Drilling in Alaska Will Solve All Our Problems...Except McCain’s Pathetic Health Care Plan

PLUS: Kids kicked out of school for gang signs in their eyebrows, which is better than being caught drinking Frieda Kahlo tequila...The Media is still unwilling to focus on the issues, as is our Preznet....High self esteem isn’t all its cracked up to be, but baby facials are...Poor children globally are most at risk for global warming, while rich children need to be saved from Barbie...Your tax dollars buying an armored car to transport hookers abroad, but since she’s stuck here, Kirsten is suing Girls Gone Wild for $10 mill...and we’re getting married for the health insurance. It’s Wednesday, April 30, we’re MicCheck, and you’re a rockstar.

Celebration Excuse

Exploration, discovery, land grabs and sailors. Its April 30th, and MicCheck is celebrating with icecream!

1492

Columbus receives royal commission for his fleet, begins planning for his voyage.

1598

The long and glorious theater tradition in America starts off on the right foot, with a Spanish theater company and the show “Rio Grande.”

1789

George Washington gives first inaugural address, which was only slightly awkward since he hadn’t actively sought the office of President.

1798

Ahoy matey! U.S. Department of the Navy is formed.

1803

U.S. doubles in size with the Louisiana Purchase.

1904

Icecream cone debuts at the first World’s Fair, becoming an instant summer favorite.

1952

Mr Potato Head wins instant popularity points when he appears in the first televised toy advertisement.

1955

One of those elements we’ve never heard of (mendelevium) is officially announced as element 101.

1975

Fall of Saigon, prompting the largest helicopter evacuation ever.

Too many candles on the birthday cake.

1933: Willie Nelson, musician and anti-war activist

1975: Johnny Galecki, actor from “Big Bang Theory”

1982: Kirsten Dunst, actress from “Spider-Man”

Daybook

STUMPIN

John McCain: Townhall in Allentown, PA and fundraiser in Bethlehem, PA.

Hillary Clinton: Rally in Kokomo, IN.

Barack Obama: Rally in Bloomington, IN.

OTHERS

Bill Clinton: Appearances all over NC.

CONGRESS

SENATE

10:30 AM

Joint Session of Congress to receive the Prime Minister of Ireland, Bertie Ahern.

HOUSE

10:30AM

Joint Session of Congress to receive the Prime Minister of Ireland, Bertie Ahern.

2:30 PM

House Judiciary Committee: Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law Subcommittee hearing on “Wasted Visas, Growing Backlogs.”

WATCH MORE TV

SET YOUR TIVO

The View: Nominations for the Emmy Awards, Tyra

Regis/Kelly: Gwyneth Paltrow, Taylor Swift

Ellen: Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Rantuccio from the Bachelor

Oprah: David Blane attempts to break the underwater breath-holding record.

Tyra: Tyra celebrates her 500th episode.

STAY UP LATE

Leno: Cindy McCain, Ed Helms from “The Office”

Letterman: Matthew Broderick, Heidi from “The Hills,” Josh Groban

Conan: Gordon Ramsay, celebrity chef

Kimmel: Actress Angie Harmon, Chef Adam Perry Lang

Daily Show: Robert Schlesinger, author of “White House Ghosts”

 

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Newsletter:

Eavesdrop

Steal This Audio

McCain’s Health Care Bluff

Who: Senator John McCain (R-AZ)

What: A speech on his health care “plan” at the Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute at the University of South Florida.

Why You Should Care: McCain identifies a lot of the right problems with American health care — cost, lack of access — but his plan offers poor remedies, and leaves American families on their own while keeping those who need health care the most from getting the coverage they deserve. Read more here: [American Progress] [Wonk Room]

The Audio

  • McCain states the obvious: “Underlying the many things that trouble our health care system are the fundamental problems of cost and access, cost and access, cost and access.” [Audio, :10]
  • McCain feels the uninsured’s pain. His answer? Leave them to fend for themselves in a private market that discriminates against pre-existing conditions:"What they all have in common is if they become ill, or their condition gets worse, they will be on their own — something that no one wants to see in this country.” [Audio, :11]
  • McCain notices that, “in many respects, the system has remained less reliable, less efficient, more disorganized and prone to error, even, even as it becomes more expensive.” His answer? Give people more money to spend in the system to reinforce its worst tendencies. [Audio, :10]
  • McCani pretends that his health care plan isn’t just more of the same: “It would help change the whole dynamic of the entire system, putting individuals and families back in charge and forcing companies to respond with better service at lower cost.” Here’s some straight talk: no, it wouldn’t. [Audio, :12]

Popularity Contest

We’re outraged at how popular the Obama/Wright story is, but at least its not as creepy as the middle school teachers in Florida. We dare you to skip over anything divisive as you check out the hottest stories from the top news sites.

ABC: Obama Rejects Wright: His ‘Ridiculous’ Statements ‘Offend Me’

CBS: Obama ‘Rips’ Reverand Wright

FOX: Suspended Tampa Middle School Teacher Arrested a Third Time on Charges of Having Sex With Students

CNN: Obama ‘Outraged’ by Wright’s Remarks

NBC: Hunt on for Nazi Concentration Camp Doctor

NYT: Bob Herbert: The Pastor Casts A Shadow

WP: When Young Teachers Go Wild on the Web

USAT: Obama Expresses Outrage at Rev. Wright ‘Spectacle’

LAT: Celebrity-snooping ex-UCLA Medical Center staffer is indicted

BBC: DNA ‘Backs Austrian Incest Claim’

REUT: Democrat Obama ‘Outraged’ by Former Pastor

Masthead

Questions? Comments? Send us e-mail.

Mic Check is produced every weekday by Christy Harvey, Sara Langhinrichs and Nicole Murphy, and is a project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Read more about Mic Check.

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