Captioning sponsored MacNEIL/LEHRER ODUCTIONS
>> Lehrer: GOOD EVENIN I'M JIM LEHRER. ON THE NEWSHOURHIS MONDAY: THE LEAD STORY ISHE LAST DAY OF CAMPAIGNING BEFORE THURSDAY' AFHAN ELECTIONS AND A BATTLEFIELD RERT FROM NORTHEAST AFGHANISTAN; EN COME THE OTHEREWS OF THE DAY; THE LATEST ON HEALTH CE REFORM WITH VOICES OF AMERANS FROM OUND THE COUNTRY; AND A LOO T THE PUBLIC PLAN OPTION VERS A COP COMPROMISE; PLUS, TWO TAKEON LOCAL BUDGET CRISES-- CHICAGO MPORARILY SHUTS DOWN LIBRIES, HEALTH CLINICS AND GARBAGE COLLECTI; AND CITIES AND COUNTIEIN CALIFORNIA CUT BACK ON MEDICAL AND SOCIA SERVICES PLUS A PROFE OF A COLLTOR OF WORDS AND JUNK. MAJOR FUNDING FOR THE NEHOUR WITH JIM LEHRER IS PROVIDED BY:
>> TINY LITTLE THING, IT'S JUST... NOT BIG. AH... OKAY, I FOUND . ( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ) OKAY. WE ARE INTEL, SPONSORS O TOMROW.
>> WHAT THE WOD NEEDS NOW IS ENGY. E ENERGY TO GET THE ECONOMY HUMMING AGAIN. THE ENERGY TO TACE CHALLENGES LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE. WHAT IS THAENERGY CAME FROM ANóé ENERGY COMPA? EVERYDAY, CHEVRON INVESTS $ MILLION IN PEOPLE, INDEAS-- SEEKING, TEACHING, BUILDING. FUELING GROWTH AROUND THE WLD TO MOVE US ALAHEAD. THIS IS THE POWEOF HUMAN ENRGY. CHEVRON. THE WILLIAM AND FLORAEWLETT FOUNDATIONWORKING TO SOLVE CIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AT HOME AND AROD THE WORLD. AND WITH THE ONGOING SPORT OF THESE INITUTIONS AND FOUNTIONS. ND... THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIB BY THE CORPORATN FOR PUIC BROADCASTING. AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOURBS STION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU. THNK YOU.
>> Lehrer: MASS RALLIEWERE HELD ACROSS GHANISTAN TODAY ON THE FINAL Y OF CAMPAIGNING AHEAD OFHURSDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. LINDSEY HILSUM OF INDENDENT TELEVISION NEWS BEGINOUR LEAD STORY COVERE FROM KABUL.
>> Reporte HIER AND HIGHER. LL FOR A D FOR THEIR CANDIDATE -THE MAN THEY HOPE LL UNSEAT THE AFGHA PRESIDENT AND WIN THURSDAS ELECTIONS. ROARS OF ENTHUSIM FROM THE CROWD GTHERED AT KABUL'S MAIN STADIUM, GREETE ABDULLAH DULLAH, A FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER WHOSEEMSLIKELY TO GE ENOUGH VOTES TO FORCE A SECOND-ROUND RUNOFF WIH PRESIDENT KARZ. LEAFLETS DROPPED FOM HELICOPRS. THE PILOTS WE LATER ARREST FOR VIOLATG KABUL'S AIRSPACE. BUT YOU'RE ALYS ON THE EDGE OF CHAOS HER THE STAGE, ERE CAMERAMEN WERE STANDING, COLLAPSED UNDER THE WEIGHT AND THE CWDS POURED OVER THE FENCES TO GET CLOSE TO TH CANDIDATE. MEN IN PLAINCLOTHES A ARMED. SUIDE BOMBERS MA BE IN SHT AT ANY TIME. THE TALIBAN HAS THREATENED DISRUPT THE VE. IS HAS ALL THE APPEARANCE OF REAL ELECTION, WITH RALLIES LIKE THIS, CAMIGNS, MULTIPLE CANDIDATES AND A LEVEL OF EXCITEMENT THAYOU CAN HEAR. BUT IN MANY PLACES, WT'S REALLY IMPORTANT ISNOT WHO WS AND WHO LOSES BUT WHHER PEOPLE SAFE OUGH TO VOTE AND WHETHER THEY HAVE FAITH ENOUGH INHE YSTEM TO DARE TO COME OUT ON POLLING Y. DRABDULLAH'S SUPPORTERS, MOSTLY ETIC SAY.
>> TY WANT CHANGE THE PEOPLE OFFGHANISTAN WANT ANGE.
>> Reporter: PRESIDT KARZAI'S SUPPORTERS ON THE SEETS OF BUL. HE HASHE LOYALTY OF MANY PASHTUNS BUT MANYLAIM SECURITY IS GETTING WORSE AND HE'S DNE DEALS WITH WAR LOR AND DRUG DEALERS TO STAY POWER. ABD SALAAM, KWN ASOCKETY HAS SEEN IT ALLIRST A AUJD COMMANDER FIGHTING T RUSSIANS THEN -- FIRST AS A MUGEHADEAN COMNDER FIGHTIN T RUSSIS.
>> T BIGGES HOPE S THE NEW GOVERNMENT AND E FORGNERS ULD BRING PEACE, DEVELOENT AND SECUTY. PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING A GOOD EDUCATION AND MUCH MORE FREEDOM. BUT SECURITY TURNED TO INSECURITY, BUILDING CAME DESTRUCTION AND EDUCATION ENDED UP AS IGNONCE. >>eporter: IN A TELEVISED DEBATE LT NIGHT, PRESIDENT KARZAI BRUSHED OFF THE CRIT SAME -- CRITICIS SAYING HE'SHE ONLY ONE THAT CAN BRING THE TALIBAN TO THE TLE AND DEAL WITH WAR LORDS ARE THE NAME OF NATIONALSECURITY. WE FOUND SUORTERS OF THE PRESIDENT OSIDE THE LUXURIOUS ME OUTSIDE OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS WAR LD WHO RETURNED FROM EXILE IN TURKEY LA NIGHT. IN 2001, DTOM ALLEGEDLY ALLOW 2,000 PRISONERS SUFCATE TO DEATH INHIPPING CONTAINERS BUT NO MATTER,HE PRESIDENT NEEDS THE VOES OF THE UZBEK COMMUNI WHICH HE HEADS.
>> TOD, OUR COMMANDING GNERAL DUSTUM WILLCOME AND BY HIS ORDER W WILL CAMPAIGNFOR MR. KARZAI. WE HAVE BN ORRED BY GENERA DOSTOM TO DO SO.
>> Reporter: KABUL REMAINS POOR. SHTIES SPRAWLING, ROA UNPAVED DESPITE BIIONS IN INERNATIONAL AID. >>ehrer: INSURGENTS HAVE VOWED TO DISRUPT THE ELEION AND SHUT DOWN SECURITY OPERATIONS THE AYS LEADING UP TO THE VOTE. TODAY A ROSIDE BOMBING IN THE SOUTH KILLED AN ARICAN SOLDIER. D IN THE EAST, THE U.S. ARM IS FACING A PROTRACTED BTLE AGAINST THE LIBAN. NICK YTON WALSH OF INDEPENDENT TELEVISION NEWS REPORTS FR FORWARD OPETING BASE KEATING, A TINY COMBAT POST AT THE BTOM OF ATEEP RAVINE.
>> Reporter::00 A.M. EN ROE TO ONE OF AMECA'S MOST BESIEGED OUTPOSTS. THE PILOTS WN'T LAND IN THIS VALLEY EXCEPT ONHE DARKEST OF NIGHTS WHEN THEY' ESCOED BY GUSHIPS. THE TALIBAN OFT LIEIN WAIT IN THE DARKNESS OF THISEMOT E VALLEY. THE GUNSHIPS FIRE A MISSILE INTO HE HILLSIDE. A WARNING SHOT.
>> Repter: TPOST KEATING IS THE FURTHEST REACH OF AMERIC POWER, SURRNDED BY MOUNTAINS NEAR HE PAKISTANI BORDER, A LANDING SO DIFFICULT THE PLOTS WORRY THEIR ROTOR BLADES COULD IP THE HILLSIDE. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY INOR OUT THE HILLS ALL AROUNDRE F BEAUTY BUT ALSO CONSTANT,EADLY ATTACKS.
>> WE'RE RROUNDED, SITTING IN A BOWL, WE'RE CONSTANTLY ON OBSERVATION.
>> CAPTAIN PORR LEADS A FEW DOZEN MEN PINNED DOWNAMONG THE SANDBAGS. THEY DON'T HAVE MUCH CONTACT WITH THE LOCALS APART FROM WH THEY SHOOT AT THEIR BASE WE'VE HAD OVER 35 CNTACTS TH THE ENEMY SINCE HAVE BEEN HERE IN JUST UNDER TEE MOTHS, SO THEY'RE KEING US ON OUR TOES. MY BOSS TOLD ME TO CE HERE.
>> Reporter: AN AFGHAN ARM PATROL RETUS TO BASE FROM T HILLS AOMPANIED BY LATVIAN SOLDIERS TRAINING THEMS PART OF NATO. LIFE HERE IS A WAITING GE, AND THEN THE VERY WORST HAPPEN ONE MOMENT IT'S MORNING, E XT IT'S AN AUSH. THE LATAN FELL ONTO OUR AMERAMAN. THE BUET SO CLOSE FRAENTS T HIS LEG. THERE IS A RUSH TO COV. WE DON'T KOW WHE TO R OR WHICH HILLTHESE SHOTS ARE COMINFROM. [GUNFIRE]
>> THE AFGHAN SOLDIERS RETURN FIRE BLINDLYAT THE HILLS BUT THE AMERICANS LIE IN WAIT LOOKING FOR THE INSURGE RGENTS. SOON THEY SEE IT. -- -- FOR TH INSURGENTS. SOON HEY SEE T, THE MUZZLE FLASH.
>> THIS IS HOW THE WAR GOES, HERE -- A FEW POTSHOTSND THE TALIBAN MET WITH OVWHELMING AMERIC FIREPOWER. AGONIZING WAIT ISABOUT. T BASE IS NOW UNDER CONSISTENT HEAVY ATTAC IT'S BEEN GOING O FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR SO. NO IDEA WHEN 'S GOING TO STOP. WE GET BACK INTO T BASE, BUT ANOTHER ATTACK SN FOLLOWS. THE LATVIANS, WHO SUFFERED NO SERUS INJURIES IN THE ATTACK, ARE ANGRY. THEY SAW THREEEN CLBING IN HE HILLS EARLIER BUT COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. THE MEN HAD NO WEAPONS T COULD HAVEIDDEN THEM IN THE ROCKS. YOU CAN JUST SHOOT ANYBODY, OR SOMEBODY BECAUS YOU'RE SUSPICIO.
>> THE GHANS ALSO BROKE A KEY RULE, RETURNING FOM THE MORNING'S PATROL ON THE ME ROAD THEY WEN OUT O MAKING IT EASY FOTHE MILITAN TO AMBUSH THEM. AMERICA'S EXIT STRATEGYNVOLVES DOUING THE SIZE OF ITS ARMY IN JUSTA YEAR, BUT WILL IT BE A MATCH OR EXPERIENCED INSURGENTS?
>> THEY WANT TO BUI QUANTITY RAPIDLY, AND I UNDERSTANWHY. THERE IS A L OF AREA TO COVER, YOU KNOW,UT IF YOU GO VERY FAST IN QUANTITY, THAT'S JUS -- YOU CAN'T ACHIEVE UALITY.
>> CAPTAIN PORTER DEBRIEFS T AFGHANS, THE LOL POLICE COMPLAINING THEY DOT HAVE ANY BULLS.
>> WITHOUT MUNITION, IT IS POSSIBLE. I'M IMPONT. I DON'T HAVE AMMUNITIO
>> Reporter: THEY ALSO DISCUSSED THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. TH VOTING BOOTHS WILL BE RIG NEXT TO WHE THE AMBUSH WAS. THEY KN WHAT SORT OF DAY IT COULD BE.
>> DURING A VOTINGDAY, WEEED TO PUT IN POSITIONS.
>> HOW MUCH SANATTLE AND H MUCH WIRE -- HOW MANY SANDBAGS WE'RE GOING TO NEED AND HOW MANY WIRE WE'RE GOING TO ND. ♪
>> porter: SO MUC FOR THEIR TORTUOUS WAIINSIDE THE STONE BUNKERS, WATCHNG HERE LKE VIEAM'S HAMBURGER HILL, THE IS NOING BUT TIME TO KILL. >>HAT NIGHT,HEY'RE WOKE BY AN EXPLOSI, THEN GUNFIRE. SLPLESSNESS, DARK, THY HAVE TO STAY ALERT. BUT WHEN A SIMILAR AACK HIT THE CANTEEN, A CHEF AND WORKER WE FLUNG ACROSS THE ROOM AND BADLY HURT. THE BAS WAS BUILT BY A RECONSTRUCTIONEAM YEARS AGO, HOPING T REBUILD IN THE AREA, T NOW IT'S SO HOSTILE THEY'RE NOT GETTING NEAR THE PEOPLE AT ALL, OR WINNING ANY HEARTS AND MINDS, ANWANT TO USE THEIR MEN ANOTHER, SAFER AREA, WHERE THEY COULD INTERACT WITH LOCALS, A CHANGE OF STRATEGY BEING DISCUSSED ACROSS NA HERE. FOR NOW, THOUGH, A KEATING, THE RREAL STANDOFF CONTINUES. IF EY LEAVE, THEY GIVE E ALIBAN A SMALL VICTORY. IFHEY STAY, THEY GET T. AND UNTILOMEONE MAKES THAT CHOICE FOR THEM, ALL THESE MEN CAN DO IS WAI Lehrer: TODAY, PHOENIX
>> Leer: TODAY IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA PRESIDENT OMA WARNED THFIGHT AGAINST THE TALIBAN WON BE QUICK OR EASY. AT A GATHING OF VETERANS OF FOREIGN WS HE INSISTED "THIS IS NOT AAR OF CHOICE. THIS IS A WAR OF NECESSITY. INTHER NEWS TODAY, THE TOP U. COMMANDER IN IRAQ SAID HE WANTS TO DEPLOY ARICAN TROOPS TO DISPUTED ARS IN THE NORTH. ARMY GENERAL RAY ODIERNOAID THEY WOULPROVIDE OVERSIGHT AND HELP EASE TENSIONS BEEEN KURDISH ANDRAQI FORCES. IN RECENT WEEKS, THERE'BEEN A SPIKE IN BOMBINGS IN THE RTH. THE MOVE WOULD BE A DERTURE OM THE SECURITY PACT CALLING ON AMERICATROOPS TO PULL BACK FROM POPULATED AREAAT THE END OF JUNE. ODIERNSTRESSED NO FINAL DECISION HAS BEEN MAD SENATOR JIM WEBB OVIRGINIA LLED FOR A NEW APPROACH TO SANCONS ON MYANMAR. THAT'S AFTER E DEMOCRAT MET TH THE DETAINED OPPOSITION LEADER AHNG SAN C DURING A RARE SIT TO THE CNTRY ALSO KNOWN AS BURMA. TOY IN BANGKOK, THAILAND, WEBB INDICATESOO CHEE COULD BE EASING R STANCE ON U.S. SANCTIONS.
>> WITH RESPECT TO AUNG SAN SUU KYI, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE RISK OF MISREPRESENTING HER VIEWS, BUT WOULD S TO YOUT WAS CLEAR IMPRESON FROM HER THAT SHE IS NOT OOSED TO LTING SOME SANCTIONS, BUT IT'S ALL I WOULD WANT TO SAY. I DON'T WANT TO MISREPRESENT HER VIEWS.
>> Lehrer: WLE ON THE TRIP, WEBB ALSO SECURED THE RELEASOF AMERICAN JN YETTAW. HE WAS SENTENCED TO SEN YEARS INPRISON LAST WEEK FOR HELPING SOCHEE VIOLATE THE TERMS OF HER HOUSE ARREST. IN SOUTHERN RSIA, A SUICIDE BOING KILLED AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE AND WOUND OVER 130 MORE. IT HAPPENED IN THE NORTH UCASUS REGION, NEAR CHECHNYA THE AREA HAS EN AN INCREASE IN MILITANT VIOLCE IN RECENT MOHS. A TRUCK FILLED WITH EXPLOSES RAMD THROUGH THE GATES OF A POLICE STATIONSPARKING A FIRE THABURNED FOR HOURS. THERWAS NO IMMEDIATE CLAIM OF RESPONSIBILITY. THE U.S. DERTMENT OF JUSTICE CHARGED A MII MAN TODAY IN THE LARGEST CASOF IDENTITY THEFT EVER IN THE U.S FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ALLEGE ALBERT GONZALEZ HKED INTO RETAIL NETWORKS TO STEALATA FROM 1 MILLION ACCOUNTS. CUSTOMERS OF THE CONVENNCE STORE ANT 7-ELEVEN AND THE SUPERMARKET CHA HANNAFORD ROTHERS WERE AMONG THE TARGE. GZALEZ IS ALREADY IN JAIL AWAITING TRIAL INNOTHER HACKING CASE. TH FIRST HURRICANE OF THE ATLANTIC SEON PICKED UP STRENGTH TOY AS IT CHURNED IN OPEN TERS. HURRICANE BL PACKED WINDS UP TO 90 MILES PER HOUR, PUTNG IT ON A COURSE TO HIT BERMU. FORECASTERS EXPECT IT WI BECO A MAJOR HURRICANE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. OTHE GULF COAST, TROPICAL STORM CLAETTE WEAKENED TO A DEPRESSION AS IT CAME ASHOREN FLORIDA AND PAED OVER SOUTHERN ALABAMA. ON WALL STREETODAY: U.S. STOCKS JOINEA GLOBAL DOWNTURN. THEY SUFFERED THEIR RST LOSS IN SEVENEEKS, PROMPTED BY A STOCK SELL-OFF IN ASIA D EUROPE. THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVEGE LOST 186 POINTS CLOSE AT 9135. THNASDAQ FELL 54 POINTS TO CLOSE OVER 19. AND SLL TO COME ON THE NEWSHOUR TONIGHT: SHUTTINGOWN PUBLIC SERCES IN CHICAGO; AND TTING LOCAL BUDGETS IN CALIFORNIA. THATOLLOWS THE LATEST ON THE HEALTH CARREFORM DEBATE. THE OBAMA ADMINISATION SENT OUT SIGNALS THIS WEEKD ABOUT POSSIBLE COMPMISES. THAT WAS THE RESULTF DEBATE AND DISENT IN AND AROUND TOWN HALLS AROUND THE COUY. OUR PBS LLEAGUES HAVE CAPTURED SOME OF THE VOICES AND CONCERNS. JUDY WOOUFF REPORTS.
>> odruff: FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE TO IOWA TO MONTAN AND POINTS BEYOND,MERICANS HAVE FLOCKED TO TOWN HALLS TO VOICE THR OPINIONS ON HETHCARE REFORM HIS AUGUST. IN CHARLESTON, WT VIRGINIA, LARRY MEDLEY STOOD TSIDE A RECENT MEETING HELD BY DEMOCRAT SENATOR JAY ROCKEFELLER. HIS SIGSAID IT ALL.
>> I DON'T THI IT MAKES A LOT ENSE TO, SO QUICKLY, SURREND 1/6th OF OUECONOMY TO THE GOVERNMENT.< I THK WE... I'M NOT SAYING THAT PRESENT H.R. SYSTEM IS PERFECT ATLL. I' NOT SAYING THAT AT ALL. CERTNLY, I THINK THAT WE DON'T ED TO JUMP IN AND THROW THE BABY OUT WITHHE BATHWATER.
>> odruff: AMY BORD WAS PART OF A SMALL MEETINGITH ROCKEFELLER. HER SON HAS LEUKEMI AND SHE AND HER HUSBAND RECENTLSAW THEIR INSURANCE CUT O BECAUSE ITHAD REACHED A CAP ON PAYMENT OF $1 MILLION.
>> WWANT TO PAY WHAT WE OWE, FAIRLY. BUT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DTHAT, AND NOBODY'S OUT THE TO HELP US. BUT IF WE DIDN'WORK AND WE DIDN'T CONIBUTE, WE WOULDN'T HAVEO WORRY ABOUT IT. AND WE'BE ABLE TO SPEND THE TIME WE DO HAVE AT HOMEITH OUR WINS WHO WE HAVEN'T SEEN FOR THE PT FOUR MONTHS BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN AT E HOSPITAL ALL THE TIME.
>> Woodr ROCKEFELLER LATER MADE THE CA FOR A GOVERNMENT PLAN-- THE SO-CAED PUBLIC OPON--HAT WOULD COMPETE WITH PRIVATE SURERS.
>> MY GUESS IS THERS 158 MY GUESS IS THAT PUBLIC INSURANCE AT THE BEGINNING, OUT OF THE SER TERROR AT THE THOUGHT OF IT, ALL ONG, WILL GET RELAVELY FEW PEOP, BUT I THINK THE WILL GROW ASEOPLE -- IT WILLORCE PEOPLE TO BECOME MORE SOPHISTICED ABOUT THE INSURANCE MARKET AND WHAT THEY'RE GETNG CHARGED.
>> Woodruff: IN NEW HAMPSRE LAST WEEK, A CAL BAND OF SUPPORTERS AND PROTESTERS T THE PRESIDENT. SUSAN BRANYEN IS AN INRANCE AGENT.
>> I'VE READ THE BILL, I' DOWNLOADED IT AND READIT AND PEOPLE WOULDBE SHOCKED IF THEY WOULD READ IT. I'M ALSO WORRIED ABOUT ALL THESE COMPANIES THROWN O OF COMPANIES BECAUSE OF IS.
>> WHAT WOULD TH DO IF THAT HAPPENS?
>> I THINK MANY OF MY cl*tS WL GO TO THE GOVERNMT PLAN A THEN BLUE CROSS, CIGNA, TEY ON'T SURVIVE WITH FEWER NUMBE OF PEOPLE. YOU NEED SUFFICIENT NUMBS OF PEOPLE TO MAKE IT WORK.
>> Woodruff: ANDY JOHNSONAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF T STET, AN THE DEBATE.
>> PEOPLE OV ON THE OTHER SIDE ARE OBVIOUSLY CONFUSED BY E SIZE, ELDERLY AINST OBAMA RE, SOCIALISM IS ONE OFTHEM, RSES AGAINST HEALTH CARE IS ANOTHER -- I MEA WHAT DO THEY THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN SOME O THOSE PEOPLERE ON MEDICARE AND MEDICA AND ALREA HAVEOCIALIZED HLTH RE.
>> TOM PETRIE IS A REPUBLICA CONGRESSMAN FROM WICONSIN. HE ENCOUNRED OUTRIGHT HOSTILITY TO REFORAT A RECENT TOWNHALL MEETING >>THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS NT FAVOR CIALIZED MEDINE. WHEN Y'REALKING ABOUT BILL TT INVOLVES PURCHASING HALTH SERVICES D WHAT'S MANDATED AND WHAT'S REUIRED, THE AR IS THAT YOU WILL START HAVING HEALTH CARE RATIONIND IN OTHER COUNTRIES,T'S CERTAINLY WIDELY TALKED ABOU ANYWAY, THAT YOU ARE OVER A CERTAIN AGE YOU MAY OT GET, YOU MAY HE TO WA FOR CERTAINYPES OF SERVES THAT YOU DN'T IN THE UNITED STATES, WHETHER IT'S A HIP TRANSPLANT ORCHIDNY IALYSIS.
>> Woouff: BILLY MMEL WAS IN PEOR, IOWA TO HEAR CHARLES GRASSY. GRSLEY IS ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN NEGOTTORS ON THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTE WORKING TO SHAPE HEALTH CARE BILL.
>> HEALTCARE -- I'M CROSSING FIERS AND HOPING THAT THE SAME RUMBLINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS WILL CONTINUE TO RUMBLE A LITTLE BIT LONGER. I'M GD THEY'RE COMING T A HEAD. I'M GLAD THERE IS SOME DISCUSSI GOING ON. UT I HOPE THATHE DISCUSSION LEADS TO ATALEMATE RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW ISOT THE TIME TO GO IN ME DEBT, AND THAT'S THE OY WAY TO PAY FOR THIS. AN THERE IS NO DOLL AUNT, CONCRETE, TH ANYONE CAN PUT TO IT, AND UNTIL THAT HAPPENS WE'VE GOT TOJUST SAY NO FOR A SECOND -- THE SAME AS NYONE'S PERSONAL BUGET, IF YOU DON'T KW WHAT'S ON THEHORIZON, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CUSHI OF CRAS TO ABSORB OSE, YOU HA NO BUSINESS STKING YOUR NECK OUTECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT CHOPPEDUV OFF.
>> IN WINTERSET IOW KATE BASIN VOICED HER VIEW OF SUPPORT.
>> I THINK YOU TELL A COURY BY HOW THEY TAT THEIR WEAKER PPLE AND EVERYBODY IS SO TUNED ON, "OH, GOD, IT'SY TAX DOLLARS,MAYBE THEY NEED TO LEARN TO GIVE ALT BIT. THINK ABOUTHAT OUR TAXESET US. THEY GET US CLEAN WATER. THEY T US GOODROADS. THEY GET USOCIAL SECURITY THAT A LOT OF OLDER PELE COUNT ON -- MEDICARE SOCIALIZED SO -- A MOST PEOPLE ARE VERY HAPPY WITMEDICARE. SO -- AND YETTHESE PELE COME IN HERE AND SHOUT THESE -- YOU KNOW, LIES -- THERE IS NO OTHER GOOD WORD FOR THEM WE NEED BE A FACT-CHECKING COUNTRY TT HAS A TRUTHF DIOGUE, AND THAT STANDSUP TO PEOE THAT DISTORT THE UTH.
>> Woodruff: THE TOWN HALLS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL TH AUGUST CONGRESSIONAL RESS IS OVER.
>> hrer: AND NOW THE LATEST ON THE CRAFTING OF MOR REFORM AND SSIBLE COMPROMISES. GWEN IFL HAS THAT PART OF THE STORY.
>> Ifil WITH POLLS DROPPING D PROTESTS RISING, THE OBAM ADMINTRATION APPEARS WILLING TO COMPROMISE ON A KEY PECT OF ITS ALTH REFORM PROPOSAL, THE SOALLED PUBLIC OPTION. THE GOVERNMENT-BACKEPLAN, SILAR TO MEDICARE, WOULD ALLO CONSUMERS TO CHOOSE SOMETHG OTR THAN PRIVATE INSURANCE. T COMPETITION, BACKERS SAY, WOULD KEEP COSTS LOWE BUT KEY MEMBERS OFONGRESS GUE IT WOULD PUT PRIVATE INSURERST A DISADVANTAGE. YESTERDAY, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY KATHLEEN SEBELIUS SOFTENED HELANGUAGE ABOUT THE NEED FOR A PUBLIC OPTION.
>> I THINK WHAT'S IMPTANT IS CHOICE D COMPETITION. AND I'M CONVINCEDT THE END OF THE Y THE PLAN WILL HAVE BOTH OF THOSE. BUT THAT IS NOT THE ESSENAL ELEMENT.
>> Ifill: AND AT A CORADO TOWN HALL MEETING ON SATURD, PRESINT OBAMA SAID THE LACK OF A PUBLIOPTION, WHICH HE HAS PPORTED MIGHT NOT BE A DEAL- BREAKER.
>> THIS IS AEGITIMATE DEBATE TO HAVE. ALL I'M SAYI IS, THOUGH, THAT THE PUBLIC OPTION, WTHER WE HAVE IT OR WE N'T HAVE IT, IS NOT THE ENTIRETY OF HETH CARE REFORM. THIS IS JUST ONE SLER OF IT.
>> Ifill: THE POLICAL REALITY WAS MOST DECTLY SUMMED UP SUND BY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR KENT CONRAD OF NORTH DAKO.
>> THE FACT OF T MATTER IS, THERE ARE NOT THE VOS IN THE UNITED STATES SENATFOR THE PUBLIC TION. THERE NEVEHAVE BEEN. SO TO COINUE TO CHASE THAT RABBIT, I TNK, IS JUST A WAED EFFORT.
>> Ifill:ONRAD IS INSTEAD TRYING TO ASSEMBLE SPORT FOR ANOTR ALTERNATIVE, NONPROFIT HEALTH CARE COOPERATIVES.
>> CO-OPS ARE VY PREVALENT IN R SOCIETY. EY'VE BEEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS MODE OF COURSE. WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF TM HERE IN MY HOME STATE OF NORTH DAKA. WE VE RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES IN 4STATES. LAND O'LAKES IS A CPERATIVE. ACE HARDWARE IS A COOPERATI. THE ASSOATED PRESS IS A COOPERATIVE. HAVE SUCCESSFUL COOPERATIVE IN HEALTH CARE. GROUP HEALTH IN SEATT HAS 600,000 PEOPLE, ANDT'S THE MOST HHLY RATED PLAN IN THE STATE OWASHINGTON. SO THIS IS MODEL THAT WORKS. IT'S NOTOVERNMENT-RUN AND GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED. IT'S MEMBERSP-RUN AND MEMBERSHIP-CONTROED. BUT IT DOES PVIDE A NONPROFIT MPETITOR FOR THE FOR-PROFIT INSURAE COMPANIES, AND THAT'S WHY IT HAS APPEAL ON BH SIDES. 'S THE ONLY PLAN THAT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE UNED STATES SENAT
>> Ifill: UNDER THE PLANTHE GOVERNMT WOULD PROVIDE START- UPUNDING TO DOCTORS, HOSPITALS ANBUSINESSES TO CREATE CO-OPS, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY GOTIATE FOR WER RATES. BUT LIBERALS WHO PPORT THE PUBLIC OPTION SAY COPS WILL NEVER WO. FORMER DEMOCRAT PARTY CHAIRMAN HOWARD DEAN, PHYSICIAN, SPOKE ON CBS' "THE EAR SHOW" THIS MONING.
>> YOU CAN'T HAVE REFORM WITHO A PUIC OPTION. MY GUESS IS THE REPUBLICA AREN'TOING TO VOTE FOR THIS BI NO MATTER WHAT. THRE'S NO POINT IN MAKING A LO OF CONCESSIS TO PEOPLE WHO EN'T GOING TO VOTE FOR THE BILL UNER ANY CIRc*msTANCES ANYWAY.
>> Ifill: SOME COERVATIVES WHO OPPOSE A PUBLIC PLANAY THEY ARE WILLING TO AT LEAST COIDER CO-OPS. REPUBLICARICHARD SHELBY OF ALABAMA: IT WOULD BE A... I BELIEVE STEP IN THE RIGHDIRECTION AWAY FROM A GOVNMENT TAKEOVER OF R HEALTH CARE IN THIS COUNTR I D'T KNOW IF IT WILL DO EVERYTHINGEOPLE WANT, BUT WE OUGHT TO LOOAT IT. I THINK IT'S A FACRY FROM THE ORIGAL PROPOSALS.
>> IfillHOUSE AND SENATE NEGOTIATORS AREOPING TO ACHIE MIDDLE GROUND NEXT MONTH. HELP US UNDERSTAND MORE ABO SOME OF THE OIONS BEING CONSIDERED, HOW THEY MHT WORK AND THE POLICS AT PLAY, WE TURNO: CECI CONNOLLY, NATIONAL HEALTH POCY CORRESPONDENT FOR TH "WASHINGTON POST"; AND SUSAN DENTZER, THE ETOR IN CHIEF OFHE JOURNAL "HEALTH AFFAIRS"-- SHE'ALSO A HEALTH ANALYST FOR T NEWSHOUR. LADI, WELCOME. RELITY-CHECK TIME. HOW MUCH IS THE PUBL OPTION, CECI, REALLY FADING AND HOW MUCH IS THE CO-OP IDEA GAINING FORCE?
>> THE PUBLIC OPTION HAS BEEN FADING QTE A BIT FOR QUI SO TIME, THE DYNAMIC ISN THE FINANCE MMITTEE, THERE ARE NOT VOTES IN E SENATE FOR WHAT IS CALLED A ROST GOVERNMENT OPTION, SO THEY HAVE BEEN LOKING AT THIS CO-OP IDEA FOR QUI SOME TIME, B IT'S NOT ENTELY CLEAR THAT THEY HAVE E VOTES FOR THAT THER, SO IT'S VERY MU A WORK IN PROGRESS.
>> HELP DESIBE WHAT CO-OPS ARE AND WHAT THE DIINCTION TWEEN WHAT THEY'RE PROSING DHAT A PUBLICLY BACKED OPON WOULD BE.
>> THE MAIN DEFINITI OF A CO-OP AT THEOMENT SEEMS TOE THT IT'S NOT A PUBLIC AN AND IT'S NOT PIVATE HEALTH INRANCE, IT'S A GOLDILOS SOMETHING IN BETWEEN, AS SENATOR CONRAD SAYS TH'RE SORT OF CASTING ABOUT TO MODELS IN THE LANDSCA TO GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT THIS MHT LOOKLIKE. ONE ISHE GROUP HEALTH MODEL IN WASHINGTON STATE AND NORTHERN IDAHO CLED AN INTGRATED DELIVERY SYSTM, WHERE THE INSUNCE FUNCTION IS ALL WRAPPED UP WITTHE DOCTORS, THE HOSPAL GROUP OWNS ITS OWN MEDIC FACILITIES AND YOU SIGN UP -- IT'S A CONMER COP, T'S GOVERNED BY A BOA OF CONSUMERS, ELECTED TRUSTEES WHO ARE CONSUMERS AND DECIDE THE POLICYND IN EFFECT WHAT YOU DO IS YOU SIGN UP AND BECOME A PART OF IS ORGANIZATION NOT UNLIKE THE WAY MANY PEOE SIGN UP AND BECOME A MEMB OF, SAY, KAIS PERMANENTER GEISINGEROR OTHER DELIVERY SYSTEMS AROU THE COUNTRY. THAT'S BON POTENTIAL MODEL.
>> DO WE KNOW ABOUT WHETHER A MODEL KE THAT CAN WORK ON NATIONAL SCALE?
>> THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION. A LOT OF THESE THINGS HAVE COME ABOUT OVER TIME, GROUP HEALTH AS BEEN ABOUT SINCE 1947, HOW YOU JUMP-STARTSOMETHING TH DOES NOT EXIST TOD BECOM A REALLY LARGE QUEION. THE OTHER MODEL IS REALLY TO STRIPWAY THE HETH CAREIECE AND TALK ABO AN INSURANCE CO-OP, A THIS GETS RE ALONG THE NES OF MANY OFFOW VIEWERS WILL KW MUTUAL INSURANCE COMNIES WHICH WERE OWNEDY POLICY HOLDERS. IT WOULD BTHAT SAME KIND OF MODEL I WHERE IN ESSENCE, THE POLICY OWNERS WOULD HOLD A LICY, WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY A SEPARATE HIGHER RATE OF RURN TO SHAREHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ANDOULD BE VERY STRICTLY REGULAT AND THEREFORE, POTENTIALLY, CT A LOT LE THAN PRIVATE INSANCE.
>> CECI, HOW WOULD THESE PLANS OR OTHER IAS BALANCE OUT RISK -- THCOST OF NSURING THE SICK VERSUS ENSURING THE- VERS INSURING THE HEALTHY?
>> THAT' AN IMPORTANT POINT TO GETTO. AS WE KNOW WITH THE COOPERATIVE INPUGET SOUND THEY HAVE IN EESS OF 500,000-600,000 MEMBERS. THAT'S IMPORTANT BEUSE YOU NEED THAT MANY PEOP IN YOUR RISK PO TO SPREAD AROUND THE RISK. WHATE'REALKING ABOUT IS A OD BALANCE OF YOUNG, HLTHY, OLD, SICK- YOU NAME IT -- PEOPLE BROUGHTNTO THE POOL S THAT YOU KIND OF SHA THOSE COSTS AROUND. THE OTHER INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS, GLENN, IS HAT THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING CULTURAL GOING ON HERE WITH THESE- THERE MIGHT CERTAIN PARTS OF OU COUNTRY THAT ARE MORE ACCUSTED TO OPERATING THIS DAY, LIKE THE IDEA OF LOCAL CONMERS KIND OF ORGANIZING AND NNING SOMETHING THAT MAY NO NECESSARILY BE ASOOD A FIT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
>> WHEN Y HEAR COMPARISONS TO TNGS LIKE RURAL ELECTRICAL CO-OPS OR ND O LAKES IT'S NOT NECESSARILCOMPARABLE TO THE COMPLITED EFFORT IT WOULD TAKE TO GET HEALTH CARE EQUIVALENTLY.
>> ABslu*tELY. IT ALSO REQUIRES DOCTORS AND NURSES ANDOTHER HEALTH CARE PRACTITIERS TO WORK IN A DIFFERENWAY THAN MA OF THEM NOW OPERATE. HERE IN THE WAsh*tON, D.C. REGIO WE HAVE A LOT OF ONE AND TWO AND THR DOCS KIND OF PRACTICING ON THE OWN. THESE MOLS TEND TO BE THE ONE AS SUSAN SAD, INTEGRATED CARE WHERE THERE REALLY WORKG AS TEAMS TOGETHER.
>> Ifill: THERIS A PLAN FOR HEALTH EXCHANGES TH POPS UP EVERY NOW AHEN WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE PUBLICPTION IS FADING.
>> THAT'S A SEPATE ISSUE. IT'S A QUEION OF HOW ARE YOU GOING ORGANIZE PURCHASING OLS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BUY COVERAGE ANHAVE THEIR RIKS IN EFFECTPREAD ACROSS A BIG POOL. IT'S THE SAME PRINCIPLECECI IS TALKG ABOUT. I'M A PEON WHO GETS MY INSURANCE THROUGH EMPLOYE IN EFFECT HAVE GROUP COVERAGE, IF I'M A HEALT PERSON THE RISKS ARE PUSHED ACRO THE WHOLE POL SO THE NOTION IS TO CREATE NEW HEALTH INSUNCE EXCHANGES, OR GATEWAYS, ON AEDERAL LEVEL THE STATE VEL, OR TH IN VARIOUS BIS, DIFFERENT APPROACHES ARE SPELLED OUT, AND THIS WOULD ENABLE PEOP WHO DON'T CURRENTLY HAVECOVERAGE THUGH AN EMPLOYER T ACCESS COVERAGE THRGH THE POOL. THERE WOULD BE STANDARDIZED BENEFIT PACKAS, YOU WOU BE ABLE TO COMPARIN SHOP, I COULD BUY THE AETNA COVEGE PAKAGE, I COULD B THE BLUEROSS COVERAGE PACKAGE AND THE OL IDEA WAS THAT THE PUBLIC PLN OULD ALSO PARTICIPATE IN TH POOL ANBE AN OPTION, AND THAT'S THEPTION THAT SEEMS TO BE FADING NOW.
>> Ifil: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE POLITICAL REATY CHECK HERE, WHICH IS THAT ON THE HOUSE SIDE I GUESS TRE ARE THREE HOUSE BILLS, ALL OF THEMNCLUDE A UBLIC OPTION AND MOST HOU DEMRATS SUPPORT IT. ON T SENATE DE, WHEREHIS EFFORT FOR BIPAISANSHIP HAS BEEN GOING FOR A MONTH, THER DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A BRHT A PICTURE FOR THE PUBLIC OPION. HEN DO THOSE TWO THINGS BEGIN TO CLASH?
>> THEYRE CERTAINLY CLASHING BEHIND T SCEES,AND THE WHE HOUSE LOOKING MUCH FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD - THE WHITE HOUSE IS STILL OPERATING OTHE ASSUMPTI THAT THEY GET SOME VERSION OF THAT HOUSE BILL PASSED ON THE HOE FLO -- MORE LIBERAL APOACH. THAT THEY'LL HAVE A SENATE VERSION, AND THAT THE EVERYTHING REAY STARTS HAPPENING IN THIS THI CALLED THE CONFERENCE CMITTEE WHEN YOU'VE GOT TO TAK THE SEPARATE VERSIONS OF THE BIL AND HAMMER OUT ALL THE DEALS, AND I KNOW FROM TALKING T MANY PELE IN HE WHITE HOUSE THAT THAT'SORT OF WHAT THEY'VE GOT EIR EYE ON. THEY'RE ALREADY TRYI TO THINK THROUGH TOHAT BUT IT'SEEN A VERY BUPY SUMMER FOR THEM, AND I THINK MAYBE THEY NEED TO SORT OF SP BACK TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE TION A LITTLE BIT HER FORE THEY GET TOOAR AHEADF THEELVES.
>> IfillIS THERE ANYIGN THAT ALTHIS -- THE BUMPINESS TH CECI TALKS ABOUT HAS AFFEED T ADMINISTRATION'S APPROACHO HEAL CARE OVERALL,HAT WT SAW OVER THE WEEND TRULY WAS A PULLBACK? OR WAS JU PLAYING FOR TIME? >I THINK THEY'REPANICKED. I THINK TH SEE THE PROSPECT OF THIS WHO THING GNG DOWN OVER THE SCARECTICS, OVEROME OF THE LEGIMATE CONCERNS ABOUT ME OF THESEPROVISIONS, AND I THINK IT'S CLEAR THAT THEY'VE HEARD THE MESSAGE, EVEN FROM MOCRATS. LET'SEEP IN MINDTHAT THE MO CSERVATIVE AND MODERATE DEMOCRATS FORCED BIG ANGES IN THE PUBLIC PLAN OION IN THE HOUSE, AND THEY ALSO INSTED TH THERE NOT BE A VOTE BEFO AUST BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S NOGOING TO COME OUT OF THE SENATE WITH A PUBLICPLAN, THEY DON'T NT TO GO OUT THER AND HANG THEMSELVES BY VOTING FOR SOMETHI THAT WILL NEVER COME ABOUT, SO I THINK EY'VE HEARD ENOUGH THAT -- THE ADMINTRATION HAS HEARD ENOUGH FROM EN THESE MODERATE A CONSERVATE DEMOCRATS THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TOFLY, YOU'RE TERRORIZING THE COUNTRY WITH THIS APOACH AND YOU HAVE GOT TO EASE UP AND AT LEST ALLOW FOR THE PROCESS TO PROCEED.
>> Ifill: DO KNOW IF THEY HAVE EMBRACED OR ARE WLING TO EMBRA THIS CO-OP NOTION OR HAVE BETTER IDEA?
>> THE WHITE HOE?
>> Ifill: THE WHE HOUSE.
>> I TNK THE WHITE HOUSE IS QUITE OPEN TO THEDEA OF A COOPERATIVE -- REALLY, ON SOME OF THESE POINTS DETAILS, NOT TO DERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OFHESE ELEMENTS, BUT REALLY, THEY'RE QUITE FLEXIBLE MANY OF THESE DETAILS. WHAT THEY WAN IS THEY WA A BILL.
>> Ifill: AND YOARE HEARING FLEXIBILITY AS WELL,SUSAN
>> DITTO. IT'S ALL UP FOR NEGOTIATION.
>> Ifill: SUSANND CEI, THAN.
>> Lehrer: YOU CAN FIND ME REPORTS FROOUR PBS COLLEAGUES ON OUR WEB SITE NESHOUR.PBS.ORG. WE ALSO HAVE MORE ABOUT THCO- OP INSURANCEOMPROMISE. NEXT TONIGHT: A TWO-PART RORT ON HOW THE BUDGECRUNCH IS IMPACTING CITIES AND STATES. FIRST, RAY SUAREZ ONHE SHUTDOWNODAY OF SOME CITYGN SEVICES IN CHICAGO.
>> Suarez: YOU MIGHHAVE THOUGHT TODAY WAS A HOLID IN CHICAGO. CITY HALL NER OPENED FOR BUINESS. LIBRARIES AND SENIOR CENTS REMAINED RK, AND NO GARBAGE WAS PICKED UP. ALL PART OF THE WIY CITY'S EFFORT TO FILL 2009 BUDGET SHORTFALL OF NRLY $300 MILLION. NEWSOUR CORRESPONDENT ELIZABETH BRACKETT OF WTTW HAS EN COVERING THE STORY TOY, AND JOINS US NOW FROM THEHICAGO TONIGHT STUDIOS. ELIZABETH, WAS IAPPARENT THAT SOMETHING WAS UP, THAT THOUNDS OF PPLE WEREN'T AT WORK?
>> IT WAS DIFFERENT KIND OF DAY IN CHICAGO PARTICULAR WITH CY HALL CLOSED -- PEOPLE NOTID THAT, FOR SURE, AND ALSO PEOPLE WHO WANTED GO TO THE LIARY. ONE YOUNG MAN AID, "I DON'T HAVE A COMPUTER AT HOME AND I NEED TO DO MY HOEWORK AT THE LIBRARY. THAT'S THE ONLY COMPUTER HAVE ACCESS TO." SO IT WA NOTICED, AND PEOPLE DID NOTICE THATHEIR GARBAGE DN'T GET PICKED UPODAY THER.
>> Reporr: THE GAPS SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION DOLLA. DO FURLOUGHS LIKE THE ONE PUT IN PLACE TODAYUT A BIG DOWN PAYME ON CLOSING THAT BUDGET GAP?
>> WELL,T'S A HELP. INITIALLY, THE BUDGET GAP OUT OF AN ALMOST $6 BILON BUDGET WAS BOUT $570 MIION, THEY N HAVE IT DOWN T 300 MILLN WHICIS STILL A L OF MILLION AS BUDGETS O IT HAS HELPED, IT WAS 15URLOUGH DAYS AS YOU SAD, SIX FURLOUGH DAYS AND SIX UNPAID HOLIDAYS-- HOLIDAYS WHE CITYMPLOYEES ULD HAVE GOTTEN PAID LIKE THE 4TH OF ULY, THEY WON'T GET PAID, AND THEN THESE THREESHUTDOWN DAYS WHE THE CITY SHUTS DOWN ALL EXCEPT FO ESSENTIAL SERVIC.
>> Repoer: ARE THERE OTHER BIG CUTS THREATEBED FOROWN THE AD?
>> THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN 400 CIT EMPLOYEES LAID-OFF. INITIALLY IT WASTHOUGHT TO BE 1,500 EMPLOYEES, AND THE MAYOR AND HI STAFFNEGOTIATED WITH THE UNIONS AND MOST OF E UNIO AGREED TO TAKE THESE FURLOUGH DAYS, LIKE THE ONE YOU AREEEING TODAY BUT AFSCME, THE MICIPALMPLOYEES UNION ANTHE TEAMSTERS UNION SAID NO, WE'RE NOT GING TOAKE THESE DAYS AND THEREFORE 400 OF THR UNION MEMBERS WERE LAID-OFF.
>> HOW IS THE PUBLIC TAKING THIS? DO THE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON? IS IT PA OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT?
>> IT IS PART OF WHAT PEOPLE E TALKING ABOUT. PEOE ARE CONCERNED ABO WHAT'S HAPPENING. I DON'T THINK THE CY IS FEELING T IMPACT OF THE SHUTDOWN TODAY MASIVELY, PROBABLY FEELING IT MUCH MO ARE THE CITY EMPLOYEESHO EN'T GETTING PD.
>> Suarez: ARE THERE LITICAL RERCUSSIONS FORLONTIME MAR RICHARD DALEY?
>> MAYOR DALEY HAS WAYS BEEN A TOUGH-LE MAYOR. NOT MUCH HAS SEMED TO FAZE HIM. OPLE ARE UPT ABOUTHIS BUT SINCE H HASN'T RAIS TAXES, WHICH PEOP ARE EVEN PROBABLY ME CONCERNEDABOUT, HE'S ILL PRETTY MUCH GETTG A PASS ON THIS, AND THE OTHER THING IS ERE ARE NO CHALLENGERSN SIGHT ASHIS POPULARITY DOES TAKE SOME HITS BUT THERE IS NO ONE COMING UP SAYING, "I WANT TO BE THE NEXT MAYOR" THAT AT THIS POINT HAS A PARTILARLY CREDIBLE LLOWING.
>> Suarez: I AS IN PART BECAUSE THIS IS AITY AND THIS IS A MAYOR THAT ARE PATICULARLY PROUD OF HOW WELL T CITY WORKS EVEN WHEN THINGS AN'T GOING WELLTHAT IT'S A HIGH-SVICES CITY, AND THAT THERERE LIBRARIES IN EVY NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE CITY AND ON AND ON TH WOULD SEEM TO WELL,BE CHICAGO TAKING A KOCK DURING A TOUGH TIME ECONOMICALLY.
>> WE, IT IS TAKI A KNOCK, THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, CHICAGO IS AITY THAT WORKED IS ONE OF THEMAYOR FARITE EXPSSIONS BUT CHICAGO ISN'T IMMUNE TO THESEOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES AND I THINK PEOPLERE -- THE CITIZENRY GENERALLY IS UNDERSTANDING OF E KIND OF CUTS ANTHE KIND OF SERVICE CUTBACKS TH THE MAYOR HAS HAD O MAKE. OF COURSE, THE MAYOR'S BIGGEST FULL-EMPLOYMENT OORTUNITY IS E HOPE THAT CHICAGO GETS THE 2016 OLYMPICS AS HE IS PUSHING FOR VERY, VERY HARD AND WE'LL KNOW THAT IN OCTOBER. THA ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR, WILLBE THE KIND OF ECONOMIC BOON, THE KIN OFJOB-CREATING PROGRAMS THE CITY NEEDS.
>> Srez: ABSE THE 2016 OLYICS, WHICH WOULD STILL BE SOMWAY OFF,RE THEY ANTICIPATING ME BUDGET TROUBLE FOR NEXT YEAR?
>> ABSOLUTELY. IT LOOKSORSE NEXT YEAR, AT THIS POT -- SO IT LOOKS LIKE WE MAY BE GOING ROUGH MORE ROUNDS OF TSE FURLOUGH DAYS AND MORE LAYOFFS MEAN, IT'S NOT -- IT'S NOT PLEASANT TIMESN MUNICIPAL FANCE I THINK ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY AND IT'S CERTNLY TRUE HERE IN CHAGO.
>> SuarezOFTEN, WHEN A BIG CITY HAS A HOLIDAY, ONE OF THE FEW Y OF A HOLIDAY IS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE FEED THE PARKING METERS. WAS THAT THE CASE IN CHICAGO TOD?
>> OH, . YOU STILL HAVE TO FEED THE PARKG METERS IN CHICAGO -- THE CITY OF CHICAGO PRIVATIZED THE PARKING METERS MUCH TO THE ISMAY OF MANY OF THE CITIZENS CHICAGO. THE CITY GOT $1.3 BILON FOR PRIVATIZING THE PRKING METERS AND THE CIZENS OF CHICAGO GOT TO PAY A WHOLE L MORE FOR PARKINGAND IF THERE'S BEEN ONE POLITICALIABILITY FOR DALEY THIS YEAR IS BEEN HIS HANDLING OF THIS PARKING-MET PVATIZATION CONTRACT. PEOPLE ARE LIVID. FOR ONE THIN THEY RAISED THE PRICES TO PARK, EY EXTENDED E HOURS -- SOME PARKING TERS ARE NOW 24/7 AND BEFORE DOING THISHEY DIDN'TAKE ENOUGH CHANGES SOTHAT, FOR INSTANC YOU CLD PUT A CREDIT CARD IN A PKING METER BOX SO CITIZENS ARE HAVING TO CRY AROUND 27 QUARRS TO PARK DOWNTOWN FOR TWO HOURS, SO IT'S NOT BEEN HAPPY TIME AROUNDARKING ISSUES IN CHICAGO.
>> Suarez: ELIZABETH BCKETT IN CHICAGO. THANKS FOR JOINING US
>> THANK YOU.
>> Leer: PART TWO OF OUR REPORT FOCUSES ON CIFORNIA, THE STE THAT'S BEEN HIT HARDER HAN MOST. NEWSHOUR COESPONDENT SPENCER MICHELS REPORTS ON SOME THE FALLOUT FM ITS COMPMISED DGET.
>> CITIES AND COUNES THROUGHOUT CIFORNIA AND THE OPLE THEY SERVE ARE FEING THE IMPACT OFTHE STATE BUDGET ANDHE COMPROMISES MADE TO PASS IT. THE ITS FORERVICES ARE TTING LONGER AT THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MEDICAL CENTEAND EMEENCY ROOM ACROSS THE BAY OM SAN FRANCISCO. WELFARE RECIPIENTS ARE GETTING LESS MONEY, AND FEWER SERVICE SOME OF WHICH ARE DSIGNED TO GET THEM TO WORK. AND REDEVELOPMENT OJECTS AIMED AT REVALIZING DECREPIT NEIGHBOOODS, ARE BEING DELAY. THE PRINCIPALROBLEM FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THE DECISION BY LEGISLATO AND THE GERNOR TO TAKE ME THAN $4BILLION FROM CITIES AND COUNTIES TO BALACE TH STATE BUDGE ALONGITH MAJOR CUTS IN MANY PROGRAMS.
>> THIS BUDGET IS KIND OLIKE "THE GOOD, E BAD A THE GLEY."
>> GOVERR ARNOL SCHWARZENGER SIGNED THE CUTS AND THE TRANSFER OF LOCAL MONEY TO THSTE, OUTRAGING SOME COUNTY OICIALS.
>> IHAVE BEEN A PHYSICIAN PVIDING FAMILY PRACTICE CARE FOR 35 YEARS. THIS IS THE WOT I'VE EVER SEEN IT
>> DR. WILLIAM WALKER, A FAMILY PRACTIONER AND DIRECTOR OF CONTRA COST COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES THINKS THE COMMUTY IS IN DAER. I HAVE BEEN HEALTH RECTOR OR 14 YEARS, THIIS THE BIGGEST TSUNA WE'VE D TO DEAL WITH I TERMS OFAVE AFT WAVE OF LOL BUDGET CUS, STATE BUDGET CUTS AND IN MANY CASES STATE BUDGET CUT.
>> STATEWIDE, A HALF MILLION POOR CHILEN ARE PREDICTEDO LOSE HEALTH COVERAGE UER THE NEW BUET. OTHER CUTS WILL AFFECT IMMUNIZATIONS, MENTAL HEALT AND H.I. PROGRAMS PLUS MAJOR CUTBACKS IN MEDICAID. THESE ARE ALL PROGRAMS THAT THE STA MANDATESLOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO RUN. WALKER THINKS THE DCISION TO BORROW AND TAKE MEY FROM LOCAL BUDGETS WS JUST WRONG
>> WE ARE THESTATE ARM TO BE THEAFETY NET, AND IFTHEY'RE TAKING MONEYAWAY FROM THE SAFETY NET, THE STATENO LONGER HAS A SETY NET FOR BENEFITS.
>> LEGISLATORS SAID THEY HAD NO CHICE. STATE ASSEMBLY MMBER TOM OLLAKSON WROTE THE LAW ALLOWING THE STATE TO GET LOCA MONEY.
>> IN A EMEENCY, THE STATE CLDN'T BORROW MONEY FROM CITIES AND COUNTIES --HEY WERE DETACHED FROM CITIES AND COUNTIESO THAT $2 BILLI BORROWG THAT I WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE DONE BUT IN THIS EMERGENCY I HELPS US AVD FUHER DEVASTATING CUTS TO SCHOO.
>> BUT THE c*ntIES ARGUE THE CUTS TO THEM ARE DESTATING AS WELL. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ALREADY WAS FFERING BECAUSE OF A DEINE IN REVENUES FROMOTH PROPERTY D SALES TAXES. IT IS A COUNTY WTH SOME OF THE WEALTHIESTNCLAVES IN TH STATE, LIKE ORDA, WHOSE RESIDENTS MAY FEEL THE LOSS OF LIBRARY PARK MONEY, AN SOME THE OREST, LIKE RICHMOND, A LARGELY MINORITY COMMUNITY WITH A 17% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, WHERE THE MEDICAL AND CIAL-SERVICE CUTS WILLHIT HADEST. ALREADY, E WELFARE OFFCE WHERTHEY DISPENS FINANCIAL AID AND FOOD STAMPS HAS SEEN AN UPSURGE IN CIENTELE AND A REDUCTIONN PERSONNEL. JOHN JOYAS A COUNTY SUPERVISOR WHO THINK THE STATE TOOK THE EASY WAY OUT.
>> WHAT HAPPENS IS COUNTIES ARE THE AGENTF THE STATE FOR SOCIAL SERVICE AND HEALTH SERVICES SO IT'S EASIER FOR THEM TO CUT US, BECAUSE PEOPLE WON'T SHOW UP IN SACRENTO COMPLAINING, THEY'LL SH UP AT OUR BOARD CHAMBERS BAUSE WE'RE THE ONES DELIVERING THE PROGRAMS.
>> SUPERVISOR YA MET WITH COUNTY WELFARE WORKERS INCLUDING WENDY FARRIEN TO FIGURE OUTOW THE CUTS WOULD BE HANDLED.
>> WHAT WEE LOOKING AT HAVIN TO DO IS SIGFICANTLY REDUCING IF NOT ELINATING A LO OF THE EMPLOYMENTSERVICES SUPPORT SO WE'RE LOOKIN AT CHILD CARE TRANSPORTATION, AILLARY SERVES.
>> RECIPIENTS OF AID OF A PROGRAM ALLOWING TH TO GET TO WORK.
>> I GET 561 A MONTH, SO THAT'S LESS THAN MINIMUM WAG S MY RENT IS ALMOST HALF THAT, YOU KNOW, SO IF I KEEP GETTING CUT WERE GOING TO BE HOMELESS.
>> JUST FEEL TH IT'S UNFAR. HOW DO YOU EXPEC ANY KID TO BE NUTRITIOD, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, IF YOUE CUTTINGHE MONEY?
>> THEY CUT WHAT THEY C BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE THESE PEOPLE ARE HOPELESS. I AM HOLESS. WE ARE HOPELS. WE DON'T DESERVE A SEND CHANCE.
>> WHILEHE LEGISLATUREARGELY OTECTED LAW ENFORCEMENT, IS SHERIFF'S UNITHAT PATRS NORTH RICHMOND ISUPPORTED BY REDEVOPMENT MONEY WHICH THE ATE DIPPEDINTO. THIIS A DETERIORATING AREA WITH A HI IME RATE THAT IS IN THE MIDST OF REDEVELOPMENT.
>> WERE BADLY I NED OF ECONOMIC STIMULUS, AND REDEVELOENT IS THE MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVOPMENT TOOL HERE IN THE STATE.
>> AS THE COUNTY'S REDEVELOPMT DEVELOPER, JIM KENNEDY, EXPLAINED TO SUPERVIS JOYA, ANTHEN TO US, $2ILLION IN REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS WERE BOOWED BY THE STATE, PUTTING A BILL CRIMP IN CONTR COSTA'S PLNS.
>> THIS BLOCK OF PROPERTIESRE ING PUHASED BY THE REDEVELOPMENTGENCY ASE SPEAK TO DO A RESIDENTIAL MIXED-USE PROGRAM -- RETAIL ON THE GROUND FLOOR, RESIDENTIAL ABOVE. OUR ABILTY TO IPLEMENT THAT WILL BE DELAYED B THE DIVERSN OF REVENUES TO THESTATE, BY AT AST 3-5 EARS.
>> KENNEDY, W HEADS THE STTE'S REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION SAYS REDELOPMENT SPURS AFFORDABLE HOUSING GROWTH AND TAX REVENUE. HIS GRO S THREATENG TO SUE THE STATE. BUT STATE OICIALS SAY THE RROWED MONEY WILL BE RETNED EVENTUALLY AND LOCAL JURISDICONS CAN BORROW MONEY THEIR OWN.
>> WE'RE SAYING, WE'RE GOIN TO TAKE TS MONEY ON THE SHORT TE BUT WE'RE GOING TO MORE THAN COMPENSA OUT IN YOUR FUTURE YEARS.
>> IN MARTINEZ,HE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SEAT MANY LOCAL OFICIALS ARE SKEPTICAL THAT THEY'LL BE AE TO BOROW, OR THAT T STATE WILL REAY MAKE UP WHAT IT IS TAKING. FORJOYA, IT'S A NO-WIN SITUATIO
>> SACRAMENTO' TAKING MOEY FROM SOME COUNTIE ANDCITIES BUT AT THE SAME TE, THEIR FIX TEMPORARY. IT'S NOT SOLVING ANY PROBLEMS.
>> CTY AND COUNTY ROADS, AND THE PEOPLE WH WORK ON EM, WERE ALSO PUT I JEOPARDY BY THE ATE BUDGET. THE GOVERNOR PROSED THE STATE TAKEGASOLINE TAXES THATHE COUNTS USE TO REPAIRROADS. MANOF CONTRA COA'S WORKERS FEARED YOFFS BUT AT THE LAST-MINUTE THE LEGISLATUR REATENED WITH A LAWSUIT BY CITIES AND COTIES, BUCKLED UER. THE MONEY W LEFT IN COUNT HAND ANTHE WORD CAME DOW
>> EVERYBODY WAS EXCITE ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW. WEVEN HAVE WHAT WE CALL THEY BROUGHT DOUGHNUTS AND BROUGHT IN - BROUGHT IN A SPARK -- EVERYBODY S EXCITED ABOUT IT ANTHEY'VE GOT A RIGH TO BE BECAUSE WE'REEALING WITH OPLE'S LIVELIHOOD, AND THIS IS WHAT THEY LIV-- THEIR HOMES AND EVERYTHING, AND THEIR HOMES AND EVERYTHING,AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE INJEOPARDY, SO WHEN IHEARD ABOUTIT I BEGAN TO THINK.
>> BUTTHAT WAS THEEXCEPTN, COUNTY AND STATE OFFICIALS FEARING HARD TES AHEAD E PUSHING FOR A MORE LONG-LAING ANDTRUCTURAL FIX TO PROBLE THAT AFFECTING MORE AND MORE CALIFORNIANS
>> Lehrer: FINALLY TONIGH POET D TOY COLLECTOR ALBERT GOLDBARTH. HE'S THE OY POET TO WIN THE NAONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD TWICE. LAST AR, HE RECEIVED THE MARK TWAIN PRIZE FOR HUMORROM THE POETRY FNDATION. GOLDBARTH HAS BLISHED MORE THAN 25 BKS OF POETRY TO DATE. HIS LATEST, "TO BE REAIN 500 YRS," WAS PUBLISHED THIS SUMMER. WE VISED HIM AT HIS HOME IN CHITA, KANSAS.
>> WE'RE HERE IN ALBERT GOLDBARTH'S SPACE CLECTION ROOM D I LOVE THIS STUFF. I SPEND ST OF MY TIME WRITING POEMS, IT'S MY CHIEF-MOST PASSN BUT ASOU CAN TE BY LOOKINAROUND THE ROOM THIS STUFF IS TAKEUP WITH AGOOD DEAL OF TIME AND ENERGY, A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY TOO, AND IT REINVIGORAT MY INSIDES. MOST OF WHAT YOU ARE LOOKINGAT HERE IS AUTHENTIC VINTAGE 1950'S SPACE TOY STUFF A LITTLE OF IT GOES BACK TO THE 1940'S 1930'S, SOMETIMES LATE AT NIGHT, AND STAY UP UNTIL ABOUT 00 IN THE MORNING MOST DAYS,HE HOUSE IS QUIET, I'M BY MYSELF, I DO MY WRITING AND THINKING THEN, IL WALK INTO THIS ROOM AND I WILL JUST ND OF PIVOT AROUND 360 DEGREES AND THINK, "YES, YES, THE NEWSPER TELLS ME THE RLD IS A PRETTY CRAP PLACE, T IN HERE I'M ALS TOLD THAT THERE IS A RIGHTNSS TO THE UNIVERSE." I TEACH AT WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITIN WICHITA, KANSAS. I'M THE ADELLE V. DAVIS DISNGUISHED PROFESSOR OF HUMITIES THERE,HE ENGLIS DEPTMENT HAS A WELL INTENTIONED SLEEPYM.FA. PGRAM AND I TEACH POETRY WORK SHOPS AND LTERATUREOURSES IN . I FEEL AS IF I WAS BORN TO WRITE, THAT THAT'S WHY I WAS PUT ON EARTH, TRYING TO BE THE BEST POET I KNOW HOW TO BE. I TRY TO LEAVE AS MUCH TIME AND ENERGY AVAILABLE FOR WRING AS I CAN, AND I DON'T OWN A COMPUTER, NOT AT HOME, T AT MY OFFICE AT SCHOOL, MY NGERTIPS RE COMPR VIRGINAL, THEVE VER TOUCHED A COMPUTER KEYBOARAND ALL OF THE WRITING I DOIS LONGHAND, JUST REGULAR, EVERYDAY 59ENT BALLPOINT PEN ANA REGULAR 99 CENT SPIRAL-BOU NOTEBOOK, AND NALLY WHEN THE POEM IS RIGHT I TY UP A FINAL VERSION. E POEM IS CALLED"SHAWL." CONFESS, I LIKE IT. IT SEEMS TO ME TO SPEAK A LITTLE OF WHO I AM AND WHAT I'M ABT. THE FEW TIS MY WIFE HAS BEEN IN THE AUDIENCE WHEN I HAVE DONE THI AT A POETRY READING, I'VE REMINDED HER THAT THIS IS IN FACT WHAT I WOULDIKE ON MY GRASTONE ONE DAY AND SHE HAS A LOOK INER EYE THAT TOE SAYS WITH THEHAT'S SO SWEET,HONEY, BUT IT'S 14 LINES." IN ANYCASE, IOW TAKEOU TO A GREYHOUND BUS GOING CROSS-COUNTRY. "EIGHT HOURS BY BUS AND NIGHT WAS ON TH. pV HE COULD SEE HIMSELF, NOW IN THE WINDOW, SEE HIS HD THERE TH THE COUNTRY RUNNING THROH IT LIKE A LONG HADHOUGHT MADE OF STEEL AND WHEAT. DARKNESS OUTSIDE, DKNESS IN THE BUS AS IF THE SEA WERE DARK AND THE BELLY OF T WHALE WERE DARK TO MATCH IT. HE WAS 20, OF URSE, HISYES RERNED, REATEDLY, TO THE KNEE THE WOMAN TWOROWS UP, POSITIONED SOOCCASIONAL HEAIGHTS STRUCK IT INTO LE. BUT MOR RELIAE WAS THE BOOK. HE WAS DISCOVERI HIMSELF TO AMONG THE TRIBE THAT RES. NOW, HIS, THE OY OVERHEAD TURNED ON. NOW, NOTHING ELSE EXIED, ONLY HIM AND THE BOOK. AND THE LIGHT THWN OVER HIS SHOULDERS AS LUXURIOUS AS A CASHME SHAWL.
>> Lehrer: ON O "ART BEAT" PAGET NEWSHOUR.PBS.ORG, ALBERT LDBARTH SHOWS OFF HIS TOY SPACESHIP COLLECTIONND READS MORE OF S POEMS.
>> Lehr: AND AGAIN, THE MAJOR AND AGAIN, E MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS OF THIS DAY: MA LLIES WERE HELD ACROSS AFGHISTAN ON THE LAST DAY OF CAMPGNING BEFORE THURSDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. THE TOP U.S. COANDER IN IRAQ SAID HE WTS TDEPLOY AMERICAN TROOPSO DISPUTED AREAS IN THE NORTH, WHERE THE'S BEEN A SPIKE IN BOMBIS. AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ARGED A MIAMI MAN WITH CONSPIRING TO PULL OFFHE LARGT CASE OF IDENTITY THEFT EVER IN THE U.S. NEWSHOUR.PBS.ORG: AN ONLIN ONLY FEATURE TONIGH OUR FORUM WITJOURNALIST AND AUTHOR DAVID WESSEL. U CAN FIND HIS ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS OUT THE FEDERAL RESERVE A THE FINANCIAL CRISIS. WE'LL SEE YOU ONLINE A AGAIN HERE TOMORW EVENING. I'M JILEHRER. THANK Y, AND GO NTEOD.HT MAJOR FUNDING FOR THE NEWSHO WITH JIM LEHRER PROVIDED BY: THE NATIONAL SCNCE FOUNDATION. PPORTING EDUCATION AND RESEARCH ACROSS ALL FIEL OF SCIENCE AND GINEERING. ANWITH THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF THESE INSTITUTIONSND FOUNDATIONS. D... THIS PROGRAM WAS MADEOSSIBLE BY THE CORPORATION R PUBLIC BROADCASTI. AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIERS LIKE YOU. THANK YOU. Captioning sponsed by MacNEIL/LRER PRODUCTIONS Captioned by Media Access Group atGBH access.wgbhrg
