What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-31-09

Scott Allen Miller sits in for Tom today.

 

Immoral Villains?

Speaker Nancy Pelosi says it's the “immoral decision-making” of "villainous" private health insurance companies that got us into this health care mess.  Will demonizing insurance companies help the democrats get health care reforms passed?  Are you happy with your health coverage? 

 

No Apologies

Despite appearances of unity, last night's “beer summit” yielded no apologies from Professor Gates or Officer Crowley.  Should President Obama have apologized for saying the police acted "stupidly"?  Plus, the black officer present during Gates' controversial arrest had a few choice words for the professor! 

 

Police Profiling

Last night's beer summit was supposed to help relations between minorities and the police.  Have you ever been "profiled" by police?  Scott explains how being singled out because of your race is only one way to be profiled.  And are white women the only group that is immune to profiling?

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-30-09

Scott Allen Miller sits in for Tom today.

 

New Lows

According to Gallup and Rasmussen Reports, President Obama's job approval ratings are hitting new lows. Polls also show rising uneasiness about Obama's healthcare reform and disapproval on how he handled his recent comments on race.  Perhaps worst of all, 49% believe America's best days are behind us.  Will Obama's policies continue to sink his popularity?

 

"Beer Summit"

Tonight President Obama sits down with Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Sgt. James Crowley, the officer that arrested the professor in his own home.  Will this so-called "beer summit" clear the air, or cause more racial tension than the original incident?   Is having a beer and a photo op the way to handle a topic as important as race relations?

 

Texting Ban?

A recent study found texting in the driver's seat to be as dangerous as drinking and driving.  Now a group of Democratic Senators is calling for a ban on texting behind the wheel.  Scott thinks it's only dangerous if you're not good at it!  Besides, what do politicians know about it -- they have drivers!  Should the driving exam include a special "texting" test? 

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-28-09

Fat Tax

President Obama is still out there pushing his health care plan. While he holds a “tele-town hall” with the AARP in Washington D.C., senators on Capitol Hill may be reaching a compromise that could exclude some of Obama’s biggest reforms. Are they really considering a tax on obese Americans?  PLUS: Another Biden Gaffe!

 

Tom and Tim

US home prices rose in May, the first monthly increase in three years. Are prices are beginning to stabilize?  Meanwhile, Obama’s program to keep people in their homes is failing.  Is it more profitable for lenders to let people lose their homes??  PLUS: Tom and Tiny Tim have something in common.

 

Black Market

Aside from massive money laundering, New Jersey's big corruption bust involved an even more disturbing element -- the trafficking of human body parts.  With patients literally dying as they await donor organs, was the emergence of a black market inevitable?  Is it morally wrong to trade "Cash for Kidneys"?

 

 

What's On The Tom Sullivan Show 7-27-09

"Cash for Clunkers"

Unless you were under a rock this weekend, you couldn’t miss all the auto companies pushing the government’s "Cash-for-Clunkers" program.  Will the policy make American highways "greener" and spark the sales the auto industry desperately needs? Or will this be just another of Obama's failed plans?

 

Black Market

Aside from massive money laundering, New Jersey's big corruption bust involved an even more disturbing element -- the trafficking of human body parts. With patients literally dying as they await donor organs, was the emergence of a black market inevitable?  PLUS: Tom goes through some of the weekend's other shocking crimes.

 

Facebook vs Twitter

Bill Gates says he's leaving Facebook because he has too many "friends".  Will more people follow his lead?  And while Twitter is getting a lot of buzz, is it big enough to replace Facebook as the new, hip social networking site?  Tom explains why he loves Twitter and offers newbies a Twitter Tutorial.

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-24-09

Minimum Wage

A federal minimum wage increase goes into effect today. But many economists say raising the minimum wage to $7.25 could actually prolong the recession because it may force some small businesses to lay off workers.  Tom explains why the only people who really benefit from raising the minimum wage are rich teenagers!  PLUS: Cash-for-clunkers also begins today.

 

Jersey Politics?

The New Jersey corruption scandal has inspired more than a few "Sopranos" jokes, but the case is a good example of the dishonesty present in all levels of government. Whether it’s your local town, state government or Washington D.C., money and favors are constantly being exchanged. Is there any way to limit the influence of the almighty dollar in American politics?

 

Risky Investments

Another day, another deadline from the White House. Treasury Secretary "Tiny" Tim Geithner wants Congress to revamp the financial regulatory system by the end of the year. At the same time the White House wants to start charging fees to financial companies who make "far-out transactions." Is all this government intrusion going way too far?

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-23-09

Massachusetts Model

President Obama defended his health care plan in primetime last night.  Did the press throw him 'softball' questions?  Plus, three years later, Massachusetts still doesn’t know how to pay for its groundbreaking health care program. What can we learn from Massachusetts before we adopt a similar federal system?

 

"Acted Stupidly"

During his press conference last night, President Obama said police acted 'stupidly' when they arrested black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. in his own home. The President also said despite some progress, minorities in this country are still unfairly singled out by police. Is the President right?  Was he wrong to even go there?

 

Victim or Not?

The controversy surrounding ESPN reporter Erin Andrews and her nude 'peephole' video continues. She says she was a victim, but ABC news asks if Andrews' sex appeal 'encouraged' the nude video, and a female USA Today columnist insinuated she brought this on herself.  Is it fair to blame Andrews? 

 

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-22-09

Primetime Push

Tonight the President will hold a primetime press conference to talk about his health care plan -- a trillion-dollar bill he wants to push through Congress before the August break.  If Obama’s plan is passed, how will it affect your current healthcare coverage?  And why is the administration trying to change so much so quickly?

 

Racial Profiling?

Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested last week after trying to force open the front door of his own home.  Police say he was uncooperative and disorderly, but Gates says police treated him as a suspect because he's black.  Were the police engaging in racial profiling, or does Gates have his own issues with race?

 

The Whole Story?

Everyone is talking about the ’peephole’ video of ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews. Was Andrews the victim of a pervert or is there another side to the story?  Also, Steelers QB Ben Rothlisberger has been accused of rape.  How is the media covering this story? PLUS: The abandoned dead.

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-21-09

Class Warfare?

Will President Obama have to make more compromises to get his health care plan passed?  In an interview this morning he refused to back off a ‘surtax’ on the rich to cover health care for the poor.  Will Obama’s class warfare tactics work, or are people getting tired of the anti-rich rhetoric from this White House? 

 

California Crisis

California has agreed on a plan to close the state's $26 billion dollar budget gap.  The problem?  They didn’t actually close the gap.  And while legislators didn’t raise state taxes, they may force cities and counties to raise theirs.  So, is the California crisis really over?  And will other states face the same dilemma?

 

"Prenatal Pollution"

This week a federal study claims chatting on your cell phone while driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.  Another study says the number of Latino workers who die on the job has risen 76 percent since 1992.  A third suggests prenatal pollution is lowering toddlers' IQs.  But are studies like these misleading?

 

 

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-20-09

40 Years Ago

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Now the crew of that mission and others are encouraging the United States to go to Mars. But is a trip to the red planet worth the money? And, are some NASA missions nothing more than P.R. campaigns? Plus, Walter Cronkite passed away over the weekend. How has TV news changed since his heyday?

 

Ham and Cheese

The White House is delaying the release of their budget by a few more weeks. The update is expected to show higher deficits and slower growth. Meanwhile, Recovery.org shows the White House spent millions on stuff like ham and cheese!  Also, CIT has received a $3 billion bailout. But the rescue deal was reached with private bondholders, NOT the government...

 

Card Check

The American Conservative Union is accused of trying to sell it's endorsement to Fed Ex for $2 million. Fed Ex turned them down, so allegedly the group went to UPS instead!   PLUS: You probably didn’t realize it, but Card Check has failed - why is the media burying the story?  Tom points out a more examples of misreporting. 

 

 

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-17-09

“Unsustainable Path”

States are trimming programs in all kinds of ways in order to balance their budgets, including cutting back on air conditioning and even trash pickup.   And CBO Dir. Doug Elmendorf says the “federal budget is on an unsustainable path.”   Meanwhile, VP Joe Biden told an AARP town hall meeting “we have to go spend money to keep from going bankrupt.”   Is this why the Treasury Department is looking for a “Humor Czar”?

 

CIA Secrets

This week we found out the CIA had a secret counter-terrorism program that VP Dick Cheney concealed from Congress for eight years.  The program never got off the ground, but members of Congress say they still should have been made aware of it.  Tom wants to know why we didn’t go ahead with sending a special group of assassins to kill al Qaeda leaders. 

 

“Barriers Still Exist”

Yesterday, President Obama told the NAACP it was early Black civil rights leaders that paved the way for him, but that racial barriers still exist in the US.  At the same time, CA Sen. Barbara Boxer was insulting the president of the National Black Chamber of Commerce who said she was being racially condescending to him during a hearing on climate change.  PLUS: Steve Forbes talks to Tom about his new book ““Power Ambition Glory.”  

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-16-09

Public Option?

Obama continues to push his big health care plan today, but according to Investors Business Daily, the ‘public option’ isn’t an option at all. Tom explains why the real goal of a ‘public option’ is to move to a ‘single-payer system’...

 

More Gov't Handouts?

CIT Group INC is in serious trouble - but they provide loans to many of the nation’s small businesses. Should the Treasury bail them out? If they don’t, what will it mean for America’s small businesses? Will CIT become the next Lehman Brothers? 

 

"Pickens Plan"

The "Pickens Plan" is one year old but a lot has changed in the past year. With a new administration, lower energy prices and a deeper recession, are we any closer to a national energy plan?  T. Boone Pickens joins Tom. 

 

 

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-15-09

Healthcare Tax?

According to Section 401 of the 1000-page healthcare bill, anyone that doesn't have health insurance would have to pay a new tax - about 2.5% of their income. Is Obama breaking his promise to not raise taxes on those making under $250K? Plus, should a tax on water products like soft drinks pay for upkeep of the nation's water supply infrastructure?

 

"Worse Than We Thought"

Upscale home sales continue to lag because jumbo loans are just too hard to get. How do we get high-end houses moving again and stabilize the prices in all markets?  Also, Mortimer Zuckerman says the economy is worse than we thought because folks are remaining unemployed longer than usual. Should unemployed homeowners be bailed out?

 

"Internetiquette"

AirTran, who is introducing internet service on their flights, is also teaching "internetiquette" to their travelers. Tom explains what that means.  And a flyer fights back after an airline broke his guitar.  PLUS: Is love enough to keep a marriage together? And the world's oldest woman to give birth passes away and leaves two toddlers orphans.

 

 

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-14-09

Healthcare Reform

President Obama still hopes to push through a healthcare reform bill before the August recess. Democrats will even announce some of the language in their proposed bill today. And according to reports, once again the rich will be footing the bill. Also, a poll shows most Americans want healthcare reform, but they don't want to pay for it!

 

More Gov't Handouts?

CIT Group INC is in serious trouble and may go bust - but they provide loans to many of our nation’s small businesses. Should the Treasury bail them out?  PLUS: A group of minority broadcasters are asking Geithner for a bailout. How valuable is diversity on the airwaves? And, PPM ratings show how popular minority programming really is.

 

Hole in the Fuselage

2009 hasn’t been a good year for the airlines. Another terrifying midair incident occurred yesterday when a football-size hole opened up in the roof of a Southwest airplane. Tom says this once again proves that Boeings are more durable and safer than the ‘fuel efficient’ plastic Airbuses. PLUS: Should you be allowed to kill your neighbor’s dog?

 

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-13-09

** Tom broadcasts LIVE from the steps of California’s State Capitol Building in Sacramento! **

 

California Chaos!

California lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger negotiated throughout the weekend and still cannot find a way to close the state’s $26 billion budget deficit. How did California get into this mess? Former CA Gov. Pete Wilson joins Tom.  And, should banks be forced to accept over 90,000 in IOUs?

 

Furloughs and Layoffs

Furloughs and employee layoffs have affected many California state workers, especially correctional officers. CCPOA spokesman Lance Corcoran joins Tom. And, are massive cuts in the state's police departments jeopardizing public safety?  Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness joins Tom.

 

Invest in California?

With the state budget in shambles, are California municipal bonds a good investment? Don Solender, Dir. of Municipal Bond Management with Lord Abbett joins Tom.  PLUS: Is pot the answer to California’s problems? And, how should the state cope with illegal immigration?

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-10-09

Did He or Didn’t He?

A controversial photo shows the President “checking out” a young lady at the G8 Summit.  Was he really sneaking a peek?  And, Sen. Ensign’s parents allegedly paid the family of his mistress $96,000!  Why?  Plus, Levi Johnston says Sarah Palin’s resignation was all about money…

 

Rest in Peace

Four employees of a suburban Chicago cemetery are accused of digging up graves, dumping the bodies and reselling the plots.  This bizarre story raises questions about the cemetery business and the long-standing traditions associated with laying the dead to rest. 

 

Empty Malls

Malls and hotels in the US are feeling the crunch - mall vacancies are up and hotel revenues are down.  Is the economy facing a commercial real estate crisis?  Also, the Treasury is encouraging banks to modify more loans.  Why are the administration’s plans moving so slowly?

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-9-09

"The New GM"

The “New GM” is expected to emerge today. Does the automaker deserve a second chance?  And how will GM’s former CEO Rick Wagoner make out in the end?  PLUS: What does the growing Chinese car market mean for US automakers?

 

Unpredictable

The Obama administration has been trying to predict how banks, businesses, and the American people will react to the economy and the government's attempts to fix it.  But when things are in flux, people are very unpredictable!  Big problem...

 

Still Vulnerable?

The GAO has found some serious security flaws at many government buildings, and now computers at the Treasury department and other federal agencies have been hacked.  Eight years after 9/11, the US is still vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

 

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-8-09

China Won’t Play Ball

After originally withholding the study, the EPA says America’s crackdown on green house gases is useless if China doesn’t play ball with the global effort.  Will China’s refusal to cooperate sink cap-and-trade here in the US?  Also, a new study suggests the rich emit more pollution than the poor.  PLUS: Tom has fun with numbers.

 

Still Vulnerable?

The GAO has revealed some serious security flaws at many of our government buildings, and according to reports, computers at the Treasury Dept, Secret Service, and other federal agencies have been hacked.  Eight years after 9/11, the US still appears to be vulnerable to terrorist attacks. What’s going on?

 

Remaining Prosperous

What new challenges do businesses face during this recession and what are the best ways to cope?  Chick-Fil-A President and COO Dan Cathy sits down with Tom to discuss changes in healthcare, looming new taxes and remaining prosperous in a bad economy.  PLUS: Sarah Palin - attacked by the left but loved by the right!

 

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-7-09

Same Page?

The Obama administration cannot seem to get its story straight. So far this week, they have released contradicting statements on Israel, the economy, a second stimulus and healthcare. Is the administration already showing cracks?  PLUS: Tom tries to make sense of the insanity surrounding Michael Jackson’s memorial service.

 

SC Serial Killer

The man suspected of the recent South Carolina killing spree has been shot and killed.  Local officials were livid Patrick Burris was out on the street given his long criminal record.  South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Chief Reggie Lloyd joins Tom to explain why Burris should have been in prison!

 

Tax the Rich!

The left’s healthcare and climate change agendas are bold and expensive.  And how will this all be paid for? Taxing the rich, of course! However, like most things the government does, taxing the rich will create unintended consequences. Tom explains why taxing the rich isn’t the fix-it-all the left thinks.

 

 

 

What's on The Tom Sullivan Show 7-6-09

2012 Prep?

As pundits speculate about Gov. Sarah Palin’s surprising announcement on Friday, Tom thinks her future is pretty clear -- and it doesn't include a 2012 run.  Do you think Palin will return to politics?  Was this a smart move?

 

Blood Sport?

What does the coverage of Gov. Palin's resignation say about the current state of politics and the media?  Does the ‘blood sport’ of politics deter the nation's best and brightest from serving our country?

 

Jackson's Will

As Michael Jackson’s family prepares for his memorial service tomorrow, questions persist about the future of his estate.  The handling of a will can be a very complex process.  Is your will set?  PLUS: The “New GM” deal is approved.

 

 

 

 

What's on the Tom Sullivan SHow 7-3-09

Custody Case

Michael Jackson’s former wife says she now wants custody of the two children she had with the pop star - Prince Michael and Paris - as well as his third child “Blanket”.   She reportedly has had minimal contact with the kids, but as their biological mother (presumably), does Rowe have a right to get them back?  Also, why are Americans so nosy?  Is it necessary to release the dramatic 9-11 call and the details of Jackson’s will just because we’re curious?

 

Facebook Dilemmas

Are you tired of all your ex’s ending up on your “suggested friends” list on Facebook?  You are ending up on theirs, too!  When you’re contacted by old friends and co-workers, how do you react to them?  If you don’t want to stay in contact, do you tell them so, or ignore them?  How much time do you spend on social networking sites?  Also, do you have a “neighbor from hell”?  How do you deal with them?  Spencer needs to know!!!

 

Happy Birthday USA!

It’s Fourth of July weekend – have we lost the meaning of America’s Birthday?  Does the younger generation even care?  Why do we celebrate nonsensical holidays with more passion than our own Independence Day?  And, what happened to our  country’s sense of self-reliance and determination?  Why are we insisting on turning to the government for everything!  Plus, which gizmo -- cell phone, Internet, or television -- would you be able to give up first?