Robert Maguire's Library tagged mccain →  View Popular

Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who suggested paying for the additional troops “…through a freeze on discretionary spending — specifically, holding 2009 appropriations at 2008 levels, which he said would generate $60 billion.”

Someone needs to tell the senator that fiscal 2009 ended at midnight September 30, 2009, that is more than two months ago.

• The 2010 Pentagon budget means "every man, woman and child in the United States will spend more than $2,700 on (defense) programs and agencies next year," reports the Cato Institute. "By way of comparison, the average Japanese spends less than $330; the average German about $520; China's per capita spending is less than $100."
• "(The Pentagon budget) dwarfs the combined defense budgets of U.S. allies and potential U.S. enemies alike," reports Hearst Newspapers.
• "President (Obama) is on track to spend more on defense, in real dollars, than any other president has in one term of office since World War II," reports National Journal's Government Executive magazine.
• In 2000, the Pentagon admitted it has lost -- yes, lost -- $2.3 trillion. In 2003, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that a subsequent Department of Defense study said it was only $1 trillion. To put such numbers in perspective, contemplate what those sums could finance. $1 trillion, for instance, could pay the total cost of universal healthcare for the long haul. $2.3 trillion would cover universal healthcare plus the bank bailout plus the stimulus package.

Holtz-Eakin, a 51-year-old policy wonk, is still unemployed a year after his gig as Sen. John McCain's top health guru dried up along with the Arizona Republican's bid for the presidency.

Now, the Washington Post reports, Holtz-Eakin's coverage under COBRA is about to run out and his outlook for an individual policy is grim.

His big problem is a big preexisting condition. He had major surgery after his right kidney was damaged in an accident in 1990. "They got rid of the artery, moved my kidney and rebuilt me for the 21st century," the told the Post. "If you look at my file, any insurance company would go, 'Hmm . . .' "