House GOP Leader Blasts Obama's Economic and Health Policies

By: Sergey Kadinsky
Topics: Congress

(AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) attacked President Obama's economic recovery platform in a Washington Post op-ed today. The congressman argues that Obama's plan is resulting in continued unemployment, higher taxes and debt.

"American families and small businesses face daunting economic challenges," Boehner writes. "They have watched with anxiety this year as the government has focused on implementing a takeover of health care, a 'cap-and-trade' national energy tax, 'card check' legislation for union membership and more tax increases."

Boehner's message is a continuation of the consistent opposition Mr. Obama has faced from Republicans, even after the president hosted a bipartisan meeting on job creation.

The president's meeting with Republicans fell into a conversation about politics, after President Obama accused Republicans of trying to "scare the heck out of people."

In his op-ed, Boehner added that Mr. Obama "said that Republicans are primarily interested in unemployment because of the 2010 midterm elections, and that we seem to be almost rooting against recovery. I told the president very directly that everyone -- Republicans and Democrats -- wants to get people back to work."

While Boehner writes that his party seeks to convey their concerns and propose alternative solutions, a memo written by Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele, obtained by CBS News, says otherwise.

"The Democrats have accused us of trying to delay, stall, slow down and stop this bill. They are right," Steele wrote. "We do want to delay, stall, slow down and ultimately stop them from experimenting on our nation's health care. And guess what, so do a majority of Americans."

In October, Boehner's alternative health proposal included allowing the purchase of health insurance across state lines, allowing people to pool together to buy insurance for lower prices and reducing malpractice lawsuits.

Slamming Obama's proposal to "raise taxes on small businesses" in the midst of double-digit unemployment, Boehner argues that the best way to promote job growth is to allow small businesses and individuals "keep more of what they earn."

"I used to run a small business. I know what it takes to meet a payroll and a bottom line," Boehner writes. "Employers will continue to hold off on hiring as long as Washington pursues these job-killing policies and piles more debt on our children and grandchildren."

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by thebob-bob December 12, 2009 1:02 AM EST: Republicans lit the house on fire and now they throw stones at the firemen and complain about how much water they use to put it out.

Why do they hate America??; Reply to this comment


by earthling76 December 11, 2009 5:47 PM EST: Can we all agree that the Congressman has been pronouncing his name incorrectly to hide his true nature?; Reply to this comment


by watervliet December 11, 2009 3:42 PM EST: EVERY TIME YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH NOTHING GOOD COMES OUT OF IT!!! HELP OR SHUT UP!!! OR STAY IN YOUR SUNTAN BED!!!; Reply to this comment


by mikelpond December 11, 2009 2:21 PM EST: What is all this small buisness experience that Boehner has? Tanning salons and golf courses?; Reply to this comment


by sjc_1 December 11, 2009 12:56 PM EST: Boehner ought to just give it up, he is their attack dog for the week, he must have gotten the memo. Rather than help, they sit on the sidelines and criticize. Maybe some of the people back home like this, but not most of them. Be a good citizen and help out instead of throwing rocks, we would all be better off for that.; Reply to this comment

by stryker54 December 11, 2009 12:38 PM EST

I see most on cbs are just liberal dems and not much in knowing about small business, if they did they would agree, but most the post I see are on their entitlement to take from the people who work hard to earn the money and the lazy dems that just want to take from them to give the lazy a$$es money they never earn or have any intentions on working. Great people running our country. Robin hood and his merry thieves.

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by dmwj2 December 11, 2009 12:54 PM EST: Sorry bub - you are dead wrong there... I have worked very hard since I was 15 years old. I have put myself through college, and live a comfortable life. BUT - I have seen first hand how medical cost can send you to the poor house... my parents had to file bankruptsy due to my father's heart condition. AND had to fight Aetna tooth and nail to get partial coverage for standard treatments!! It is NOT RIGHT!!


by earthling76 December 11, 2009 5:57 PM EST: by dmwj2 December 11, 2009 12:54 PM EST
Sorry bub - you are dead wrong there... I have worked very hard since I was 15 years old. I have put myself through college, and live a comfortable life. BUT - I have seen first hand how medical cost can send you to the poor house... my parents had to file bankruptsy due to my father's heart condition. AND had to fight Aetna tooth and nail to get partial coverage for standard treatments!! It is NOT RIGHT!!

Don't worry, stryker will come to the same conclusion once he experiences the same situation. I'll bet he will be quick to accept help from Robin Hood at that point.