The Larry Kane Report

You’ve got to give Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter a lot of credit. Searching desperately for a way to fix the budget crisis, the Mayor found a way to close the gap and put Philadelphia on the map as a city that values health and wellness. He may be a real pioneer in that arena, but whoever said that good health was good politics.? After all, the analysis paralysis lawmakers on both divides in our Capitol have tried to chew up any attempt at a real health plan for months.

Nutter’s bid for a large tax increase on sugary soda came along with a proposed trash fee. Ultimately, less sodas would be purchased and there would be less trash. Maybe. But the Mayor’s ambitious plan has collided with a deep concern by distributors and workers that the big increase on sodas with sugar could cost plenty of jobs, and with that, more flight to the suburbs, not just to buy soda, but to find work. Our sources say that City Council, bowing to neighborhood and industry pressure, may never approve the legislation.

What’s the alternative? Perhaps a gargantuan increase in cigarette taxes. That’s a healthy move.

But the soda tax might be in trouble, and that means the tax and revenue efforts have to get to work quickly to fend off yet another crisis.

Israel-U.S.- Mishandling a Crisis

Have you ever seen a worse case of unprofessionalism than the dustup between Israel and the U.S. First of all, despite Israel’s bad timing on announcing new settlements during Vice President Biden’s visit, the U.S. reaction was bizarre. to say the least. Friends try to keep their crises private. It was strange when the State Department reported that Secretary Clinton chewed out Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. What was that all about? Then, Obama adviser David Axelrod, blasted Israel on the Sunday talk shows. Israel suddenly went into silent mode.

Look, here’s the truth. When a right-wing government in Israel is dealing with a mostly liberal government here, sparks will fly. But you need leadership to defuse a crisis, not steps for deeper levels of antagonizing on both sides.

Only one good thing may have come out of this mess. The Iranians , looking at Israel’s brash independence, may feel that the U.S. has lost control over Israel and that Israel mighty very well think of attacking Iran’s nuclear sites without American approval.  Witnessing that fear on the part of the Iranian dictators would be worth the price of admission.

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FIRST – A NOTE FROM MICHAEL SMERCONISH

I received this email from Michael:

Have you heard about New York Assemblyman Felix Ortiz and his effort to ban restaurants from using salt?  Here’s how the New York Daily News’ Samuel Goldsmith covered Ortiz’s legislation today:

Brooklyn Dem Felix Ortiz wants to ban use of salt in New York restaurants

If State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz has his way, the only salt added to your meal will come from the chef’s tears.

The Brooklyn Democrat has introduced a bill that would ban the use of salt in New York restaurants – and violators would be smacked with a $1,000 fine for every salty dish.

“No owner or operator of a restaurant in this state shall use salt in any form in the preparation of any food,” the bill reads.

Thanks Mike. The note is revealing. To hear the interview, go to the Smerconish logo on the right side of the page.

FLASH MOBS

The city’s aggressive action on flash mobs is one of the most important stories of the year. If these mobs continue to run wild, Center City could face a serious threat to its economic existence. This kind of scary behavior has got to be crushed with immediate force, and extreme penalties, upon conviction. Will flash mob crime continue? Let’s hope not. This is an issue that must be addressed by ALL members of City Council. There is no room for this kind of fright in this or any city. No debate on this one.

WEB CHAT

Thanks to all of you who joined me on the Daily News web chat on the Ticket To Ride Show at the Franklin Institute. There are 9 more shows. I look forward to seeing the winners of the web chat giveaway. It’s been a real eye-opener to do these shows, but most of all, a lot of fun to meet so many people. If you would like to see the transcript of the web  chat, click on the Philly.com logo.

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Will a hospital crisis be the next economic bombshell to hit America? It could be. Several large city and suburban hospitals, mostly non-profits, are facing a difficult year, with the negative elements of an uncertain economy starting to trickle down. Is it an emergency yet? Not quite, but if the employment picture doesn’t improve soon, it could worsen quickly.

The problem is two-fold. Layoffs and expiring Cobra coverage are forcing many of our fellow citizens to put off necessary medical testing. Expensive co-pays are forcing some Philadelphia region families to put off important visits and treatments. The result – layoffs along with a cutback in the purchase of new and valuable equipment.

So the question remains. If there is a health care overhaul, will hospitals be ready for the new patient load? Or better yet, will they be around when the demand suddenly outpaces the supply?

SODA TAX – A CAN OF WORMS? WHAT ABOUT BEER?

The proposed tax on soda in Philadelphia offers a chance to open up a new debate, and it’s all about the limits of government. You can assume that if it were legal to tax lethal cigarettes, it would be legal to tax anything that might be harmful to your health. On paper, it is not a bad idea. But on a closer look, it might make one of life’s guilty pleasures become less available to thousands upon thousands of people. And then, if sugar were bad for your health, why wouldn’t excessive drinking of beer be even more taxable? And then, if government taxes drinks with sugar, would it try to impose extra taxes on Tastycakes or candy? We all know that extra taxes on Tastycakes and beer, in Philadelphia, would be political suicide. But this issue of sugar in soda might also be dangerous. For example, owners of sports teams might pass the extra taxes on to the already super-taxed fans. And what if sugar-craved soda drinkers switched to candy bars to get their fix?

Would City Hall try to impose heavier taxes on caramel crunch and nutty chocolate candy bars? Where will it stop? Are Tootsie Rolls next?

These are interesting questions as the Nutter team moved forward with the proposed tax increases.

BEATLE MANIA-

My thanks to the hundreds who showed up for the first three shows of my Ticket To Ride multi-media at the Franklin Institute. Nine more shows are slated starting this coming weekend. See the banner ad above.

Just a “program note.” At 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, the Philadelphia Daily News will be featuring a “live web chat” with me and it is all about the Beatles. Go to philly.com, on Wednesday for all the details.

Questions about the proposed increased taxes for soda are allowed.

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Watch out. Pennsylvania’s infamous reputation for political corruption is taking a hit.

Since colonial days, elected officials in Pa. have taken the lead in jail time and horrid publicity for trying to get  rich off the public dole. Just take a look at the current bonusgate investigations. But wait a minute! New York is on the brink of taking  the crown away from Pa.

Congressman Charles Rangel was forced to take a leave of absence from his chairmanship of the tax committee because of numerous investigations of his own finances and dealings. Now, NY Governor David Paterson is on the brink for alleged problems, including a possible charge of obstruction of justice.

The scary thing is that the New York problems are larger and more serious than  some of the crimes facing Pa. lawmakers.  Frankly, it is refreshing to see Illinois (Guv Blago) and New York get all the attention . Someday it would be nice to consider Pennsylvania the bush league of political corruption. Don’t hold your breath.

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Yes, there is money in one of the health care bills to help train new doctors, but hardly enough. So the problem remains and also dismissed by architects of health care legislation.

The nation is facing a severe shortage of primary care doctors. Right now, scared away by malpractice insurance, there are simply not enough doctors around in Pennsylvania to to treat the current load of patients. What the heck is going to happen when 39 million new Americans are added to the health care rolls? I’ll tell you what’s going to happen – chaos.

This extraordinary lack of judgment on the part of lawmakers means that we are heading on a collision course for a medical crisis bigger than the one we are facing. Until Congress understands the nature of our doctor shortage and figures out a way to fix it, any health care reform will be dangerous at best. Is there anyone out there with an answer?

TIGER TALK-

The Golf Digest magazine reports that after word of his sexual affairs surfaced, Tiger Woods received words of encouragement from President Obama and former President Clinton. In a journalistic understatement, the magazine said that Mr. Clinton’s ” experience might be particularly instructive.”

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