Jeb Bush touting conservative policies to aid middle class

The nation’s economy can grow much faster by unshackling government burdens on business, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told an audience of influential Detroit-area business leaders on Wednesday in his first major economic speech as a 2016 Republican presidential prospect.

In his address to the Detroit Economic Club, the son and brother of former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush offered the economic principles that would form the foundation of an economic platform, should he continue on the path toward a campaign. Bush was also expected to attend a fundraiser Wednesday evening in Detroit.

Bush spoke mainly about improving the economic fortunes of middle- and low-income families, especially in cities, such as Detroit, which has recently emerged from bankruptcy.

“I know some in the media think conservatives don’t care about the cities. But they are wrong. We believe that every American and in every community has a right to pursue happiness,” he told the audience of 600. “They have a right to rise,” Bush said, borrowing from his economic mantra and the name of the political action committee he formed in December. Wednesday’s speech was the first in a series of stops his aides are calling his “Right to Rise” tour.

Bush said the federal government needs to encourage economic growth among the middle class, which, he argues, has languished despite the ongoing economic recovery. Conservative economic policies, he says, would provide incentive for middle-income families to reach higher income.

Bush touted education as a way forward for struggling families, an issue he has long supported. In his second term as Florida’s chief executive, Bush enacted the nation’s first school voucher program, aimed at allowing families in failing school districts to choose charter and private schools at state cost.

The former governor also is in favor of paring down government, calling bloated bureaucracy, onerous taxes and voluminous regulations shackles to economic growth and American families’ ability to climb.

The Detroit event represents a departure for Bush, who has spoken only at paid events and private fundraisers.

Aides also confirmed that Bush plans to make his first trip to Iowa as a presidential prospect in March. Bush plans to participate in an agricultural policy forum hosted by Republican Gov. Terry Branstad and agribusiness leader Bruce Rastetter.

View the original article here

Jeb Bush touting conservative policies to aid middle class

More than a dozen states plan to cancel health care policies not in compliance with ObamaCare - OPINION: ObamaCare is gift that keeps on giving - VIDEO: Many ObamaCare cancellations expected

More than a dozen states plan to cancel health care policies not in compliance with ObamaCare in the coming weeks, affecting thousands of people just before the midterm elections.

“It looks like several hundred thousand people across the country will receive notices in the coming days and weeks,” said Jim Capretta of the Ethics and Public Policy Center.

The policies are being canceled because states that initially granted a reprieve at the request of President Obama are no longer willing to do so.

In coming weeks, 13 states and the District of Columbia plan to cancel such policies, which generally fall out of compliance with the Affordable Care Act because they don’t offer the level of coverage the law requires.

Virginia will be hardest hit, with 250,000 policies expected to be canceled.

And because federal law requires a 60-day notice of any plan changes, voters will be notified no later than November 1, right before the Nov. 4 midterms.

Many of those forced out of their current plans and into ObamaCare may not be able to keep their doctors. They also could face higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses, making ObamaCare an election issue on the eve of voting.

Obama had originally unequivocally promised that underhis health care plan, everyone could keep their doctors and plans.

In 2009, he told the American Medical Association, “If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor. Period.If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan. Period.No one will take it away. No matter what.”

The president later was forced to admit that any plan without the additional benefits required under ObamaCare faced cancellation.

But that unleashed a nasty political backlash, forcing him to back down and call for states and insurers to extend those policies forthree more years.

Some said he didn’t have much choice. “There were some five or six million people who were at stake here and the federal exchange was in no condition to even process a few hundred thousand people much less millions,” said Joe Antos of the American Enterprise Institute.

Many states flatly refused to extend and now comes the new round of states that plan to cancel policies.

Jim Angle currently serves as chief national correspondent for Fox News Channel (FNC). He joined FNC in 1996 as a senior White House correspondent.

View the original article here

More than a dozen states plan to cancel health care policies not in compliance with ObamaCare - OPINION: ObamaCare is gift that keeps on giving - VIDEO: Many ObamaCare cancellations expected

JMA urges govt to implement policies to stimulate investment

Latest News

Friday, August 23, 2013 | 3:17

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) says it is encouraged with Jamaica’s passing of the first International Monetary Fund (IMF) test and lauded the Government and the independent oversight committee headed by Richard Byles, for ensuring that the nation was “on the right track”. The JMA in a statement Friday said it is “appeased that Jamaica’s fiscal performance exceeded projections and urged Government to continue on the path to ensuring that the pillars of the IMF agreement are met”.However, the Association said that while the Government had achieved this mark, it is calling for the implementation of policies that will stimulate investment, create well-needed employment and put Jamaica on a path for growth, as this was the real measure of success.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

JMA urges govt to implement policies to stimulate investment