House Majority Leader McCarthy: House budget includes better choice for our veterans, who deserve better care from the government they served

 House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy gives us his weekly view from Capitol Hill. In his words:

"To achieve great things, you must start from a strong foundation. You have to have a vision, but you also need the means and structure to achieve that vision. The vision for this nation that we have in the To turn that vision into action, Congress needs to pass a budget. Passing a budget is not only a showing of competence but it is also a document that lays out the path to achieve that vision.

House of Representatives is a freer and more prosperous America that empowers the individual, not Washington.

"This week, the House of Representatives passed a budget that ensures Washington lives within its means, doesn’t raise taxes on the American people, and sets the stage for a strong American future--a future with a simpler and fairer tax code,  a market-based health care system that empowers the patient, and one that doesn’t mortgage our children’s future with more reckless spending today.

"These pro-growth policies were combined with responsible support for our nation’s defense. As our nation and our allies face increasing threats from terrorists in the Middle East, Iran attempting to achieve the means to build a nuclear bomb, and aggression from countries such as Russia and Iran that threaten the sovereignty and democracy of free nations, House Republicans increased support for the men and women in our military.

"With our priorities on paper, the next several months will be spent fine-tuning our broad path forward to achieve the conservative policies that will grow America’s economy from the ground up while reducing Washington’s influence in our daily lives. Known as the appropriations process, this is an exercise that will demand Congress’ focus until a budget in detail can be presented to the President.

"Our focus will not be exclusive to appropriations over the coming months. There is simply too much to do (or rather undo) to free our neighbors from the harm government has done.

"Perhaps the most egregious example of the failures of the bureaucratic state is the inefficiencies of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). And for our community, this failure was magnified by our local veterans having to travel all the way to Sepulveda to receive care while passing multiple medical facilities along the way. Not only is that wrong, it is maddeningly inefficient.

"That is why offering veterans choice to seek private care that is closer to their homes was a big part of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability (CHOICE) Act that Congress passed, and the President signed into law last year. However, the VA’s rigid definition of distance eligibility still left many in our community ineligible for the program.

A"fter pressure from Congress, the VA smartly made the commonsense adjustments to open the program for many vets that live in our community, and communities across the country, that face long distances to receive VA care. This announcement is a big win for veterans in the west.

"So as House Republicans continue to plot the path forward for a brighter future, we will remain committed to holding our government accountable today. Important victories from the most recent VA announcement to the decision by the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Agency to back down from its plan to harm our 2nd Amendment rights are examples of the value and importance of remaining vigilant on Washington’s bureaucracy while working to achieve the vision for tomorrow.

McCarthy: One budget is the typical tax and spend Democratic plan, while the House plan calls for pro-growth tax reform and a plan to pay down the national debt

 Rep. Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Whip, brings us up to date on Capitol Hill. In his words:

 "This week was budget week in the House of Representatives. Just as budgets are an important tool for American families and businesses, my colleagues and I believe it is important for elected Representatives to present our constituents with a plan for the future. I would like to highlight two

budgets, in particular, and let you decide which plan you prefer.

 "The first is President Obama’s proposed budget. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid described this plan as 'a powerful statement of Democratic principles,' and I couldn’t agree more. The Administration’s plan for America consists of raising taxes by $1.8 trillion to pay for $6.1 trillion in new spending. It cuts national defense by $283 billion, and leaves our future generations with $3.8 trillion in increased debt. Moreover, the President’s budget never comes to balance—ever. In short, it is the same tax-and-spend policy that Washington Democrats have prescribed for years.

  "The other plan was drafted by my good friend House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan and supported by House Republicans. It addresses Washington’s out-of-control spending and comes to balance in 10 years. It expands opportunity for all by calling for pro-growth tax reform and increased domestic energy production. It increases spending on national defense, so our men and women in harm’s way can have the training and tools they need. It repeals Obamacare and calls for patient-centered reforms. It protects Medicare so we can keep the promise to our seniors. And it strengthens the safety net for those among us who have fallen on hard times.

 "The President’s budget was given a vote on the House Floor this week.  Out of 415 votes, it received only two “aye” votes. Yes – only two.

  "Meanwhile, I worked to help pass the only budget in Washington that balances and takes the necessary steps to pay down our debt and get our economy back on track. The budgets described here present very distinct paths and I believe our budget provides the only real path to prosperity.

Esquire, Crocs, Borders, Chrysler, United, Old Navy on endangered species list?

Came across a fascinating read that speculates on what brands may simply disappear in this devastating economy. It's amazing to think of so many brands once considered institutions that may not make the cut through this downturn. (Check out the full blog and the list here.)The blog 24/7 Wall Street speculates that these brands are "most likely to disappear by the end of 2010."

1) BUDGET: The same parent company owns Avis and Budget is the weaker sister.
2) BORDERS: Declining sales and tough competition from Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
3) CROCS: Stock has gone from $72 to $2 today. I love 'em but 24/7 Wall Street says they won't make it through the year.
4) SATURN: Owned by General Motors, this is an easy one to understand.
5) ESQUIRE MAGAZINE: Declining ad revenues in the crowded men's magazine space.
6) OLD NAVY: This Gap owned company will be dropped so Gap can concentrate on Gap and Banana Republic.
7) ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST MAGAZINE: Huge losses in ad pages. Conde Nast will dump it.
8) CHRYSLER: Investors will dump this one too.
9) EDDIE BAUER: Stock price languishing under $1, squeezed by other competitors.
10) PALM: The analyst says this brand "has been at death's door for some time" and faces tough competition from RIM and Apple.
11) AIG: This huge insurance giant is under the government's thumb and may disappear after its profitable operating units are spun off.
12) UNITED AIR LINES: Two large US carriers may need to merge to avoid bankruptcy and 24/7 Wall Street says United is the weakest.