. this is a very dangerous crossing. lives are lost every time people try to make this crossing. please do not have us divert our necessary rescue and relief efforts going into haiti by trying to leave at this point. it is time to focus all of our

efforts collectively with haiti, the united nations, and international partners on rebuilding this devastated country. it is now my pleasure to turn the podium over to someone who has been with us through all of these efforts, florida senator nelson. >> the generosity of the american people is self-evident. it is also evident in the generosity of how the government of the united states has responded. you can see that this is a well- coordinated effort. the military knows how to take care of business. they are doing that to the best of their ability to get into haiti. the coordination among all the agencies of government is there to provide this search and rescue and relief.

mr. vice president, madam secretary, thank you for your very quick, prompt, and detailed attention to this. we thank you. god bless you and god bless america. >> on a regular basis, the administration will be updating you as we get more information as things begin to be clear as to what is happening on the ground. we'll let you know exactly what is going on was standing at the u.n. and getting the roads cleared and putting in personnel. we will be keeping you updated. thank you all for being here. i also want to thank the firefighters for being here.

[captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> up next, the indiana congressman mike pins hold a town hall meeting on health care legislation. on the communicators, they will talk about expanding broadband in the u.s. the second court of appeals will hear oral arguments that the side of the fcc policy of the broadcast of curse words violates the first amendment. >> republican partisanship mike pence holds a town hall meeting in bluffton, indiana. he is joined by other members of his party to oppose the health care bill. this left about one hour and 25 minutes. -- this lasts about one hour and

25 minutes. >> this is a building we are proud of. a lot of events happen here. welcome to bluffton. we have quite a few elected officials in the crowd. i would introduce all of them, but i know i would miss somebody and be in trouble. we are glad you are here. it is the custom to begin each one of these meetings with an indication -- invocation. ed swartz is here to do the honor. >> all those who are standing and willing, please stand. god, prayer is a gift. we're thankful for this opportunity. we have expressed interest in things that happen on earth, here in the united states, and in indiana. we thank you for those in government who have a heart for

you, for people, and for doing what is right. we pray for him. please continue to give him a grace and strength every step of the way. please be with him and his wife and family. protect them and keep them from harm. there are always things that try to get into our lives that are spiritual in nature or emotional or physical. we. the protect him and his family. we're thankful for his heart for the military. we're thankful for his heart for family. we're thankful for his heart for pro-life and the things that will be instrumental in the issues related to marriage. we're thankful for these things. above all, father, we. your name would be glorified in everything that happens. we pray that we would all express ourselves with respect. in jesus' name, amen.

>> if you would, remain standing or stand again as officers and t andy ellis leads us in the pledge of allegiance. >> i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> now, you may be seated. >> you may wonder why one of the only democrats in the county is introducing a republican congressman. we have become good friends over the last 10 years and we do agree on the ultimate ends.

we do agree on what is right and wrong. he was elected to congress in 2000. has it been that long? he is a frequent speaker at our annual prayer breakfast. join me in welcoming my friend and our congressman, my pa-- mie pence. [applause] >> thank you. i want to thank those that started us off on the right foot spiritually today. i came in trudging down through the snow from fort wayne. thank you for getting things started on the right foot. i am thinking that is ellis 2.0 that did the pledged for us. i want to thank the mayor and

his fine son for their service to this community. thank you for making us a welcome. we appreciate your leadership in the community every day. welcome, all. this is our first town hall meeting in bluffton this year. i am very grateful to the diehard people of wells county,. to delete those of you drove some distance and made an effort to be here through -- i am very grateful to the diehard people of wells county, and to those of you who drove some distance and made an effort to be here through the snow. we are facing some difficulties on the roads today. if this is your first town hall meeting, let me welcome you. we sent out a report of town halls recently. throughout my nine halls years

of service, we have done these -- from my nine years of service, we have done these all over the district. ñryou can get all little attitue adjustment in the town hall meetings. thank you for coming in offering that. we only have a few rules about the town hall meetings. it is especially true today. ñrwe're joined by the folks at - spanxd will be broadcasting this meeting nationally in the coming days. the first rule is, i would appreciated if you call me "mike." do not worry about titles. i would appreciate it if you would share with me your first name. i would be grateful thafor thato address to as well. if i do not like to comment, i will need your full name and social security number and address. [laughter]

the second rule is to not feel like you have to interstate 0 with a? -- the second rule is do not feel like you have to end your statement with a question mark. it is the tradition in this district that we start the year by listening. now more than ever, it is important to washington listened to the american people and their priorities. feel free to make a comment. do not be self-conscious about the additional presence here. we will give you a microphone. we look forward to your remarks. if there is a questionnaire, we will take our best shot at it. let me make a couple of remarks on an issue that is breaking as we speak across the country. despite the fact i just returned from a trip to afghanistan and i am happy to elaborate on what we saw over there, i know there is a report coming up to date about the incident that took place and christmas day in detroit.

i would like to focus on health care reform and on legislation moving behind closed doors on capitol hill as we speak today. first, let me say emphatically -- and i know i speak on behalf of my other republican colleagues in indiana and throughout the congress. we need health care reform in this country that lowers the cost of health insurance and health care for the american people in the long term. inaction is not an option. i believe we should scrap the current health care bill being cobbled together in back hallways of capitol hill. i think the day after we scrap this bill, we should go right back to work. we should develop the kind of solutions that will lift the burden of the rising cost of health insurance premiums off of small-business owners and family farmers. as i stand here today and expressed opposition and concern

about the health care reform being developed, please do not misunderstand. your congressman believes we should be dealing with the rising costs of health insurance in this country. we ought to be dealing with a boldly. the alternative we have offered and supported would do a couple basic things. number one, we would permit all americans to purchase health insurance across state lines. they would be able to purchase health insurance away by car insurance across the country. it would allow a truly competitive market place to develop for small businesses, individuals, and family farmers. secondly, we believe the time has come for medical malpractice reform and reasonable caps on punitive damages and a nationwide basis. the costs of defensive medicine and runaway lawsuits in medical malpractice lawsuits around the country is presenting an

extraordinary burden on our health care economy and insurance. we need to take many of the sensible limits we have had on the books in indiana since the 1970's and make them nationwide. lastly, the savings the federal government will receive with reasonable limits on malpractice claims in this country could be used to strengthen the current funds that exist in every state, including ours, the provide coverage for people with pre- existing conditions. i lost my job years ago. my wife was pregnant with our third. my wife had to play to the state -- my wife had to apply to the state guarantee fund. it was expensive than as it is now. the state to take those savings and strengthen those funds to deal with those issues. i believe those issues continue ever made. sensible, and criminal approach that focuses on lowering the cost of health insurance for americans and health care in the

long term and dealing with americans struggling with a lack of coverage because of a pre- existing condition. the bill moving through congress today as near as we know it does not accomplish those things. >> the legislation would raise health care premiums for struggling middle class families. it is a corner. the crisis is the rising cost of health insurance premiums in this country. it is crushing small-business owners and family farmers. according to the congressional budget office, health care premiums for middle-class families could increase as much as $2,100 for families. that is extraordinary. the cure is worse than the disease for individual policyholders.

we have seen studies from industry sources confirmed the same. this is the congressional budget office. this is not an interest group or an industry voice in the legislation move the -- this is not an interest group or an oindustry voice. the number may go higher. we do not know. i will have more on that in a moment. one of my democratic colleagues who spoke out and oppose the bill in the house of representatives is someone i quoted during the floor debate. he said the last thing you do in a recession is raise taxes. that is exactly what this bill does. the reality is that nearly half a trillion dollars in tax increases in the midst of the worst recession in 25 years makes no sense. yet, it is at the very center of this bill. millions of americans will also lose health insurance that they

currently have. let me defend that statement. one of the assurances the president has given the american people as recently as a speech on capitol hill is that if you like your insurance, you can keep it. apparently, the administration was not talking about senior citizens with medicare advantage. the bills in the house and senate include massive cuts to medicare advantage program. people with medicare advantage, the innovative new program available for millions that obviates the need to have the medigap policy will go away. you will lose the insurance you have. the business of creating these big exchanges and allowing businesses to not offer health insurance to employees if they pay an 8% tax to the federal government is going to create an

incentive where you are going to see maybe 100 million americans could lose the health insurance they currently have through their employer. it is not because the government would make their employer drop health insurance. i think a remember the president's aim at nothing in the bill would require rigid i think i remember the president saying that nothing in this bill would require you to give up your insurance. i was respectfully that it is awfully hard to keep the health insurance to have at your place of inclement if your employer cancels it. -- i would respectfully say that it is awfully hard to keep the health insurance you have at your place of inclement if your employer cancels it. -- at your place of deployment --employment if your employer cancels it. many are paying 18% of payroll and health care.

if the federal government and requires you to cover health insurance and you do, but they say can cancel it and pay as 8% and send people to these government run exchanges, what small business in this difficult economy would be blamed if they sat down with their employees and said we love you, but we have to keep the lights on and the doors open. we're going to cancel the health insurance and cindy to the government exchange -- we are going to cancel the health insurance and sent to the government exchange. there are many other objections to the bill. according to the congressional budget office and other estimates, individual premiums are likely to go up. for families, it could be several thousand dollars per year if the bill becomes law. it will have the opposite effect of the goal of most americans. it will have job-killing tax increases in this difficult economy. millions of americans will lose

the health insurance they have. it should be scrapped. we should start over immediately on sensible health care reforms that will lower the cost of health care insurance for working families and lower the cost of health care. the last thought before we go to our questions -- do we have a microphone for the crowd? you can keep queue up if you wod like to. i believe that whatever your view of health care reform, i would help every american is as offended as i am that legislation that will not just affect 1/6 of the economy, it will affect 100% of the american people is being cobbled together behind closed doors. meriden people, the national media -- the american people,

the national media have no seat at the table. it is truly appalling. the president made repeated pledges that health care reform negotiations would take place on c-span, on camera, in public. the democratic leadership in the congress i assume with the assent of the administration had determined to negotiate this massive government takeover of health care behind closed doors. you need to look no further than the headlines from christmas eve. there really offensive backroom deals made in places like nebraska and the northeast. there were carved out for individual states.

that is what happens when you do not do things in daylight on capitol hill. you have to ask yourself if the democratic leadership in the house, senate, and white house only once themselves in a few special interests in the room, what are they hiding? my view is that the process ought to take place in broad daylight on c-span. the president ought to keep his word to the american people. [applause] with that, i am going to yield the balance of our time. we have about 60 minutes together to hear your comments and questions. we will respond accordingly. what you can line up at the microphones. >> my name is amber. i live in indiana.

i have to the children. this health care debate has affected me and my family. familjust the thought of the government contracting our lives further is awful. i have a statement here. how can health care legislation ultimately be imposed against the will of the american people when it is clearly unconstitutional? there are strong indicators that there will be heavy imposed levies for those of us to refuse to pay. it is my clear understanding that it is not limited to just paying the fine. they can also take my home, my family's home. where does the government get off trying to impose such an unconstitutional thing when it is blatantly clear that it cannot be legal. they need to answer is why. it deeply pains me to think that

officials in the government could ultimately amend the constitution so that the american people would be charged and sent to prison in their state. do they plan to charges with a federal crime? that is what concerns me with the backroom deals? >> thank you. thank you for calling me mike. >> we appreciate you. we pray for you. >> this is not a point that i raised, but you are obviously aware of it as a citizen. it has not gotten much attention. one of the centerpieces is the mandate that every american purchase health insurance. it is unprecedented in american history. i believe it is unconstitutional. it would be immediately challenged in the federal courts if the president were to sign this bill into law.

why do i think that? it is because of the simple motion that this legislation would be the first time in american history that your federal government found that it had the power to order you to enter into contracts for goods and services. people will be quick to say that they have to purchase insurance if they have a car. but the federal government does not require you to buy a car, yet. we are in the car business now. [laughter] [applause] do not give them any ideas. they do not require you to buy a car. if you get a car, in some obligation to be responsible on the road. this point so well taken. by virtue of the fact that you are born or have become an american citizen, you have an

obligation to spend several thousand dollars a year, whether you need it or not or wanted or not, on health insurance. i do believe amber notwithstanding that most americans have not really focused on that issue very much. it is there. it is real. my 18-year-old son says all of his liberal high-school friends who come and give him our time every time they see me on television, he brings up this mandate to them and they are stunned. he says that none of them have any idea that when they get out of college, they will be required to purchase health care insurance whether they want to or not. they may want to buy a car with at $1,500. sorry, you are buying health insurance. it is a profoundly and constitutional issue. there's another constitutional issue. that is the whole question of equal protection in the

constitution. i do not see where in the constitution if permits the center of nebraska and the citizens of nebraska at to get a better deal with medicaid then [unintelligible] [applause] there are lots of problems here. you have focused on the biggest. >> if they did not think it could be federally challenge, why even bother? if they plan to take it to the supreme court, why even do it? >> thank you. that is a fair question. >> good afternoon, mike. i am jennifer. on a personal note, thank you for your professional nomination for my daughter to attend the military academy. i have never been able to thank you in person. >> thank you for your edge towardollar a corner daughter.

>> she is great. i have been a respiratory therapist for 25 years. as we talk about health care reform, medicare also needs to be looked at. we talk about the medicare cuts. a lot of people do not understand that when the medicare bills were written decades ago, many of the health care opportunities that we currently have are not even a part of medicare. they are costing patients hundreds of millions of dollars. they're costing the united states government hundreds of millions of dollars. because i am a respiratory therapist, i will speak directly to that profession. we all know that lung disease is the fourth leading cause of all

medical diagnoses. when you look at the reimbursement of medicare on those types of patients, a respiratory therapist cannot provide care to a health care -- of home care or nursing home patient because our services are not reimbursed. only the services of a physician or nurse. i have been a therapist for 25 years. if i go teach a smoking cessation class to chronic pulmonary disease patients, i am not reimbursed by medicare. not only is there an issue of medicare spending and cuts, where there are cost-saving ideas, they are wiped out completely. they do not want to open up the bills include things. medicare will pay for hospitals and emerson house. medicare will not reimburse for assisted living. you have millions of people that would benefit and be a lot less

cost if we could get reimbursement. as we look at health care for fof form, we should look at how to make the system more efficient. there are a lot of professions like mine. respiratory therapy did not exist when the bills were written. we do not show up in them. when you look at the disease processes and the millions of dollars spent on the lung disease world, we are a population of smokers in the state of indiana. i have amazing numbers of how many people in india that suffer from lung disease. they cannot get reimbursement for the reimbursement is denied. >> that is a great point. originally coming coming from someone in the health care industry. -- particularly coming from someone in the health care industry. i like to focus. i do not think the american people want health care plan as much as they want a healthy

american plan. we want to encourage incentives in the tax code that will encourage people to live healthier lives. a number of corporations around the country have begun to tie their premium costs to the employees. if you pick your goal weight, if you quit smoking, if you have been exercising on a regular basis, if you are creating an incentive for lower premiums. you are talking about not investing in the kinds of things and encouraged -- >> they will not allow the experts to do what we are experts on. we would be able to save money. a respiratory therapist could work in a nursing home to of the residence prevent the money. it would save medicare millions of dollars. the nurses are busy doing

nursing things. they do not want to deal with that. it is amazing. >> it is a powerful issue. i would love to hear more from you about it. i want to give you a pen and paper. we need to get to the next person. what you are hearing here is someone mr. within the current medicare system -- we are hearing here is that someone already in the medicare system is that it does not cover a lot. the overwhelming majority of people on medicare feel the need to have a gap policy. another centerpiece of the bill is $500 billion in proposed cuts in medicare. everybody in washington says that but they know they are not going to do it. people who say this bill is going to save money in the deficit are saying with a straight face they will cut half

a trillion dollars out of an already woefully underfunded system. >> there are best practices not being used. they are not even been looked at. i have a request. please contact mike ross was written houthe house bill. it is to amend it to a lot of respiratory therapists to be reimbursed. it would be the start of dealing with the least part of that. >> and the bill to the guys in the back. -- give the bill to the guys in the back. i will talk to him. >> good afternoon. my name is rick. my problems with the health care. i am lucky i am standing here now. our family just experienced a tremendous problem my brother is lucky to be alive. i firmly convinced of the good of a hospital with me.

machines kept him alive. he is doing better now. he would not go to a doctor because he cannot afford health care. for 55 years he could. with health care going up so much, he could not afford it no more. we're looking at over six digits and hardship on our family. i hear you talk. i think you are a good guy. i think you are doing some double talking. you guys have the white house for eight years. you have had the opportunity to resolve a lot of health care issues in the past. we have another party that is trying. you guys are the party of no. i have a problem with that when my brother is in critical condition fighting for his life and he is looking to be alive now. when we talked about health care just a few years ago, where i worked at, 200 people lost their jobs. the company closed the doors and file bankruptcy. it was a self-funded company.

everyone of them got nailed on health care. my wife was pregnant. i that nailed for $5,000 because i could not pick up cobra because we were self-funded. if we have health care we could pick up existing, i could've gotten it. i could got it for my brother. my family is a hardship. we can talk all we want to relive a serious problem with health care. if all you guys in washington to get your heads together and stop fighting so much. thank you so much. >> thank you. i am glad you got your brother to the hospital. let me say that understand the frustration. i want to concede the point that the republicans did not take it on. they did not deal with it. they did a number of things i did not agree with. that began with doubling the

national debt and for six years. that was my own party and my own president. i want to assure you that the party of no thing is a catchy phrase and label. if you go to gop.gov, you can read in statutory language the bill i described. the republicans have offered a bill that would deal with pre- existing conditions and lowering the cost of health care through malpractice reform. it would allow families like yours to find health care that would meet their needs during times of transition by buying across state lines. i take your point. looking in the rearview mirror, there's plenty of blame to go with iaround. that is no excuse for the back deal approach going on right now.

the process is frustrating. i agree strongly with that. >> i am glad to have you here today. i am joyseph lamar. i am retired from the military. i do not have a public health care because recovered well with that. -- because we're covered well with that. i was wondering if there could be any charges against these people who have sold our country down the drain with the program going on now. is there anything that can be done about that? >> something can be done in november about that. [applause] let me also say that long before

that, maybe i am just hardheaded. i have been accused of force. -- i have been accused of worse. but i do not think this is over by a long shot. the american people of look at the government takeover of health care. the more they look at it, the less they like it. i am reminded -- as someone who is one uniform and knows what makes this country great. i responded oreminded of alexann giving a tour of the congressional building. the french diplomat snatched it out and really it was on the floor. -- the french diplomat sniffed at her out and really it was on the floor. alexander hamilton told in that

year, the people govern. i believe that is still true. the turnout on a blustery day like today in bluffton, indiana, what we've seen since town hall meetings with females and telephone calls, people will continue to let their voices be heard -- what we have seen with town hall meetings, email's, and telephone calls, people will continue to let their voices be heard. i have not given up on being able to stop hizbollathis bill g shot. if they're not heard between now and november, i guarantee there will be heard in november. >> i think the concern i have is that we seem to be in a rush to do something about something that has been out of control for a long time. we want to push this through so we can say we got done in the first term of president barack obama. i think we need to get the reset button.

we need to look at it in open -- we need to look at in an open mike. it is in closed chambers for discussion without the representation of the gop party as well. that is part of the process. -- we need to look at it in open light. we need to slow down, put the bill in open light. we need to talk about it openly and fairly and look at the real issues. i am going to get to a question in a minute. we do have the announcement of the resignation of two significant senior senators. i do not know the nature of why they are resigning. i do not take a lot of stock in the internet stuff i see around.

the one that surprises and concerns me is that apparently, the head of the house of representatives, nancy pelo si, has purchased a new airplane to fly from california to washington. she is spending taxpayer money to be transported from washington to california so she does not have to fly commercially, as i assume that you and others do. i do not know what her deal is. she is not any better than you or i are. i think she might be amazed at what she would hear on the airplane if she were on there with everyone else. [laughter] my question is, what is the

hurry? i know we need reform, but what is the hurry? >> i will leave your comments about the speaker and her travel -- i will leave it there. let me speak to -- i think he really asked the right question. i do not think it is a conservative or liberal question. an interesting thing that has happened the last month as how many liberals in this country have come out and opposed the bill. howard dean is among them. this is an issue. i go back to the gentleman who spoke earlier. he said when the republicans were in charge, they did not get this done. that is absolute right. point taken. let me emphasize that this is an issue that will not just affect

1/6 of the economy. it will affect 100% of the american people at the most precious and vulnerable moment in the life of your family. the policies and decisions made here are going to bear upon the life of your spouse, children, grandchildren. it is not the thing you ought to hurry. also, i believe it is wrong. it is against any historical precedent that the legislation decides to do this on a strictly partisan basis. when medicare passed in the 1960's, a lot of republicans opposed it. i do not remember the exact numbers. pretty much half of the republicans in the house and senate voted for it. ok? you can look at the exact numbers and correct me, but it was a lot. the same thing when social security past.

a lot of republicans opposed it on philosophical grounds back in the 1930's. but a large number of republicans in the house and senate voted for it. windows two bills passed, the retrieval of the product a bipartisan process that achieved a consensus. i am not commenting on the consensus achieved. i am just saying that was the process. the idea that you pass a bill of this magnitude that bears upon the lives of every american for generations to come on party lines is unconscionable. the fact that they cannot bring forward any republican support of any known -- 1 in the house, if memory serves. none in the senate. i think that ought to be a flashing red light in the democratic majority and the administration's eye saying, "this is not yet."

i want to affirm your statement as to what the hurry is. it may be driven by a political agenda or the belief that there will not be the 60 votes in the senate a year from now. that would be pure speculation on my part. i do believe it is important to reflect on how significant this legislation is and why the process of achieving some modicum of [inaudible] is a protection for the american people. this ought not to be the way you build legislation that deals with every american for the next century or more. let me recognized this gentleman. -- let me recognize this gentleman. if there are other topics, i am happy to reflect on them. >> i am glad you are here.

and the local representative for the tea party movement i got involved in. i am going to switch the subject to independent business. that is what i am in. a lot of times, it seems we have a lot of issues. you talk about a constitution giving back to the principle of freedom and liberty. but so much of the stuff coming out of washington seems to be infringing on the freedom and liberty as far as a business and to run my own efforts. i am burned with so many other things that affect my productivity. -- i am burden was on the other things that affect my productivity. i commend you for showing up to date. we've invited the other two centers to other meetings. they have not had the courtesy to show up. you are one of our representatives and i want to thank you for that. [applause]

>> is there anything we can do to get back to the foundation of the constitution and quit infringing on our rights and liberties? >> thank you for your kind words. let me tell you that you are doing it. i know that washington likes to sneer at the tea party movement. i had the great privilege of addressing the tea party in my hometown in donner park this spring. i had a profound privilege of being able to address the national tea party. i know that "the new york times" said there were only a couple thousand people there. fox news channel reported there were 1 billion. [laughter] the truth is in my mind there

were between half a million people who set aside their lives to go there and take a stand for freedom, liberty, limited government, and personal responsibility. it was inspiring. i was in afghanistan. i arrive in 2010 and currentltey encouraged. i am terribly encouraged by men and women like yourselves. you have businesses to run, families to raise, lives to live. you have said that you are going to become involved. to see a crowd like this hour on a snowy day, to see the hundreds who were here the last time we were here in bluffton, i read all my e-mail. to see all the letters and emails from all over the country from people who have

never been involved before i had a gentleman yesterday tell me why i put on the uniform and walked into harm's way for this country. it was for freedom. it was not to have the government to take care of me. it was for a government to create and preserve the conditions of freedom so that i could take care of myself. [applause] keep doing what you are doing treated that is my answer. keep doing what you are doing to make an enormous difference. -- keep doing what you are doing. that is my answer. keep doing what you are doing to make an enormous difference. i commend you for that. >> good afternoon. i want to tell you that my wife and i try to pray for you every day. my question and comment is in regards to american citizens on both sides of the age spectrum. i am wondering about the current proposals in consideration right

now either from the house or senate in regards to health care reform and how that would affect unborn children or unborn citizens. on the other side of the spectrum, and how it might affect the aging population in terms of provisions that might preclude medical assistance in some type of generative condition -- in some type of degenerative condition. could they use private funds to purchase treatment options if they are tied into a government proposal? do you know what i am saying? i have heard that might be the case. i would like to know that. i have aging parents. i am wondering what your thoughts are on that.

>> thank you for your prayers. i do not take those statements lightly. my wife and i depend on for support. we are grateful. with regard to the issue of life, i use strong language. i think it is appalling that the negotiations on health care legislation are taking place behind closed doors. there are major issues being resolved. chief among them is how we're going to deal with taxpayer support for elective abortion in this country. the house bill, thanks to bipartisan cooperation, they stood firm for what hthe amendmt that took the historic restrictions that had been on the books for a generation.

the hyde amendment said that no taxpayer dollars could ever be used to support or promote abortion at home or abroad except in cases of rape, incest, and five of the mother. taxpayers overwhelmingly supported the provision. the democrats stood firm against his own speaker and leadership. he fought and got the and in the past. i salute him for it. -- he fought for it and got it passed. i salute him for it. in the senate, there was a less successful results. i believe it was senator nelson who was the holdout on the right-to-life issue. if memory serves, he ended up agreeing to language that legal scholars and leaders of the pro- white community and informed legislators know -- that legal

scholars and leaders of the pro-lifer community notknow will help to cover elective abortion. the twisted a couple of things around and said it would come from insurance premiums. you have a government run exchange. one of those plans will be mandated to cover abortion. the only protection pro-life taxpayers have is in the bill. the senate opposes the language. i would love to tell you how the debate is going. it is happening behind closed door somewhere with representatives of the administration and democratic leadership in congress. i heard a rumor and driving down from fort wayne that the bill may be hatched in the next

couple days. i do not know. we are waiting to see. i will say that i would hope and i may even pray that all 60 of the democrats who voted for the stiff back imminent -- stupack amendment will stand and vote against it. talking about beginning of life issues, the end of life issues have been contentious. the young lady who stood up, jennifer is talking to us about working full-time with scarce resources. . .

we do cover this. that is what allocation of public resources is all about. so it is inconceivable to me as to expand the government's role in health care to the extent being proposed today, that will not ultimately bear upon the

availability of treatment and resources. the president was never more candid than on that abc town hall meeting, if you remember. late at night, they had a town hall meeting at the white house, months ago. the president commentated that if you're 80 years old, you might need surgery, you might just need to take a pill. the president said that. that was handed out, candid, straightforward. i think we ought to think long and hard to take our time before we spend on that decision, for that reason. thank you. >> thank you very much. >> yes, sir. >> i appreciate your service to our country.

a couple comments. he talked about things you would like to do after you defeat this health care travesty to lower health-care costs, but i did not hear you mention health savings accounts. i have a helped savings accounts. if i am healthy for a few years, that account builds up so if i lose my job i could afford insurance, and for catastrophic things that could happen, i have insurance for that. you talk about getting rid of crooked politicians in november. are you concerned that right now, acorn is in charge of the census taking of statistics? how concerned are you after they have been indicted for election fraud and several places, and the table college students that when into three places and got acorn to tell them how to star and a legal whorehouset -- start

and a legal -- an illegal whorehouse? >> i have been battling the so- called affordable housing slush fund for years. i was supposed to acorn before it was cool. check my record. i'm very pleased because of what was really outstanding journalism by these two college students who went in, exposing aspect and character of a number of these organizations. congress voted overwhelmingly to deny acorn fund ing, and i can give you a letter to tell you the specifics of that, but we are in the process of -- i just believe acorn is an entirely

discredited organization that in many jurisdictions is just short of criminal enterprise and should not get a dime of federal money. [applause] let me talk about health savings account, though, because i love you referencing that. it is in there, if you go to gop.gov on the internet. but let me give you a fair warning. if this bill passes, help savings accounts pretty much goes away. because they mandate in the health care exchanges what insurance companies have to cover. they mandate deductible amounts. get them an account that your employer uses, incentives to stay healthy. agree incentive idea.

if this government health care takes effect, not only does medicare go way with the advantage program, but health savings accounts, also, are essentially prohibited and would go way accordingly. you would be allowed to go to the health care exchange and purchase one of a series of private plans from private companies. what the cover is all dictated by the federal government. so you could do away with health insurance plans. thank you. yes, miss? >> thank you. thank you for standing between us and what washington wants to do to us, to make us a subject people in so many ways.

economic, moral. i thank you for standing in the gap between unborn children and their mothers, and for your efforts to keep our freedom of speech which, if washington has its way, would be altered. thank you. >> thank you for your encouragement. and you mentioned the speech issue -- it is a passion of mine. i've co-authored legislation that has passed the house and judiciary committee in the senate that would respect and reporter pause right -- a reporter's right to keep sources confidential. it would prevent any president from bringing back the fairness doctrine at the federal communications commission. [applause]

people forget the editorial page in the newspaper is as much part as the front page, and i have been a champion of the news gathering and reporting process. but also, what you hear on talk radio, and i love it, and i used to be in it, that is editorial comment, protected by the first amendment. there are forces in washington, the senator for american -- the center for american progress released a report about talk radio, some version of the fairness doctrine under the rubric of localism. the only people ought to decide what is on the radio dial in fort wayne, indiana, and in america are people who turn the knobs on the dial. period.

>> my name is michael. you used the word offended talking about health care legislation. that is not a word i would use. i would use the word infuriated. i have seen the berlin wall, served in korea, and been in socialist countries like france and britain. i understand what it means to live under a system of government like that. what infuriates me the most as i did not see washington leadership telling the american people that there's a big difference between a country founded on freedom and liberty, and one ruled by socialism and communism. i see things going off right now, right now, that 20 years ago i could not ever believe i would be here seeing today.

it absolutely, totally infuriates me. i appreciate what you do, but we have got to see some leadership in washington d.c. i am not talking about going back to the election of this president. i am talking about going back 50, 60 years. it has been a long time. we had a free press under ronald reagan, and i was proud to have called him my commander in chief. i just want to nose and a mcveigh -- know as an american, there is an election in 2010, and i want you to tell the rnc and michael steele, you may not be able to count on us this time, because we are tired.

>> thank you, michael. thank you for your service to the country. it obviously continues today. appreciate your work. >> i appreciate you sticking to our values and not being swayed by politicians. i have two comments. you say you have into afghanistan. i know congressman center has changed his view over the troops surge. i want to know if you think there is actually enough troops to do the right job over there, and the second is, general mcchrystal just came out with a comment that he wants less ground -- less air-to-ground support for troops because of collateral damage. that worries me that it puts our troops and more of harm's way -- in more of harm's way. how can they tell a civilian

from a combatant? >> let me say, i left the day after christmas. i went to afghanistan with a bipartisan group, three democrats, four republicans. we met with general mcchrystal personally, a lot of our senior team in the country. we also spent 90 minutes with president karzai, and most importantly, got out towards kandahar and heli'd to the valley. let me tell you, i kept my word that if he would give soldiers the resources they need to come home safe, he would have our support. and i expressed, the night of

the west point addressed. -- the night of the west point addressed, i addressed the need for withdrawal. it never makes sense on a battlefield to tell the enemy when you will stop fighting. [applause] i was pleased that the president responded to a call for reinforcements. but what i can report to you is that general mcchrystal answers to people like me, and i answer to people like you. i will report to you. they have the resources and personnel to get the job done. if they have time to do it. that is the issue. i've talked to leadership, to rank and file military.

they said look, the taliban has been using july, 2011, for recruitment purposes. look, i do not mind -- michael back there, soldiers always have deadlines. but you did not publish it. that is the point. would i like soldiers to move out of afghanistan by july 2011? you bet. but we ought to be moving out with the enemy completely defeated and the afghan army able to defend themselves. we have got to have credible government. we really -- quite frankly, this bipartisan delegation really locks on a deafening message sent straight to president

karzai that upcoming elections cannot be a fiasco that the presidential elections were last fall. we urge him to delay the election passed many so his people and the people of the wider community would recognize in national legislation that was truly, fairly, and openly elected. we will continue to work in a bipartisan way to push for that. assuming our guys are given the time, i'm told the president has given them what they need in terms of resources and tactical maneuver ability to get the job done. we have the finest military in the history of the world. they can get this done.

[applause] make no mistake. the strategy employed today in afghanistan worked in 2007 in iraq. it did. i want to give the president credit where credit is he said -- where credit is due. get it below. -- he admitted he was wrong. he made a decision. we need to pray for them on the ground, make sure they have resources. but we have time, and talent, and resources. thank you for asking. we have times for about 10 more minutes here. >> hello.

i am gregg, and i would like to comment on amber. she brought constitutionality and prison sentences for people who do not buy health insurance. i called senator bayh's office on campbell times -- uncountable times, and i said he ought to come here and tell carpenters' how he could support a bill like this. i did get a reply from him about can trade, so somebody got their wires crossed. but i wanted to point out his total inaccessibility. he is my senator from indiana. i would think after a person is called 20 times, 25 thinimes, yu would at least get a response from him. i run a small business in washington.

there is no possible way that i could make a contract to build a house with somebody on the order that we are making our legislation in washington. senator reid comes out and i will let you and call it a health care bill:1900 pages, 2000 pages. and he himself says he cannot read it, because he could not understand it even if he read it. and places like c-span do not put -- pick up on that, that tells me something is structurally incorrect in the whole process. i am of average intelligence, and there is no possible way i could read a 2000 page bill and begin to comprehend it in any way shape or form. as far as i'm concerned, anything before congress that is more than an easily readable

bill should just be kicked out right now it done away with -- and done away with. the people who voted for it should have to stand up with me and at the american people, and look us in the eye and say yes, i have read and understand the bill currently before congress. [applause] >> i like your analogy about the house. i love your analogy. i my -- i might take that to congress. >> feel free. we are hoping for a residual. [laughter] >> the only difference between what you do, we are building a structure every family will have

to deal with for generations without plans. we are doing it without plans. that is how it is happening right now. there was a national energy tax in cash and trade, whether the massive stimulus bill -- in this congress, when you drop a bill that is 700, 800 pages long, the day before it will be voted on, nobody will get it. nobody. the fact this bill is being cobbled together behind closed doors by handful of leaders of one-party, the senate, white house, and lobbyists, this will be strong on -- pushed on us

again within scribbled in the margins. and it is really infuriating. i really believe in an appropriations bill, long, like, including things for military hardware. trust the committee staff to do it. but any bill, every member of congress has to read the bill. to be honest with you, i would be happy if they just read the constitution of the united states of america little more carefully. it is shorter. >> thank you very much. i appreciate it. >> thank you, greg. well said. i love your analogy. hello. >> i have a concern in fact that

all of this back door stuff, what can you assure us that in november we will have a free election? i cannot really believe the election we just had was absolutely free. he did win. he was not asked to produce it birds and to predict. pelosi went in -- obama was not asked to produce a birth certificate. pelosi shot the power of so people could not vote on anything. they are being so blatant about this stuff, it is like they are shoving it in our face. they cannot think we will try to vote them off in november. so i feel they have something up their sleeves. >> i understand and appreciate your concern about acorn.

let me say that we have made great strides this year in exposing this organization. but we still have a long way to go. elections are administered by the state government, state election boards. ultimately, in indiana, the jurisdiction of the secretary of state. i believe in every jurisdiction in the country, which some individual exceptions, that we know how to do e elections. -- do elections. this is not a banana republic. there are people in every party that understand without valid integrity, you do not have anything.

i believe that will of the american people will be registered in the november election. i believe wholeheartedly. we have time for one more. i will be on a road by 4:00. >> i saved the best for last year. [laughter] i appreciate the work that we do in the congress, and i would like to know if there is any other legislation that has in its verbiage that the change cannot happen. is that constitutional, and where does that stand? that is kind of scary. >> one congressman not binding

enough. it can. the people govern. if the people's government wants to do sipping different, they can do it. i will drill down into the line when i hit washington later in the week. but there's a practical part of this that ought to create some urgency for you, for everyone here who is looking in. i believe that while there would be much that should be done, legal challenges, if the republicans took the house of representatives in 2010 and came back to power, much could be done. there is much that would be hard to undo. let's face it. the trick of the matter is that

the reason this bill has not stopped now is because once you set up these massive exchanges, once businesses are now getting their insurance in these exchanges, and these insurance do not make sense, and everybody is frustrated, i and that it puts you on a flat service for socialized medicine. the market themselves to become irreversible, and that is why i refuse to give up despite. we have got to stop this now. your congressman can make changes in the health-care system, but if, for instance, as one estimate nine months ago suggests, if 100 million americans find themselves in government-run exchanges, congress cannot pass all

lawmaking your employer offer health insurance again. once the genie gets out of the bottle here, and i really believe that not only one democrat in congress is a left- wing leader. most of them are. they know that this system will set into motion a process that moves americans from employer- based insurance to exchanges. they will not be solvent, and it will send us on a path toward socialized medicine. barney frank said to somebody who asked why he was not supporting socialized medicine, this plan would be fastest. i am paraphrasing, but he said it would be the fastest way to get this thing in.

i think that they know this. yes, there are changes we can make, and we will make them. we will fight to repeal every aspect of it and pass legislation. we will deal with runaway lawsuits. but my concern is that once this should be launched on a harbor, massive, big government health care takeover, it will be awfully hard. ronald reagan said the closest thing to eternal life on this earth is a federal program. my point to each of you who share my concerns, at the end of the day, you see that this is no way to build a road, a house, a health-care system.

make that second call. we can stop this bill immediately go to work on long- term interest of the american people. it may not have everything in eight you and i like. but i believe the responsibility is there. but we have got to stop this bill first. thank you. >> thank you, and i would like to make one comment and thank c- span for being here, and make a suggestion to them. why don't we have some closed doors as the debate is going on as a protest, because democrats allow no open debate on this subject. >> very well, sir.

thank you. >> thank you. [applause] >> thank you for your time. i know we started late, but i wanted to give us a full hour. let me say that these programs are not just an affectation for notes. if you look on the back, you will see our web address. all of the local phone numbers for our offices in richmond, muncie, and washington are there. i am easy to reach if i work for you, because i read all of my mail and e-mail. i have never got an airplane full of big packages. anything from the 19 counties i represent, i will read. i hope he will avail yourself on this -- you will avail yourself

on this. i really do believe that these are difficult times in the life of our nation. we have challenges abroad from afghanistan to iraq coming close to home and hitting home. we have the worst economy in 25 years, and massive government expansion and spending under both parties. we have this rampant era of borrowing, spending, bailouts, and takeovers. it is easy to give way to frustration. but encourage you -- i encourage you to do otherwise. i started my career as a democrat, and i have been in office nine years as a republican.

never have i seen the american people more engaged, more informed, giving voice to their values more effectively than in the last 12 months. i am encouraged by it. you should be encouraged by it. every time there were people that stood up and demanded that washington d.c. started be everything it could, washington has followed suit. i know we will get it right. thank you, and god bless you. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010]

>> hillary clinton flew into haiti today to get information on the earthquake. she is the highest ranking official to visit from the obama administration since the earthquake struck this week. she is preparing to meet with personnel working on the relief effort.

george w. bush and bill clinton spoke about the effort earlier today in the rose garden to provide aid for haiti. we will have those comments today at 8:20 on c-span. next, jim douglas the liver's the state of the state address for vermont. this is about 40 minutes.

>> we have big hopes for the generations that will follow. vermonters have mustered the strength to meet each day with wisdom, ingenuity, and the tireless work ethic of our yankee for bears. from towns and cities, they have elected representatives to bring the focus to the people's house. it is here that we carry forth are proud tradition of self government, striving to afford a state, nation, and world better than before. that work is far from done.

we must transform our public and economic framework redesigning how we deliver state services and refocus efforts to create jobs and ensure economic security. because it is to right thing to do, we must write the next chapter in the proud history of vermont. let us keep in mind as we write this chapter are friends and neighbors out serving in iraq and afghanistan, and those people being asked to defend self-government and individual freedom in a part of the world where there is too little of both. their efforts contribute to a legacy forged by vermonters, from the battle of men intend -- bennington to cedar. their sacrifice inspires us all. [applause]

i have seen time and again the will of vermonters to make better this state. i have seen putting the public good before self-interest. the past decade has been full such accomplishments. our commitment gives us

confidence to be ever vigilant. we have increased efforts for prevention and rehabilitation for those who suffer from addiction. our commitment is unwavering. it is a model for how farmers and others can work together to reduce pollution in waterways. we have led on climate change partnering with other northeastern states and the regional clean house-initiative -- greenhouse gas initiative. alternately forcing the federal government to follow our lead. our leadership sets us apart and

gives us a leg up in the economy. we are the healthiest state, no surprise. it is in our nature to be active, enjoy the of course, be healthy. we have extended it to older citizens with my commission on health the aging. we have achieved groundbreaking health reforms with the global commitment waver and catamount health. we've seen our uninsured rate dropped by 25%, and we are beginning to bend costs by combining coordinated care, health information technology, and payment system reform, eliminating duplicates services and creating a more effective and efficient system. these are delivering results at

home. ron lerose is a blueprint for success. her chronic illness was a significant challenge, draining her bank account and state resources. a full assessment was made and necessary actions were taken to get our health back on track, preventing expensive emergency room visits. not only has our health improved, but she has been able to go back to work and is enjoying life once again. i am pleased that she is able to join us today on the balcony. [applause] as we look to make programs more affordable, we only need to look at these achievements as a beacon for positive change possible when we work together.

we must partner again. we are threatened by shortfalls and a broken system of educational funding. employers are weakened by state policies that are barriers to job creation. the trajectory of the vermont economy for the next decade will be shaped by our decisions this year. if we are content to live hobbled by a flat job growth, we can deal with the outcome. but if we want to spring out of this recession strong and nimble, we must have the wisdom to act, the heart to reform, and the wisdom and bravery to stand in front of those who say it cannot be done. we must strive for a healthy and growing economy, prepare to compete with states next door in

countries around the world. compete and win. these times demand new thinking. the demand bold action. and they demand it now. the balanced and responsible budget is up the core of getting our stay on track. make no mistake, there will be many unenviable choices. solutions required to close the gap will invariably draw objection and template. -- complaint. this is not the time or place for the reflective defense of the status quo. if we put off hard decisions another year, will -- we will be left with a cumulative deficit of half a million dollars in the next several years. we took a step in the right direction when i was joined by leaders to discuss the results of our collaborative effort for sustainable savings.

our representatives and my administration worked together on a plan that will save $38 million in the general fund next year, resulting in billions more in savings down the road. this is the type of break from business as usual essential to our success. by setting this agreement into law, we can move forward with greater certainty and face tougher challenges ahead. access to our courts is one of the fundamental obligation to state government, insuring that the judicial system is unsustainable being of utmost importance. in the past year, the judiciary has pitched in to meet fiscal challenges. court closings were occasionally necessary. i know some ideas are controversial.

some change ahead from long traditions, and rebounds and can affect -- can attack constituencies. but we must take a backseat to the broader public interest. these are just two steps for a responsible and honest budget. the plan january 19 will be informed by these and other ideas to address our $180 million shortfall. 40% of services, many of the tough choices we must make will affect the system. service providers will be asked to find efficiencies. some beneficiaries will have to accept shortfalls for benefits. some grants will be reduced or eliminated.

but we will lessen these impact by redesigning services even in the most challenging economic times. we must reform. our system will work with service dividers -- providers to ease their burden. will focus on providing a clear and direct path to health, employment, and independence. success will not be measured by how much we give, but by how much we help vermonter's move from assistance to self- sufficiency is -- self- sufficiency. last year, vermont pause median household income fell by nearly $99 from the year before. -- fell by nearly $1,900 from

the year before. from on pause population is among the slowest growing in the nation, with more people leaving than moving in. these numbers tell a sobering story. if we want to get our small businesses to succeed in the global economy and attract rather than turn away people, we need to focus on the fundamentals. employers have made clear what they need to restart the engine of prosperity. lower taxes, reliable energy, a well-trained work force, and an education system that is top notch without being top dollar. [applause]

a vermont resident earning a good wage does not need assistance by the state to pay bills. that is why i called on lawmakers to put the success of vermont first. the single most consequential action we can take to the economy is to address the crushing weight of vermont pause tax burden. i am told that our heavy taxation stifles job creation, making it more difficult to retain. hiking taxes again would only sustain our disturbing demographics trends. we need to shore up the unemployment trust fund pause for a responsible and balanced approach.

changes have swelled the ranks of vermonters looking for other states light -- like florida for their new permanent residentce. those who would say good riddance, think again. we lose deeper roots of that give vermont its unique character, not to mention the tax revenue. my first choice would be to 11 all of the increases at once, but that is not feasible in the case of our current condition. instead, we must address the components most detrimental to job creation as soon as possible, and make additional tax cuts when the economy improves. dick snelling's plan to respond to the recession was a in vote many times last year. but one key element that made it palatable at the time was

omitted. i asked the legislature to honor the second critical part of the plant and enact a sunset for tax hikes and while continuing to lock down the income tax rates. [applause] the state tax was increased last year to collect greater assets. this change is particularly unfair to farmers whose assets are not mobile, a punitive tax that discourages farmers and small-business owners to pass along their lifes work, and a long run, it will have a tangible detrimental effect on revenues as individuals change residency to other states.

i asked the vermont legislators to join me in rolling back this tax increase. [applause] until we lower taxes to competitive levels, we need programs as part of our tool kit. since 2007, incentives have been authorized 40,000 new jobs and save 2000 -- saved 2000 jobs that might have been lost should employers have relocated. from small firms like vermont timber frames of bennington, to large companies like green mountain coffee roasters. as long as our tax burden remains high, i propose eliminating the budget cap. these proposals are critical in

our efforts to restore confidence and send a message at vermont is ready to compete with jobs. they still will not eat will be inevitable increase in unemployment taxes. that is why we must act this year to make the unemployment terence trust fund solvent. couple it with wage increases, a prudent course to getting this thing back on solid footing. there are additional incentives that we can make now. i renew my call to use $9 million in the federal stimulus act for job creation. this money will help train workers, provide access to capitals, and enhance our infrastructure. employers have told us what they need. now it is the time for us to listen and act.

we trip over ourselves to welcome them. we value working feverishly to keep employers here. we have a company that employs hundreds of vermonters with good wages, makes hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions and pays taxes every year, yet some are eager to shut it down. the decision is central for the economic future and maintaining a green energy portfolio. but it is a decision that should be left to regulators, away from the political fray. for the hundreds of vermonters employed who will benefit from these impacts, for the thousands of those who depend on electric rates and stable clean energy future, a legislator should vote to let them decide the case for licensing.

[applause] communications and energy factor into nearly every major decision an employer makes. in the post-recession economy, they will be in expertly linked, and they need to work seamlessly together. information, manufacturing, farming, health care, a strong energy infrastructure is critical for vermont. fortunately, we start this ticket from a solid foundation build three years of hard work, planning, and foresight. in 2007, the legislature joined me in setting out the goal of universal broadband and wireless every state. this initiative remains one of

the most forward-looking telecommunications plants in the nation. although with the recession has slowed efforts, we have made progress. vermont has been well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities provided by the recovery and reinvestment act's. while other states ask for planning funds, vermont 1 major grants for telecommunications technology implementation. with nearly $70 million, plus an additional $120 million in investment by vermont utilities were building a high-capacity fiber-optic backbone that allows next generation companies to take root and grow in our state. part of this is our smart grid, a breakthrough in energy conservation. it will help energy savings of by telling families the best way to use appliances. businesses will cut costs, using equipment when it is least

expensive, and new technologies will help cut emissions and clean our air. we're working with providers to build out our middle mile connection point to four schools and libraries across the state. the final stop in the high-speed network is every home and work face -- workplace. this is where it gets complicated. for some places, you cannot get them from here, and frankly, i do not want to change that. but for families and businesses that want to get connected and are not served by high-speed internet, i propose a program to spur local providers to build lasting connections. asked for two years, the vermont telecommunications authority was afraid of the cost of a high-speed internet connection into the home or office. providers, this is a guaranteed return for a limited window. this is not an ongoing program

for customers or providers, it is a use it or lose it deal that will speed us towards meeting our goal of universal coverage. for employers and employees alike, the attraction of a state wired from stem to stern is powerful. businesses of all sizes can be connected. small firms can be connected without sacrificing sales. tele-communications options multiplied for everybody. it wired future will be critical in our efforts to deliver services more affordably. with each new connection, the potential application rose from the office to the classroom. it is the burden of property taxes that threatens the financial security of vermont and our employers. getting a handle on this cost is essential to our economic future.

in the last decade, but total net education property taxes have nearly doubled from just over a quarter of $50 million to $900 million to get, and that accounts for only two-thirds of what vermont actually pays to support education. a third of sales taxes and a third of use tax goes to pay the bill. containing costs is the only way to halt the climb of property tax bills and make our state affordable for families and businesses. that is why i continue to fight so hard to put the brakes on spending and reform our funding system. in recent years, i called for caps on spending, but we took only a small step in containing costs. last year, renewed my call to cap spending as part of another push for reform. another year has passed, ideas offered, groups met, studies have been steady again by people, but little has been

done. despite near zero inflation, school budgets are still projected to rise to% next year. property-tax is are set to increase by $59 million. and for the first time since the enactment of act 60, taxes will increase to cover ever- increasing cost with an additional 20 cent jump over the next years, pushing residential rates 26% higher than today. these facts paint a disturbing picture of a future burdened by property taxes, suppressing the job creation and home ownership. meaningful reform must address the court drivers pushing taxes higher year after year. to cut costs, of vast -- to cut costs, we can and must change

reform, funding, and in deep, education in vermont. [laughter] [applause] since 1997, schools that in levels have increased 23%, while the student population has decreased by 11.5%. the number of teachers aid has gone up 43%. support staff, 48%. for every four fewer students, a new teacher, a teacher's aide, or staff person was hired. there are 11 students for every teacher, lowest ratio in the country, and five students for every adult in schools. with personal costs account for 80% of spending, no wonder our system is among the most expensive in the nation of $4,000 each student come each

year. -- $14,000 each student, and each year. at a minimum, you stop hiring. but some will be put quickly to scold that education is not a business. neither is conservation. but in either area, if we ignore the basics of prudent management, we imperil services being provided. until labor costs are under control, taxpayers can affect whether this threat is a healthy economy. i appreciate the difficulty of reducing personnel costs. the state has taken necessarily, sometimes painful steps to go through bankruptcy's, retirements, and layoffs. i am grateful for employees to ratified a new contract last week by a wide margin that is in

the public interest. [applause] a 3% wage reduction, frozen two years, is a meaningful and important contribution to the greater challenges facing vermont. . . while saving as much as $100 million. if you want to make education costs sustainable, when mr. turn balance to the classrooms. i propose that -- we must return

balance to the classrooms. by leveraging their retirement bubble among teachers, we would be able to achieve significant without any disruption in the classroom. this is not an early-retirement incentive, but a mechanism to fill only one vacancy for every two retirements. based on our experience in state government, it is sensible, achievable, preferable to the alternative. do for the rate in massive growth, -- to further the rate of massive growth, we establish a minimum 20% share for health insurance costs. they have accepted a 20% share as the standard contribution. our school government structures are a vestige of the nineteenth century. like our unsustainable personnel costs, it must be reformed. we have 290 separate schools districts, a state board of

education. that is a total of three and 54 educating -- 354 education government bodies compared to the just over 200 towns. there is no doubt that we have room to make our system of education more efficient and more portable. it recently issued report from the transportation policy commission outlined changes in improving student outcomes. one recommendation is consolidating its u.s. u.s. 12 districts. a twenty first century governing system can provide more than cost savings. it can allow students to explore new learning opportunities in different settings with the latest technology. reforming the outdated school government and bureaucracy is long overdue. we call for a 5% reduction in government spending in the next fiscal year additional 10%

reduction in 2012. streamlining services and consolidating district will be necessary to meet the challenge. restraining government building -- the spending will allow us to reform classrooms, technologies, and our students. a system is substantially eroding local control. each year, the connection between it and your tax bill becomes more and more distant. expanded subsidies mask the true costs. the budget you approve is not the budget you are billed for. property-tax bills increase. this is the upside-down world spun from act 60. when there is confusion, there is no control. if we're serious about reforming the system, it will become an anti action and local control will be dead. we cannot allow this to happen.

at 13 years old, our education funding regime has grown to an unmanageable may's of exemptions, deductions, predates, rebates, cost shifts, and others. we can't understand its many moving pieces. it is not good tax policy or good government. if you ask most people, it is not good for much of anything. time to let the sunshine of how education is funded. who is paying, what are we paying for? there has been a missing element since the passage of back 60. -- act 60. taxpayers are funding 1000 students that don't exist. the so-called phantom students are a creation of our system. when the school reports its count every year, it can only

decrease by 3.5% regardless of how the state actually declined. for schools shrinking year after year, this policy comedowns the distance between reality and what we pay for. i propose increasing the cap to 10% in the gradually increasing -- phasing it out. the vote for increased spending is a vote to increase property taxes. they were generous but careful. it involved programs like income sensitivity. this was a necessary safety valve to ensure that low-income people were not forced from their homes by high property taxes. over time, this program was expanded to more and more people with higher and higher incomes. what started for the less fortunate has grown into an entitlement for over 2/3 of taxpayers', some with incomes as high as $210,000.

from the school budget in perspective, subsidies distort decision making by forcing the majority of voters from the real cost of education. 70 percent of the vermonters will be shielded. when an increasing number of voters are exempted from the full share, the natural check and balance of the old town meeting is gone. while that might seem like good politics for some, it is terrible policy. each expansion of the subsidy is a shrinking number of residents and businesses. it sends spending and property tax bills ever higher, making the economy less competitive. there are over 6000 vermonters receiving a property tax subsidy that own homes a volume of $400,000 or more. of those, there are 1 under and

36 people that live in $1 million homes being subsidized. the income sensitivity payments are growing dark cloud blocking out more important priorities. this important program -- and this program is expected to grow next year, at 11% of the entire education fund, bigger than the special, technical, and adult education programs combined. the program will cost $183 million. 54% more than just four years earlier. if the cost of income sensitivity grows, it leaves less money for important education priorities. the importance of growing this is an easy one. by curbing payments on homesteads valued greater than for a bid thousand dollars, we can put the program on a sustainable course, preserving it for those that needed the most.

[applause] i recognize that changes to the income sensitivity program will impact some taxpayers. bring common sense to the subsidy is an essential step to reducing the overall cost of education and providing tax relief for all in the years to come. if income sensitivity payments were not increased this year, there would be no increase in the residential property tax rate. our goal must be to reduce the need for exemptions overtime with responsible school spending decisions and a robust tax base that allows for lower rates. proposals for education reform go to the heart of runaway spending and to stop the projected 2% increase. it dropped the rate by another penny. compared against the system left

unreformed, my proposal will result in $33 million in lower property taxes, a welcome break for taxpayers. [applause] as we work to reform education financing and bring balance back to our system, which can't lose sight of the underlying purpose to provide high-quality learning opportunities at a cost that doesn't strangle our economy, forcing children to leave in search of jobs, taking the education investment with them. drug vermont, will help students learn in different ways at different times. we must always be on the lookout for new ways to ensure the system of education is serving the needs of today's students. vermont schools are prohibited for accessing out of state programs. this is a barrier to a student that is interested in learning chinese while earning credits toward graduation. the school thought to provide the chinese program would have

to hire a new teacher with the expertise to allow students to access approved a learning programs from around the country. it is a simple, affordable change we can make to improve quality and increase opportunities. and to apply new technologies to the classroom. no longer can we settle for the old paradigm that says the only way to improve education is to spend money to hire a teacher for a classroom. new thinking, creative ideas, and an impulse toward change it sites, and powers, and improve the education of our kids can reform education in vermont. in all our efforts, vermont will judge us on the some of our work, not the parts. they will judge us on our ability to get the economy moving again, our ability to work together to craft a sustainable budget. if ever there were a time in our state history for servants to join together to dedicate

ourselves completely to the economic strain and individual prosperity of our people, that time is now. there is a young man, 37 years ago that took my seat at the assembly for the first time. i listened as governor davis bid farewell to the office that i am so honored to hold. the departing governor spoke of a foundation of his responsibility, efficient government, and environmental protection. that foundation was not an and of itself, serving to help of vermont face a fundamental question that he posed. how shall we preserve our way of life? i have shared in the joys, sorrows, accomplishments, and disappointments of daily life. i've been a firsthand witness and participant in that way of life. i see it in a neighbor helping stack wood or pull a car from a deep rut. i have heard it in town meeting

debates and speeches. i felt that on the coldest winter night and on to win the autumn day. the service of a firefighter or church deacon or the volunteer just doing her part to benefit the committee -- the community was no expectation of thanks. the vermont way of life is something not easily defined. it is rooted in common decency and the determine for a better future. to share the love of this land and the respect for one another. it is something worth preserving, defending, and fighting for. as we embark on the road ahead, let's take strength and comfort in the knowledge that others that come before have succeeded in keeping the promise of vermont. let us be humbled in the understanding that it is arguably -- and god bless each and everyone of you and the great state of vermont. [applause]

>> of vermont governor jim douglas wrapping up his state of the state address. and now, a look from the speech i of the colorado governor. earlier this year, he decided not to run for reelection. from denver, this is about half an hour. >> thank you. please be seated.

as important as the events are that will unfold in this building, i think still this morning, we should first turn our attention to haiti. for our thoughts and prayers. the victims of the earthquake, their families. prayer for their rescue, recovery, and for all that assist them going forward. thank you. the morning.

i have had the privilege of serving as the governor of colorado for three years now. when a privilege it is. after having travelled and lived world, i will leave in every fiber of my being that this is the best place on the globe to live and raise a family. as a people, we care deeply about each other. we look for ways to build a difference in a better future for our children and our grandchildren. we are innovators, creators, rugged, determined. when tough times or tragedy strikes, we respond as part of a family. as they say, we're blessed with the landscape christine. the minerals and fossil fuels

are bountiful. the sun, wind, the waters of the southern river systems in state and national forest are part of a natural ecosystem that is the envy of so many around the world. colorado is a beacon to many other places in this world. brightly, those that answer the different responsibility. we must work every day, all day, at achieving the god-given potential of the state and its people. to live up to that responsibility, we must agree that our service has a meaning and purpose that is greater than anyone of us in this chamber. at this pivotal point in colorado's history, i know that

we can and must set aside the weaker impulses of partisanship. colorado is in a better place because of the wisdom and humanity among you. you deserve no less than your best ideas and words selfless determination for a stronger colorado. in this, my last year as governor, i commit to work tirelessly alongside you we have accomplished much, but the time is short. there remains much work to be done on behalf of the people of colorado. hon. members of the house and senate. thank you for allowing me to deliver my fourth and final state of the state address. as the first african-american

speaker of the house, you're a broken new ground. above and beyond that, you're serving the people of colorado with distinction. it is an honor to serve with both you and with president shaffer. [applause] to our distinguished partners in lieutenant governor o'brien, treasurer kennedy, secretary of members of the supreme court, the mayor and other local government leaders. to the members of my cabinet, my staff.

coloradansñr serving abroad. to my wife. thank you for the faint -- everything you do for the people of colorado. [applause] thank you for everything you do for theñi people of colorado and for all you do for our family.de

here with me this morning as well as my mother. many of my siblings and my extended family, i will ask you to stand for a moment so you can 11 brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. [applause] people that do this business now have gotten without the understanding and love from those closest to you. colorado was not living up to it's full potential. it needed a course correction. to think bigger and better.

four years ago, barbara o'brien and i, with the help of many dedicated coloradans, we're turning the obstacles and assets, and lamenting lasting solutions to our serious challenges of help in colorado and every community achieve a promise. we're making the new energy economy the calling card our future. and for those of you keeping track, that is number one. [applause] growing other industries of the future. aerospace, biosciences, technology. we're leading on innovation and manufacturing because we were every day and ask, what can i create today? we are cutting taxes for small businesses and helping them get

access to loans, bringing new jobs at companies to colorado. we are expanding access to health care, building a foundation for greater cost control. we're greedy first sustainable funding for transportation and 20 years, set to begin in just a few months. long-term fiscal reform. on education, we have been racing to the top for years. where children are enrolled in preschool at full day kindergarten than ever before in this state. [applause] we're tackling the dropout rate. they're going the way of the dinosaurs. [applause] over the last three years, we

have been changing course, thinking bigger, doing better. strategies are working. even the worst global economic conditions in generations, we're leading colorado to a stronger, brighter future. since taking office, i have visited every corner of colorado. 250 visits outside the metro steamboat springs and glenwood springs. were struggling and those promise every day. for nearly all of them, i hear this simple message. make government leaner and more efficient. invest in our future and strengthen the safety net. it is a tall order.

let's listen to our constituents. let's stay focused on job creation, doing what is and small businesses. i am doing what is right for colorado's future. we cannot get distracted by partisan politics or the trivial pursuits that threatened to take us away from our core mission of economic recovery. it will not be enough to stay on the sidelines and constantly criticize, offering nothing but $10 solutions to a million- dollar problem. if you're not providing solutions, your part of the problem. this has been a tough time. while there will be setbacks, we are making progress. colorado has one of the best business climates and economic outlook in the country.

if we stay disciplined and the economy back on solid footing. i know we can because we have been doing this. the budget will drive much of the conversation this session. it will be even more challenging than last year. since 2008, we have closed shortfalls of $2 billion because of the recession. we have a billion dollar shortfall to close in the coming budget. over the next few weeks, i will be submitting additional budget cutting plans to committees. while our efforts have helped stabilize our economy and while economic recovery is indeed under way, and revenue recovery is a year away. unpopular but necessary decisions. it means we all need have the courage to ask government

agencies, state employees, private businesses, and public schools to share in the solutions. we're going to have to do things we don't want to do. we are going to have to take a balanced approach to keeping the budget balanced without damaging our ability to recover and create jobs. members of the jbc, thank you wisdom, and your compassion for the people of colorado. [applause] this is an unenviable time, but is a time when values, leadership, and strength matter most. thanks to the tough choices we have been making, colorado has

been coming back better than before. our government efficiency review found more than $200 million in savings and benefits, proving that this government can make people's lives better. we are eliminating health care waste and fraud. -- we will pursue legislation to make our state parks the first net zero energy park system in the country. [applause] we are making more services available on line, making government more transparent by posting thousands of documents on the web for everyone to see. economic reality, making government smaller and more efficient since families and businesses are doing it all across colorado.

we will shore up the not the employee retirement fund. we're nearing a bipartisan solution to doing that. longer-term, we need to continue this debate over the financial future. we need to have an honest this state over what kinds of services they want the government to provide, how much it will cost to provide those services, and to nearly 10 million people by 2050. we started that discussion with a referendum c, loosening the not of conflicting fiscal mandates within 228. untie that not. we must keep the dialogue going to achieve a smarter, more sensible and modern budgeting. coloradans must unite against

the backward thinking ballot measures the state has ever seen. [applause] colleges and prisons, increase class size, but thousands of teachers out of work and roads and bridges. if these measures passed, the build and other public school, library, or recreation center. the game that opponents are playing with our future would quite literally destroy the safety net and wipe out any hope of creating a better future for our children. [applause] that is not the colorado i want.

i went to colorado that opens doors to opportunity. like it did for me and my family members. i don't want a colorado that slams the door shut on opportunity. i want to colorado where elected officials and leaders have the courage to stand up and oppose those 3 ballot measures. i want to colorado where we help create jobs, helping companies like sierra nevada, the water company, helping them expand their business. i want to attract companies. representatives from some of those firms are with us today. thank you for those companies and their representatives to help us transform the colorado economy. [applause]

energy economy which did not exist three years ago continues to be our beacon to a brighter future. thanks to many people in this chamber, we are leading the nation in this critical area. we're creating thousands of new jobs, markets, and residences. where nurturing a culture of an invasion from the best energy research corridor in the world. we are manufacturing twenty first century products the affordable, reliable, and an efficient energy did it we are pioneers. we will pass the renewable energy standard. we doubled that standard in 2007, and because of our work, where five years ahead of schedule. [applause]

this session, let's think a bigger. let's increase the standard for 30% by 2020. [applause] this will trigger the creation we will keep colorado at the epicenter of america's energy revolution. we will increase our energy independence and further reduce our reliance on foreign oil. it expands the role of natural gas and our energy portfolio. xdin this year, we look forwardo solidifying its role for the future.

i have been working closely with the natural gas industry. we're looking at ways to increase the use of colorado's natural gas to generate electricity and reduce air pollution. and to create jobs doing it. [applause] together, we have enacted 40 pieces of legislation -- we can continue to lead the country and led the nation in the world know that is our calling card to the future. colorado's future depends on our our learning learning -- learning. i they the partners in the legislature for making education reform one of the state's

highest priorities. [applause] when barbara and i took office, we began to change the culture around educational reform, colorado's children. together, we have moved away from the partisan fights of the gatt -- the past to focus on student learning, teacher effectiveness, training, and educating our kids, and we will we have already won. where now i national leader of educational reform. our rates to the top began in

laid out 10-year goals of education. cut the dropout rate in half, close the achievement gap, and double the number of college degrees. they began implementing reform after reform. taste of those efforts, we now have the most rigorous set of standards that any state in the nation. [applause] giving kids a smart start out life. thousands of kids -- to many high school graduates are not

college ready. too many new employees are not work force ready. this year, we're going to keep moving forward with legislation that will take a closer to the day when we cease testing as we know it. [applause] don't get us wrong. we will still assessed our kids, assessing them more rigorously than ever before. we need to know what they know and what they can do. we will modernize the assessment teach, help students learn, and engage in children's education. [applause] of higher education, will continue to protect colorado colleges and universities. even in this downturn, with the help of the recovery act, we

have kept college affordable. the council and the jobs cabinet are all creating a seamless force development and business development. the blue ribbon panel will spend this year crafting a long-term of higher education in colorado. [applause] çóthe stakes are high. there is one single key that unlocks the doors of opportunity rather -- better than any other. that is education. if there is a single key to economic recovery, is education. if there is one single key to addressing poverty, it is education. the best economic development

strategy, the best anti-poverty [applause] we're also showing the country how to craft a smarter criminal justice strategy. knew we needed to take a different approach to develop a comprehensive vision while still making public safety are number one priority. we created a school safety resource center, establishing an office of, and security, beginning to reform our prisons. traffic fatalities are at a 30- year low. motor vehicle thefts have been cut in half over the past five years. spending has been growing faster than any other part of the budget.

22,000 prison inmates behind 220,000 college students. that is not a sustainable [applause] so we implement and evidence based strategy to keep the public safe and save money. for the first time, in anyone's memory, which reversed the upward trajectory of prison growth and prison spending. we are also being smart. where taking a thoughtful approach that is also a more cost-effective approach. another place we defined balance

is medical marijuana. the voters while bring common sense to the chaos that now exists. together, we can achieve clarify the doctor patient relationship and address the proliferation of dispensaries. i urge the general assembly to act quickly in this area. we also need to toughen the penalties for drunk driving. we stronger enforcement, stiffer punishment, and better treatments. public safety involves more than just criminal justice. it is also the safety net. in a downturn, we have an obligation to protect the most vulnerable on that -- among us. the leaders that serve with grace and compassion -- we will move ahead with legislation to better help those that depend on us the most.

one child's death is one too many. my deep thanks -- [applause] my deep thanks to the child welfare action committee. their good work is already saving lives. there is no question that we're making historic progress. we're moving colorado for, changing the culture of government and the direction of colorado. we're helping more and more coloradans to live up to their potential. proverbs 29:18 says that where there is no vision, people perish. we have the right vision, the

right strategies in place. there is no place -- we shan't -- we should not let the politics of what is possible get drunk by the politics of cynicism. the ability to adapt to this crafting a long-term strategic plan for higher education. they have faced difficult times in the past. there is still benefiting from the resilience of colorado leaders that came before us. they give us today's modern ski industry.

ment hat -- men that overcame it saves millions. it saved millions. the generations of colorado and ans that will follow, key building a bridge to colorado's future. we must keep executing the strategies that will move colorado ford. but the strategy -- it forward. but no strategy is of executing. we have the joint together to overcome the challenges, turned

what abraham lincoln called the better angels of our nature. decades from now, our grandchildren will look at this moment and ask us what it was like. the same way that we look back at the great depression. this is a hinge of history. i hope that we can tell them that yes, it was tough. but we worked together and rose to the challenges. [applause] colorado, thank you again for the privilege of serving as your governor. it got less everyone of you. -- god bless every one of you. >> tomorrow on "washington journal," karen finney and kevin madden.. and also a look at how poorly equipped haiti is with mathieu

eugene. and after that, filling senator edward kennedy's seat. live at 7:00 a.m. eastern here on c-span. president obama has called on former president george w. bush and bill clinton to help lead a haiti earthquake fund-raising effort. the three came to the rose garden to talk about a joint initiative of the two former presidents. this is about 15 minutes. >> the morning, everybody. in times of great challenge in our country and around the world, americans have always come together to let the hand in and serve others, to do what is right. that is with the american people have been doing in recent days with their extraordinary

generosity and contributions. at this moment, we're moving forward with one of the largest relief efforts and our history to save lives and the avert an even larger catastrophe. the two leaders with me today is making sure that this is matched by his or covered that extends beyond our government because they have no greater resources than the strength and compassion of the american people. we just met in the oval office, an office they both know well. i am pleased that president george w. bush and president bill clinton have agreed to lead a major fund-raising effort for relief. the clinton-bush haiti fund. i want to thank both of you for returning to service and leading the surge -- the urgent mission. after the tsunami in asia,

president bush turned to president clinton and former president bush, money that helps save lives. that is exactly what the people of haiti desperately need right now. every day that goes by, we hear more about the horrifying scope of this catastrophe. the destruction and suffering that defies common -- comprehension. families sleeping in the streets. injured a desperate for care. many thousands their dead. that is why thousands of american personnel are working to distribute clean drinking water, food, and medicine. thousands of supplies are arriving every day. it will be difficult. it is an enormous challenge to distribute this aid quickly and safely. that is what we are focused on

now. we're working closely with our partners, the haitian government, and friends from argentina, france, the dominican republic, brazil, and countries all around the world. secretary hillary clinton will be in haiti today to continue this close coordination. we also know that our longer- term effort will not be measured in days and weeks. it will be measured in months and even years. that is why is so important to enlist and sustain the support of the american people. that is why it is so important to have the coordination for all of the support that extends beyond our government. here at home, president bush and clinton will help the american people do their part. responding to a disaster must be the work of all of us. those of devastation reminds us

of our common responsibilities. it is a time where we can and must be a time of compassion. the scope of the destruction became apparent. i spoke to both of these gentlemen, and they asked the same simple question. how can i help? there will be asking everyone what they can do. individuals, corporations, ngos, institutions. everyone can help by visiting www.clintonbushaitifund.org. the relieved that prevented even greater loss of life -- treated more than 10 million men, women, and children. bill clinton help restore

democracy in haiti. as a private citizen, he has helped to save millions of people around the world. as the special envoy to haiti, he understands intimately the daily struggles and needs of the haitian people. by coming together in this way, they send an unmistakable message to the people of haiti and the world. america stands united. we stayed united with the people of haiti that have showed such incredible resilience, and to help them to recover and rebuilt. yesterday, we witnessed a small but remarkable display of that determination. they have little more than the clothes on their back. despite their loss and suffering, they're singing songs of faith and songs of hope. these are the people that called upon to help. that is why the three of us are standing together today.

with that, i would invite each president to say a few words. i will start with president bush. >> i joined president obama in expressing my sympathy for the people of haiti. i commend the president for his swift and timely response to the disaster. i am so pleased to answer the call to work alongside president clinton, to mobilize the compassion of the american people. like most americans, laura and i have been following the television coverage. our hearts are broken. we see the scenes of children struggling without a mom or dad, the bodies in the streets, the physical damage of the earthquake.

the challenges down there are immense. that there is a lot of devoted people leading the relief effort. from government personnel deployed to the disaster stone and the faith based groups have a calling. money will go to organizations on the ground who will be able to effectively spend it. i know a lot of people want to send blankets, water, just send your cash. one of the things the president and i will do is to make sure your money is spent wisely. as president obama said, you can look us up on our website. the haitian people have a tough journey. it is amazing how terrible tragedies can bring out the

best of the human spirit. we have all seen that first hand when american citizens responded to the tsunami or to katrina, or the earthquake in pakistan. president clinton and i are going to work to tap that same spirit of giving, to help our brothers and sisters in the caribbean. toward the end of my presidency, laura made a trip to haiti to look at the emergency plan for aids relief programs down there. i remember coming back and telling me about the energy and optimism of the people of a haiti, this unbelievable spirit. the people will recover and rebuild. as they do, they know they will have a friend in the united states of america. mr. president, thank you for

giving me the chance to serve. >> first, i want to thank president obama for asking president bush and me to do this. and for what i believe has been a truly extraordinary response on the part of the american government. because i have been working down there for nearly a year as the u.n. special envoy, i have been in constant touch with our people on the ground. we lost a lot of our people there, the largest loss of life in the history of the united nations i single day. the united states has been there from the beginning. the military has been great as a response by the state department. i can't say enough about it. and the people in haiti know it.

i am grateful. i would like to thank president bush for agreeing to do this. and for the concern he showed for haiti. before this happened, my foundation worked with people on the aids problems in haiti, and i sell hog good they were. -- saw how good they were. i don't have to read the website, because they did. i want to say something about this. all we need to do is get food, medicine, water, and a secure place for them. when we start the rebuilding effort, we wnt to d -- want to do what i did with the president's father in the tsunami. we want people to know their money will be well spent.

we will be ensuring the ongoing integrity of the process and we want to stay with this over the long run. my job is not at all at at conflict with this because i am sort of an outside guy, working with donations, the international agency, the business people around the world to try to get them to invest there. i believe that before this earthquake, he had the best chance to escape its history. a history that hillary and i have shared. i still believe that. they want to amend their development plan to take account of what is happening, figure out what i have to do about that. it is going to take a lot of help and a long time. so i am just grateful that

president bush is eager to help, and i have figured out to get him to do a couple of things he did not sign on for. i was in the hotel that collapsed -- those hotelst hat co -- hotels that collapsed. the church that hillary and i sat in is to rubble -- total rubble. it is one of the most remarkable in unique places i have ever been. they can escape their history and build a better future if we do our part. president obama, thank you for giving us the chance to do a little of that. >> these gentlemen are going to do extraordinary job. really what they're going to be doing is tapping into the incredible generosity, the

ingenuity and candid spirit of the american people in helping our neighbors in need. i want to thank each of them, not only for being here today, but for what i know is going to be an extraordinary effort. i want to make sure that everybody got that website. obviously, we're just standing it up, but it will immediately give people a means to contact our offices. www.clintonbushhaitifund.org. i want to amplify one thing that was said. and any extra derek catastrophe like this, the first several weeks are going to involve getting immediately relief -- getting immediate relief on the ground. people are still trying to

figure out how to organize themselves. there is going to be fear, anxiety, a sense of desperation in some cases. i have been in contact with the president, talking to folks on the ground. we're going to be making slow and steady progress. everybody will understand that there is going to be sustained health -- help on the way. what these gentlemen are going to be able to do, when news media starts seeing the attention drift to other things. there are still enormous needs on the ground. these two gentlemen of extraordinary stature are going to help ensure that these efforts are sustained. that is why it is so important and grateful that they have agreed to do this. thank you, gentlemen.

>> will any of the travel to haiti soon? >> what about secretary clinton, mr. president? . .

>> that is a good sound. that means good things are coming in helping the people of haiti. i want to express once again the deep sympathy that the president and mrs. obama and our entire country feel for the terrible tragedy that has affected the people of haiti. i want to assure the people of haiti that the united states is a friend, a partner, and a supporter, and we will work with your government under the direction of president preval to

assist in every way we can. we had a very good meeting about all of the priorities of the haitian government and haitian people. we are focused on providing humanitarian assistance, water, food, medical help, to those who are suffering.

we also are working with the haitian government on the continuing rescue of those who can be rescued. there are nearly 30 teams from all over the world who are working right now to rescue people who are still alive. most of the people that the american teams have rescued are haitians. president preval just met a man who had survived all of these days. five days, and we are very grateful for that rescue.

we discussed the priorities of restoring communications, electricity, and transportation. and we agreed that we will be coordinating closely together to achieve these goals. i am very proud of the work that our american embassy has done,

our u.s. agency for international development, are u.s. military, and for all of the private groups and citizens and church based organizations that are here in haiti working with the haitian people. i want to speak directly to the haitian people through the haitian media. we are here at the invitation of the government's to help you. as of president obama has said, we will be here today, tomorrow, and for the time ahead.

speaking personally, i know of the great resilience and strength of the haitian people. you have been severely tested. but i believe that haiti can come back even stronger and better in the future. thank you. >> thank you very much.

>> there is so much that has to be done, and that is why president preval and i will be issuing a joint communique tomorrow. it will be translated into all the necessary languages, setting forth our intention to cooperate together, and much of the work that will need to be done will be reconstruction and rebuilding. >> earlier today, vice president joe biden talked with a number of haitian americans and political leaders about the u.s. commitment to help rebuild haiti after the earthquake. the vice president was joined by janet napolitano and florida senator bill nelson. >> we are here because we wanted to see firsthand the operation tempo here and how things were moving. let me start off by saying that all of us earlier in the day

visited little haiti, and we met with a very impressive group of haitian american leaders, elected officials, mayors, state representatives, and others, as well as leaders in the business community, medical community, nurses, doctors, and then we went to notre dame to meet with the archbishop, pastor, and a number of other leaders. at the outset, i would like to point out that we have been absolutely astounded by the result and capacity of the community. one case in point, the pastor of the church, trying to give

comfort to the community, told me he had just lost family himself. he had found out that morning. one of the priests at the church was there. he looked devastated, and he had just heard minutes before of the loss of a close family member, i think it was his brother. everyone in the community with whom we have met, including patrick gas barrepard, have lost family. it is one thing to respond to cries viet -- to respond to a crisis of significant proportion. is another thing to respond when your own flesh and blood has been the victim of that same crisis. our hearts go out to all haitian

americans and others who have family and close friends who are caught in the midst of this absolutely devastating disaster. the images we all see on television are devastating to the average american. but i cannot imagine how the silence of contacting by cellphone a relative in haiti and hearing nothing on the other end, how deafening that silence is for so many haitian americans. i cannot imagine how out syrian the pain they feel is at this moment. -- how searing the pain in.

>> we tend to use adjectives to heighten the description of a circumstance, but sometimes it results in hyperbole. but this is close to unimaginable. we saw what we went through in katrina and rita, and we lost several thousand people. but here we are talking about tens of thousands of dead. a city, a region, from the epicenter out if you look at that symmetry -- if you look at the telemetry. this is absolutely devastating beyond recognition. the american government and american people are responding in a way that makes me once again brought to be an american. yesterday, i was keeping a long standing commitment to visit

lake charles, louisiana i, and new orleans, louisiana. now, under the leadership of janet napolitano, fema is actually delivering the goods for the last year to louisiana. there is still a great deal to be done. i am meeting in an area of the largest parish in louisiana, where electoral system, out in a windswept area where some housing has recently been built for the elderly. i walked into a community room, and the first questions they asked me are, how can we help the people of haiti? they are just getting up on their feet in new orleans. these are meetings and with people from the ninth ward and other places still devastated, and they are organized.

the firefighters in new orleans and the police were decimated, and they are organizing volunteers who say they are ready if we can get them there, to go to haiti. so ladies and gentlemen, this is an effort an undertaking that has the full, total, unrelenting support of the president of the united states and the government of the united states. we are moving as quickly as is possible. we are moving aggressively with all the assets available to this great government. we are saving lives and beginning a full-scale recovery, but put this in focus. there is one airport. the entire world is trying to get help to haiti. we are only able to land because of one apron in the airport, one