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The poll found that 67 percent of adults admitted they found the proposals confusing. Majorities of Republicans (69 percent) and Democrats (58 percent) say they're stumped about the mechanics of the proposed overhaul.
Sixty percent of those surveyed said that President Obama has not explained his plan clearly, a sentiment drawing majorities of Republicans and independents. A slight majority of Democrats say the president has made his case clearly.
The poll also found wariness among Americans over how well a government-operated health plan would do. Just under half said private insurers would do a better job, and 36 percent said the government would do better. ...CQ
____If you put a pet option in the healthcare reform scheme, Republicans would be in a bind. It's one thing to oppose big government taking over from those little mom-and-pop insurance companies, but do you favor throwing Mr. Mittens out the car window when he gets old and feeble and needs an IV because he can't chew his kibble? You'd have weepy pet parents at town hall meetings waving photographs of kittycats in need of new kidneys, and finally you'd start to see some empathy. People love their animals, and if we could just agree that everybody in America should receive the same level of care enjoyed by an elderly golden retriever, we could be done with this and get ready for the World Series. ...Salon
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As of March, there were over 68,000 contractors in Afghanistan and over 52,000 military personnel...
At 57% of total Defense Department workforce, the number of contractors represents "the highest recorded percentage of contractors used by DOD in any conflict in the history of the United States," the study concludes. ... TPM
