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President's New Economic Team; Cutting the Military's Budget; Arizona's Transplant List
Aired January 07, 2011 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: All right.
Well, it's 10:00 on the East Coast, now 7:00 a.m. out West. I'm Kyra Phillips. Here are some of the stories that have us taking this morning. Next hour, President Obama introducing key new members of his economic team. They're going to fill four high profile vacancies and be in charge of bolstering the sluggish recovery. CNN will carry that announcement, live, 11:35 a.m. Eastern time.
British police beefing up security in train and subway stations in London as well as Heathrow Airport. New information warns that Mumbai-style attacks may be planned in or near London.
A former mega church pastor apparently believes that the road to redemption is made for TV. Ted Haggard will appear in a cable TV special that looks at his downfall and new beginnings. Haggard was booted from his Colorado pulpit after admitting to illegal drug use and a relationship with a male prostitute.
There are few who feel the brunt of tough economic times more than our military families and now, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announces that the size of that extended family is about to shrink. $78 billion in cuts to the U.S. military and the Defense Department and that includes reducing the size of the Army and Marine Corps. Secretary Gates says it's time to get away from a culture of endless money.
The new House Armed Services committee chairman seems to see this more of culture shock. Congressman Howard McKeon - he had shot back at the administration saying "I'm not happy, I remain committed to applying more fiscal responsibility and accountability to the Department of Defense, but I will not stand by and watch the White House gut defense when Americans are deployed in harm's way."
Barbara Starr joining us live from Washington. So first off, Barbara, what prompted the cuts?
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Kyra, basically, tough economic times. A recessionary economy, if not a full blown recession. The Pentagon is not immune to any of that. So the White House told the Pentagon, come up with $78 million in budget cuts. Secretary Gates had the services and the department identify about $154 billion in cost savings.
What do all these numbers really mean? What does it really all add up to? Gates is talking about making a fundamental shift in the way the military does business. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT GATES, DEFENSE SECRETARY: I hope an expectation is that as a result of these changes over time, what had been a culture of endless money where cost was rarely a consideration will become a culture of savings and restraint.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STARR: There will be some cuts in the size of the Army and Marine Corps. A lot of these are going to have to be approved on Capitol Hill where he faces that typical configuration that we're seeing emerge, the deficit hawks who may want even deeper cuts and the pro-military part of the Congress who's very leery of these cuts and wants to keep defense spending up. The bottom line is that looks like these will be the biggest cuts in military spending since 9/11. Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. So, let's talk more about what could be on the chopping block here.
STARR: Exactly. Well, the Marine Corps is likely immediately to take the biggest hit. Gates is planning to cancel and the Marines approved of that cancellation, a new amphibious assault vehicle that they can't afford it and it doesn't exactly work the way they hoped, not exactly what they need. So they'll save about $12 billion there.
There's another fighter jet in the works. It's a troubled program. Gates gave them two years to get that in shape or that may go on the chopping block as well. But guess what the real rub here may be health care. Military health care for retirees. They haven't had a premium increase in over a decade. For the retirees, they pay a premium of about $460 a year for a family of four. We all pay a lot more than that. That health care budget for the Pentagon topping $50 billion a year.
Gates says they have to get that under control. That's a top priority. So they want to raise the cost for military retirees. That is going to run into a buzz saw on Capitol Hill. It's generally agreed, the veterans community, of course, very strong in Congress. Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Yes, indeed. All right. Barbara, thanks.
STARR: Sure.
PHILLIPS: Well, this morning, we've got a new measure of the economy. We have learned that the nation's jobless rate took a big tumble last month to 9.4 percent. That's compared to 9.8 percent in November. Just over 100,000 new jobs were added to the economy. Now that sounds like good news, right? Well, not exactly.
Chief business correspondent Ali Velshi here to break it all down. I think a lot of people are thinking any jobs are good news.
ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's not bad news. I'm one of these guys who think at least we're in the right direction, we're not going down.
PHILLIPS: Right.
VELSHI: We wanted 165,000, 175,000, some people hoped for 200,000 new jobs, we need more than 250 just to try to get back to just where we were before this recession. So it's to slow. The unemployment rate, that's quite a drop, 9.8 to 9.4 percent. But we're measuring a shrinking body of workers. So it's almost irrelevant. I tend to put that aside even though that's the one people track a lot. I track how many jobs are created. Yes, it's great. It's above 100,000. I would have loved if it were above 200,000. I would have been OK if it were 150.
This is a little slow. It is in the right direction.
PHILLIPS: It's interesting looking at where the jobs are. You broke it down. Leisure and hospitality.
VELSHI: Yes.
PHILLIPS: Which is great because that means people are spending. They're traveling, vacationing.
VELSHI: That's right. It could be Americans spending because we're saving a little bit more. It could be people from outside the United States spending because the U.S. dollar is weak. The good thing about that is those are industries that hire people when demand goes up. So hopefully, we see this run-on effect where businesses are making a little bit more money, demand is going up and people are getting more jobs. We also saw health care as an increase. That's typical.
PHILLIPS: And jobs.
VELSHI: Increase in jobs.
PHILLIPS: Right.
VELSHI: We saw manufacturing increase. That's very, we've been seeing that in the last few months, but we lost manufacturing jobs for so long. It's nice to see a little bit there and retail up a little bit. A lot of that has to do with the holidays. But you know, good, not great.
PHILLIPS: OK. We want better. Always. Thanks, Ali.
VELSHI: OK.
PHILLIPS: All right.
Well, just last hour on Capitol Hill, one lawmaker took to the floor of the House to make a statement that unemployment is not just about numbers. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., son of civil rights leader, Jesse Jackson, wants to remind lawmakers of the hopelessness and desperation that a lot of Americans are feeling right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JESSE JACKSON, JR. (D), ILLINOIS: In order to show the huge need for jobs, I'll be collecting resumes from Americans who are unemployed or underemployed. I'll submit them for the congressional record. Unfortunately, submitting these resumes for the record will not get anybody a job. But by collecting these resumes, I hope to dramatize the shameful condition of unemployment and compel Congress to do something about it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Jackson can see that this move is more about symbolism than substance, but he says that it's essential that Congress and the administration recognize how many Americans need their help.
Later this morning, President Obama will introduce a revamped economic team that he hopes can turn around the economy. They'll fill four high profile vacancies. The president's announcement is scheduled next hour, 11:35 Eastern time. You can see it live right here on CNN.
And for weeks, the bluster has been building and battle lines deepening, but today on Capitol Hill, the first real shot is fired in the battle to repeal health care reform. The Republican leadership of the House is holding a test vote on a hot point issue that helped sweep them into power. The House is expected to hold a final vote on the repeal next week.
And their lives changed in an instant. Suddenly, Jim and Caroline McCullar from Washington state are mega millionaires. Jim says he knows exactly what to do with that money.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM MCCULLAR, MEGA MILLIONS WINNER: We've been married 41 years. I know what to do with this check.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Jim says they learned they had the lucky ticket first on television, then they confirmed it online.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM MCCULLAR: Sit down, we had two chairs sitting there. Put the two chairs side to side. Clicked on the Washington lottery icon and up came the winning number. And I said, look at this and look at that. She looked and she studied and she looked and she studied and she looked at me and screamed! Tears started flowing down, and I looked at her and I started crying. All she could say was, "is this real? Is this real?" And "I paced myself already. We're awake and this is real. And what are we going to do? What are we going to do? I says, I have no idea, but we better hide."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Get a financial planner. The McCullar's will split the $380 million prize with a winner in Idaho.
Rob Marciano, smart man. He knew exactly what to do. He gave the money to the wife. Happy wife, happy home. Or no, happy wife, happy life. That (INAUDIBLE) right.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I love them.
PHILLIPS: Yes, isn't that great?
MARCIANO: That would be great to have them as my parents, for the millions, I mean, not because I don't love my parents.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: And for the attitude too. They're down home.
MARCIANO: That and tone have quite the winning attitude as well. Got to get them on the show some time.
Hey, big storm. Big. Huge. But it's not very concentrated, so it's not a blizzard that we saw last week. That's for sure. I mean it stretches back from the western Great Lakes down through the south and up towards the northeast and that's where most of the action is right now. We're seeing some heavier bands of snow get up towards Philadelphia or just now through Philadelphia heading up the turnpike in through New York City, really heavy band now heading to New York City.
So this is the pulse that will probably drop a few inches of snow on the Big Apple and then begin to roll off and pivot up towards New England. Where we think we see the most amount of snow, will probably be a little bit further up state, up towards the Adirondacks. Five to 10 inches, added lift there. That's where the winter storm warnings are posted. Winter weather advisories in this kind of purple area.
That's where we'll probably see anywhere from two inches to maybe as much as five inches of snow as this system makes its way towards the northeast. But again, the backside of this is driving some snow all the way down through the Tennessee Valley, so we could see a couple of inches here. But more importantly, what this will do over the next couple of days is really drive down some cold air.
Tomorrow, the cold front gets down all the way into the Gulf Coast and that will drop sub freezing temperatures in through Dixie, and then we'll look for a bit of a disturbance. We're going to talk about that in just a second as far as what that will mean for us going forward.
But for the immediate concern for travelers, we've got some issues today at the - especially the northeast airports. Hour and 30- minute delay right now in LaGuardia. An hour delay in Philadelphia. Still ground stop at Teterboro and San Francisco also getting into the act.
All right. Let's talk about Sunday night into Monday, there's cold air in place across Dixie. If we get any moisture coming out of the Gulf of Mexico, that spells trouble. That's the recipe for an ice and snowstorm. And right now, most of our computer models are forecasting just that. and for the lower states south, that means the cold air stays north. That means you've got a snow and icy mix in through this area and potentially, a couple of inches of snow from Birmingham, maybe as far south as Montgomery, up through Atlanta and then maybe another quarter of an inch of ice on top of that.
So Sunday night into Monday may very well prove to be a little bit more of a serious weather situation as compared to what the snowstorm is doing to the northeast right now. Kyra, back over to you.
PHILLIPS: OK. Thanks, Rob.
MARCIANO: You bet.
PHILLIPS: Well, Aretha Franklin is reportedly talking about her health scare now. Next, you're going to see what she is saying and what she's not in your "Showbiz Update."
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, the queen of soul reportedly says her health issue is "resolved." But according to "People" magazine, Aretha Franklin still refuses to disclose details about her surgery last month. Let's talk about that more and of course, other entertainment news with our A.J. Hammer, live in New York.
A.J., what are you hearing about Miss Franklin? She's had some tough medical issues in the past few years.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": Yes, she has and particularly in the past few months, but Kyra, at a minimum, it does sound like good news. As you said, Aretha's really trying to reassure her fans after this health square forced her to cancel a string of concerts. She's telling "Jet" magazine, "the problem has been resolved." But she's still not explaining just what is or what was wrong with her. Now "Jet" says when they asked her directly about the rumors she's fighting pancreatic cancer, she refused to address that story directly and she said "I don't have to talk about my health with anybody other than my doctors." As I've said all along, Kyra, you have got to respect that. Nonetheless, obviously, Aretha Franklin has a whole lot of fans that remain very concerned about her.
PHILLIPS: A lot of people. Well, somebody that is definitely talking, Oprah Winfrey, and talking about her newly-launched cable network. Boy, she's saying, "I don't care about ratings, I don't care about what people say, this is what I'm in support of. This is what's going to stay and I'm loving it."
HAMMER: Yes. It's a great new chapter for her, I think. She was talking to the press in the Television's Critics Association in Los Angeles. Obviously, Oprah's very excited about her new network and "Showbiz Tonight" did catch up with her as she was on her way into a reception for the network. It's called OWN. I want you to watch what she told us about how well the start-up seems to be going.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Success, I know, is coming early to the network. I'm hearing you guys are making a profit before you thought you would.
OPRAH WINFREY, TV HOST: I heard that, too, but let's no do the hula over that. Let's just calm down and this is day six. Let's get to day 14, and then let's get to day 30.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, so she's being cautiously optimistic, I guess. Now, the network launched on January 1st, Oprah told us she wasn't able to watch the network for most of its first day because the hotel she was in on New Year's Day didn't have her network so she was following what was going on by looking at the online message boards.
And she also, Kyra, gave us a little behind the scenes info on what she called one of the toughest interviews she has had in 20 years. That interview conducted by our new colleague Piers Morgan. And Oprah says she's a big fan of his. She told us she was scheduled to sit down with Piers for about 45 minutes but the interview had gone so well it lasted for two and a half hours. She is the first guest for Pierce on his new show. It sounds like something that we're all going to watch. Of course, "Piers Morgan Tonight" debuts on January 17th, 9:00 p.m. here on CNN and when "Showbiz Tonight" was speaking with her, Kyra, we asked her if we will be surprised by what happened in this interview and her response was, "I was surprised."
PHILLIPS: Oh, my gosh. We thought the Barbara Walters interview was pretty intense and brought her to tears. It's going to be interesting to see what Piers Morgan is able to bring home for us.
HAMMER: Yes, there's a deep tease there, but a good vote of confidence from Oprah Winfrey. She's a huge fan and Gayle King who put the whole thing together also a huge fan of Piers. So I'm looking forward to this.
PHILLIPS: All right. A.J., thanks.
If you want everything and anything breaking in the entertainment world, A.J.'s got it. Every night, "Showbiz Tonight" 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on HLN.
Remember all that talk about death panels during the health care debate? Well, one lawmaker says they're a reality in his state. He's talking about budget cuts that have denied nearly 100 people potentially life saving transplants. Two people have already been denied and died.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PHILLIPS: Well, some residents in Venice, Florida, are seeing orange. That massive orange is a crocodile and the rare creature tops our trek cross country this hour. Sylvia Mythen captured pictures of the croc near her neighborhood pond. One biologist says it possibly is an albino, but one official at the State Fish and Wildfire Department believes that the orange coloring is from paint or stain.
In Atlanta, says he's the luckiest cell phone owner alive. That phone blocked a bullet to his chest when gunfire erupted outside the club where he works.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN GARBER, CELL PHONE PROTECTED HIM FROM THE BULLET: The shots occurred. And I had one go through the backside of my coat, come up through my coat and hit my phone which was placed on my left chest right here.
Well, police say that John Garber (ph) was not the target of the shooting, but two people go people have been arrested.
Finally in Fairfield, Connecticut, an elderly man puts his electric wheelchair in overdrive and takes it on the highway. Drivers spotted the man rolling down the southbound breakdown lane of I-95. D.O.T. cameras actually captured him when he exited the freeway. He didn't get a ticket, but police say his ride was illegal.
Well, nearly 100 people in Arizona need potentially life-saving transplants, but they can't get them. Not in their state any way. Why? Tough times. Politics. And some people say misplaced priorities. Arizona cut its share of Medicaid funding $1.2 million is what we're talking about. That was for certain transplants and it lost matching federal money in the process.
Now, it leaves two people denied transplants because of the changes have died. 100 others like the young woman who needs a lung transplant, well, she fears the same thing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They can do it if they want to. They're just really not, they're not getting on the ball on it. They're waiting for the federal to get involved in this and it's going to take too much time. People have already died.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is the state doing anything now to restore the funding?
FRANK ANTENORI, ARIZONA STATE SENATE: No, again, the funding reduction occurred because data showed that the outcome from providing funding for these patients was negligible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: All right. I want to apologize. The sound that you just heard from the gentleman you saw with the oxygen, that is actually somebody that was denied a transplant and died.
This morning on AMERICAN MORNING, we talked to another patient who is waiting for a transplant and is worried that that's what's going to happen to her if indeed this money is not restored for her to get her transplant.
So while people wait, the politicians, of course, they're pointing fingers and one state lawmaker, the Democratic minority leader, says she's trying to restore that funding and is urging the governor to use federal stimulus money to help. The spokesman for Republican governor Jan Brewer says that democrats were asked more than a year ago for a plan that could work, but so far, all they've been offered is empty words.
All right. We are talking with the Democratic minority leader in Arizona now who says what's happening in his state amounts to a death panel. Remember that term? Well, David Schapira joins us now, live from Phoenix and our senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is here, too. She'll give us sort of a brighter picture on Transplants in other states.
But David, let's first go to you. And your response to the governor's words about empty rhetoric because I was reading what Governor Brewer was saying "look, you need to be someone that's involved in trying to find a workable plan to resolve Arizona's budget crisis first.
DAVID SCHAPIRA, ARIZONA STATE SENATE: Well, good morning, Kyra. And let me just say, the governor's spokesperson has come out and said that I've been asked for a year to provide a plan and I haven't done that, and so I can't be out there publicly calling for her to restore this funding. But the fact of the matter is I haven't been sworn in as minority leader yet. That won't be until this coming Monday.
So I've never been asked for a plan. The previous leadership may have been asked. I've never had a conversation with the governor or the governor's spokesperson about that. But here's the thing, we've got to put all these politics aside. And just forget it. Who cares who did what, when.
People are dying. There are 96 people, as far as we know, who are still alive and that's the issue at hand. We've got to restore this funding, $1.2 million. It's a miniscule part of the state's budget. I've offered the governor 10 if not 20 options of things that we could cut. Folks who were medical professionals in Arizona have offered up things that we could cut within our state. Medicaid program have just moved that money to the transplant funding. People's lives are literally at stake at this point and we've really got to just put all these politics aside.
PHILLIPS: That's got to be heart wrenching to see that two people have already died because they've been delisted and now, you're saying 96 people are hoping that they won't be next?
SCHAPIRA: Yes, absolutely. There are 96 people still on that transplant list who have been told that they would receive transplants paid for by our state's Medicaid program, and many of which were added to the transplant list, had surgeries scheduled and then were sent denial letters after October 1st. Those 96 people right now are waiting for the state legislature to come back into session.
Because clearly the governor is not going to act on this prior to Monday. Although we've been calling on her to do so for the last three months now. So now, on Monday I've introduced the very first bill legislative session, Senate Bill 1001, which will restore the transplant funding. And what I'm calling on the Republican legislature now to do is to suspend the rules on Monday and have this bill go through the process on that day, send it to the governor's desk Monday and hopefully get this signed into law immediately so we don't lose any other lives because of the political stall tactics coming from the governor's office.
PHILLIPS: Now, this is the emergency restoration that you are calling for, is that right?
SCHAPIRA: That's right. We'd like to restore this funding immediately because if there's ever been a more urgent issue, I haven't heard of it. I can't think of anything more important for us to do on our first day. After all the pomp and circumstance and all of us are sworn in, let's do some business, let's do some work, let's do what we were elected to do by the people of our state and let's restore this funding.
You know, it's very sad, Kyra, in Arizona, there is a lot of rhetoric that we heard around the country about Obama care and about death panels and in Arizona, we have what we're calling Brewer care. We have a governor who basically has refused to pay for transplants that we have committed to people of our state that they would have and now we essentially have a death panel with the legislature. If we are unwilling to pass this on Monday, if we're unwilling to pass this Monday, if we're unwilling to get it through, we are going to have a real death panels right here in Arizona.
PHILLIPS: All right. Minority leader-elect down in Arizona, David Schapiro. Appreciate your time today and we will be following what happens on Monday, that's for sure. Thanks so much.
And I also want to talk with our senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen who has been following this for us as well. So other states, are they withdrawing transplant coverage like this as well?
You know, what they're not. We checked around with experts and they say that Governor Brewer is kind of on her own in this area. They are not taking away money for transplants. Now they are trying to take away money for other kinds of Medicaid services like hearing or vision or in some cases, home health care, but not transplants.
And I think it's important to remember transplants are, if you're waiting for a transplant, that's pretty much it. That's all that's going to help you. I mean, it's either that or you're going to die in most cases. I mean, transplant is the last thing that you try. PHILLIPS: Here's what's interesting. Other states have massive Medicaid deficits as well and they didn't, you know, arrive at the solution that Arizona says it has.
COHEN: Right. They figured cuts that are certainly painful, but not cuts that will kill people. It's things like hearing, vision, home health care. Again, tough, tough decisions to make, but not things that are going to kill people in the immediate sense like taking a transplant away, and already two people have died.
PHILLIPS: Which is heart wrenching to us. We're having a hard time understanding how Arizona's governor Jan Brewer actually arrived at this decision to make these kinds of cuts. Do we know?
COHEN: She says that her analysis shows that transplants don't work. That certain transplants just don't work. They don't prolong life. Well, legions of doctors would disagree with her and they have sent her studies that say "What do you mean. We've done actually studies and they do prolong life. People who are on the verge of death lived for many years because of transplants. So they can't figure out how she is coming at her conclusions and they, as medical doctors, are coming up with totally different conclusions.
PHILLIPS: And how do you tell these 96 people that are still alive -
(CROSSTALK)
COHEN: Sorry?
PHILLIPS: Sorry, it's not going to happen.
COHEN: Can't even imagine what that feels like.
PHILLIPS: Well, we're definitely going to follow up the story. It's pretty gut wrenching.
Elizabeth, thanks.
COHEN: Thanks.
PHILLIPS: Well, trying to land a job? You've got to look the part, right? We're going to tell you why glasses might actually improve your chances.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: 10:30 on the East, 7:30 out West. Here's some stories we're talking about this morning.
President Obama changing the lineup on his economic team. Next hour, he plans to announce that Gene Sperling will take over as head of the National Economic Council. Spurling held the key policy post at the end of Bill Clinton's term.
And Senator Charles Grassley has completed a three-year investigation on televangelists, including Bishop Eddie Long. "The Atlanta Journal Constitution" quotes that -- Grassley aide that is saying that the ministry's review didn't look for wrongdoing but tried to open discussion on tax-exempt issues.
And two sisters serving for an armed robbery have been freed early from prison. Mississippi governor Haley Barbour suspended the sentences of Gladys and Jaime Scott on one condition: Gladys agreed to donate a kidney to her seriously ill sister.
Stock market bell rang just about an hour ago. Checking the numbers real quickly. Dow Industrials up almost 16 points.
Well, good news for workers across the country. You're going to be getting a raise this year. CNN's Stephanie Elam has more on that from New York.
Hey, Steph.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra. You know, it makes me so happy. You know what we've been through the last couple of years and the economy. It's been awful. So, to finally have some good news for people. It always feels a little bit better here.
So, what we can say for 2011, you are looking at a median base salary increase of about 2.8 percent. That's up from 2.4 for 2010. This is according to the Hay Group. They have a survey here. They say the planned increases will be about that for managing professionals and support positions. And for executive and skilled trade jobs will be about 2.7 percent.
But this graphic that you're looking at here -- take a look at where we were from 2005 through 2007. As you can see, we are not going to -- we are not at those levels right now. We're definitely not there yet. But we're moving in the right direction.
And think about it. We saw the lowest salary increases in decades because things have just been so dire. So, this is good news. Also, the number of places boosting staff has actually doubled those cutting it. Another sign that things are getting better, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. So, will the rise in salary put us back in line with where we were before the recession?
ELAM: Yes. That's the thing everyone keeps talking about here with this story. And in particular, if you look at it, it says it's going to take some time, and years to get back. We won't go back as quickly as it took us to fall from those levels. But they're saying this is a move in the right direction.
The other thing too is that the differentiation between top performers and average performers is smaller because most companies, even though they want to reward their top workers, the pot of money is just smaller at this point.
PHILLIPS: Let's change the direction of this. Dressing to impressing getting a whole new meaning. People actually wearing phony glasses. They think it makes them look smarter and better chance of getting a job.
ELAM: I think I'd be embarrassed if somebody caught me with some fake glasses. But apparently, that's what they're doing in Britain. Some people are, anyway.
Listen to this. Forty-three percent of people there think glasses make people look smarter. Thirty-six percent of people say they look more professional. And forty percent would consider wearing fake glasses to get ahead at work if they thought that was going to help them out.
But 60 percent they already do or would consider glasses to look smarter. Ten percent saying the same thingfor being professional. But these are the people that may be the most interesting, Kyra. Six percent wear glasses they don't need for fashion reasons. And 9 percent say they do it just because they look more attractive. So, they don the glasses, don't need them at all. Phony lenses in there because they think it gets a message across. People take them more seriously. You know anyone like that?
PHILLIPS: Actually, I do know a few people that do that.
ELAM: I thought you did. I think we both do. Use them as a prop to make their point.
PHILLIPS: Yes, exactly! It looks so official. Yes. Makes my -- I have, like, Coke-bottle lenses. I hate wearing my glasses. But anyway.
ELAM: I don't wear anything at all. Just thinking about it makes me want to do that.
PHILLIPS: Well, we've got to see those Stephanie beautiful eyes!
ELAM: Yes, well, whatever. It's coming! It's just not here yet.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, Steph.
ELAM: Have a great weekend.
All right. Even as the jobless rate goes down - you, too -- the employment market is still shaky, and we remain committed to helping those looking for a job with our "30-Second Pitch." Today, Tania Anderson, a former corporate flight attendant and administrative assistant, is our special guest. Tonya has been without a full time job since 2005. She's even extended her training, earning a certificate from UCLA in entertainment public relations.
Tania, you have been doing everything possible to find a job.
TANIA ANDERSON, JOB SEEKER: Yes, Kyra, I really have. I've been networking unbelievably, constantly sending out resumes. Sometimes you know, when you e-mail, you just feel like it goes to outer space. You know?
PHILLIPS: Yes! A lot of people are saying it's hard to get face-to-face interviews nowadays. So much is done by Internet and Web sites. What's been the hardest part for you, Tonya?
ANDERSON: Oh, my God. Just trying to maintain my positive attitude and just know something good is going to come up. It's a question of linking up with the right person, the right employer. So, I really appreciate this golden opportunity you're giving me today.
PHILLIPS: Well, it's our pleasure to do it. And also, I know you did a lot of volunteer work with CARE, Habitant for Humanity and you haven't been able to do that because of the constant workload, trying to find a job, right?
ANDERSON: Correct. Exactly. Once I'm back on track, I'll go full speed ahead with my volunteer work, which is so valuable and means so much to me.
PHILLIPS: All right, Tania. Let's get to it. You ready for your "30-Second Pitch?
ANDERSON: Yes, I am.
PHILLIPS: All right, we'll start the clock. Take it away.
ANDERSON: All right. I have over five years experience as a corporate flight attendant. From beginning to end, I take care of the pristine aircraft, boarding delectable goodies and creature comforts while maintaining the perfect ambiance in flight and beyond.
I'm very gracious; I'm a natural-born diplomat who's worked these trips all over the world. Previously, I worked White House press charters and military charters and have recruited, trained and supervised flight attendants in India, Africa and the Middle East. I have bachelor's in political science and international studies from American University, and a certificate in entertainment public relations from UCLA Extension.
PHILLIPS: Look at that! You've even got some extra time. OK. That was perfect.
ANDERSON: I can't believe it! That's wonderful.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: It was beautifully done.
ANDERSON: I was so worried about the ding ding!
PHILLIPS: No! And you a true diplomat. Tania Anderson, you keep us posted. Let us know if anyone reaches out. We'll have all your information on my blog, OK?
ANDERSON: Thanks, Kyra! Happy new year.
PHILLIPS: Happy new year to you, too.
If you're out of work, want to sell yourself to perspective employers, let us know. Do exactly what Tania did. Send us your resume and a letter to 30SecondPitch@CNN.com. And if you want to hire a 30-second pitchers, like Tania Anderson, all you have to do is go to our blog, CNN.com/kyra. All the information and e-mails will be right there.
There's a new addition to the league of superheroes. Meet Electron Boy. His Make-a-Wish dream was granted, and he got to save Seattle. Now the cancer patient's good deeds are immortalized in ink. He's making his mark with a new comic book. And we're talking to him next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, wasting no time. The 112th Congress already acting on promises made by some in the GOP. Brianna Keilar at Capitol Hill now with the latest as it's all going down. Brianna?
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Kyra. Well, this is kind of a procedural vote that's going on right now. What we're expecting next after this is going to be really much more of a big deal. The first real vote on repealing health care reform. It's going to be a vote that sets up all of the debate, all of the parameters for what's going to go down next Wednesday, which is when we're actually going to see that vote on repealing health care reform.
So, right now, you can see on the House floor members gathering. We've been witnessing a whole lot of debate, Kyra. Republicans and Democrats on this very contentious issue. Just a few days now where Republicans have controlled the House of Representatives, and they're really making their statement here right now that they are challenging President Obama. And they're challenging him on this very important accomplishment from the White House's perspective of passing health care reform.
We're going to be monitoring all of these votes as they go down, Kyra, and bring them to you as they happen. Just listen right now to some of the sound, some of the really fiery debate we've been hearing on the House floor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With this rule, we are setting in motion an effort to repeal President Obama's job-killing health care bill and replace it with real solutions. And I underscore that again because all the attention is focused on the fact that we are going to be trying to kill good provisions that are out there.
Madam Speaker, we want to start with a clean slate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Republicans don't care about Grandma. They want to take back the drug benefits in the new law. GOP used to stand for Grand Old Party. Now, it stands for Grandma's Out of Prescriptions. The Republicans don't care repeal shows they don't care about sick children with medical bills pushing families into bankruptcy. They don't care about Grandma and Grandpa who need help paying for prescription drugs -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: So, Republicans here saying that this health care overhaul is a job killer, that it's unconstitutional because it requires all Americans to get health insurance. And then, Kyra, on the flip side, you have Democrats saying that while Republicans will say it costs too much, you have Democrats say if you look at some recent number from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that show that repealing this will add $230 billion to the deficit. They're holding up those numbers and saying this isn't really a fiscally responsible move and what's more, it's going to take away benefits from seniors and young people. There is a lot of debate going on, and we'll be watching it here over the next several minutes and into the next hour, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: We will watch it with you. Thanks so much, Brianna.
Well, cancer patient's good deeds are immortalized in ink. Our "Making Your Mark" segment, up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Superheroes have a long legacy of secret identities. Peter Parker and Spiderman, Bruce Wayne as Batman, Clark Kent as Superman. And Eric Martin as Electron Boy. He's fighting cancer and now, thanks to Make-A-Wish Foundation wish that was granted, he's fighting evil doers in Seattle as well. Check it out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm Lightening Lad. It's the best day of my life to be able to meet you. I understand there's some darkness happening in the city, and it's up to you and I to take care of some of that trouble.
Here's the two people we're up against today, Electron Boy. Dr. Dark and Blackout Boy. Between you and I, we're going to take care of these people, right? Right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And what's a superhero without a comic book? Well, last November, CCP Comics actually developed this ten-page adventure, forever immortalizing the adventures of Electron Boy. All proceeds, by the way, go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
And with us now, Electron Boy a.k.a. Eric Martin. He actually gave us permission to unveil his secret identity so he could tell about this amazing story.
He's also joined by his dad, Jeremy. They're both via Skype from Seattle. There's a little bit of a delay, but we'll do the best that we can.
So, Eric, what was it like to save the Seattle sounders from Dr. Dark and Blackout Boy? What was that like?
ERIC MARTIN, WISH GRANTED BY MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION: Good.
PHILLIPS: Good? Describe -- yes?
MARTIN: It was pretty cool.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: What kind of superpowers did you have that day?
JEREMY MARTIN, ERIC'S FATHER: Lightening saber.
E. MARTIN: I had --
PHILLIPS: Light saber, yes?
J. MARTIN: He had some hand moves that Spiderman taught him -- just how to do things.
PHILLIPS: Really? You had special hand moves, too! Oh, my gosh!
What did it feel like to save those lives and to hear those people cheering for you? Did it make you excited? Did it make you happy?
E. MARTIN: Yes -- excited.
J. MARTIN: He was really energized.
PHILLIPS: I can bet it did. And Eric, why did you want to be a superhero?
E. MARTIN: To save the world!
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Now, Jeremy, I understand your son said not only did he want to do this to save lives, but he wanted to meet some new chicks. Is that true?
J. MARTIN: Well, he's a teenager, you know. He does like the young ladies.
PHILLIPS: I see him laughing. Erik, did you get a new girlfriend once they saw you saving lives?
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: He's kind of thinking about that one. When I heard him say that -- so, Jeremy, tell me how this made you feel when you got to see your son out there in the Electron Boy outfit and garnering the attention that he was getting and actually being a superhero in full force.
J. MARTIN: Well, it was a really overwhelming day, and he started off, you know, little uncertain about it all. But then when he really got into it, it was so gratifying. Because normally, day- to-day, his energy level has not been very high, but he was really having fun. And I was teary-eyed most of the day.
PHILLIPS: I know today's been a bit of a tough day, and we're so glad we've got you both with us. What has Eric told other kids, Jeremy, about fighting cancer and staying strong? How has it impacted his friends, other cancer patients and of course, you and your wife, Judy?
J. MARTIN: Some of his friends have come around to visit him, including a friend he hadn't seen in a long time, and that's really great. I think they're inspired. But what we've seen is inspiration of people who have become fans on his Facebook site, who have got sick kids themselves. This has really given them some hope. And for us, this is really an absolutely wonderful legacy he is creating that we are just so proud of.
PHILLIPS: We're sure proud of Eric. Before we let you go, Eric, any final words, words of advice to others out there about Electron Boy and what he means to you?
E. MARTIN: Electron boy, what?
J. MARTIN: Electron Boy away?
(LAUGHTER
PHILLIPS: I love it. You stay strong, Eric. We're sure proud of you. And Jeremy, thanks so much for being by his side today. What a great story.
J. MARTIN: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: You bet.
The U.S. Constitution, a blueprint for democracy. But not exactly a formula for thrilling political theater. CNN's Jeanne Moos takes a look at the yesterday's grand gesture in the House of Representatives.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: So, when the lawmakers in the House took to the floor yesterday to read the U.S. Constitution aloud, it was a grand gesture, maybe even noble. But no one could describe it as scintillating. CNN's Jeanne Moos has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Normally, politicians like to wave it around.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm asking you about this. This United States Constitution.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But we have to stand for this Constitution.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can and do read it for myself.
MOOS: But instead of reading it to themselves, House members read it to us. And we learned the Constitution doesn't always roll off the tongue.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Pass any bill of a tender ex post facto law --
MOOS: Or read like a John Grisham novel.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But to no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture -
MOOS: Huh? Sure, there were sexy parts, like the Amendments.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.
MOOS: Versus the not-so-sexy parts --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And the word "the" being interlined between the 43rd and 44th lines.
MOOS: As representatives took turns, some made it sound like a bedtime story for kids.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- in which case it will not be a law.
MOOS: And others read it as if they were kids.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If he approved, he shall sign it. But it not, he shall return it.
MOOS: The most famous part went to the new speaker of the House John Boehner.
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: We the people of the United States --
MOOS: Not quite "Schoolhouse Rock" style. No one likes to be interrupted while they're reading, as Democrat Frank Pallone was. He was reading the requirement that only a natural born citizen -
FRANK PALLONE (D), NEW JERSEY: -- shall be eligible to be the office of president.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Except Obama, except Obama! Help us, Jesus!
MOOS: So-called birther was called off by police. The biggest applause came for the 13th Amendment, outlawing slavery.
(APPLAUSE)
MOOS: And if you're wondering how long it took the House to read the entire Constitution --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Or of such other body --
MOOS: An hour and 24 minutes. Though it seemed a lot longer.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Begun and held at the city of New York on Wednesday, the 4th of March.
MOOS: Watching live coverage of this would make even a Tidy Cat commercial seem like a relief.
But forget the House, there was another important document in the Senate this week. Vice president Biden was swearing in new senators when a kid -
JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I need to borrow that back now.
MOOS: -- refused to return the VP's script. Vice President Biden reached for a mint -
BIDEN: Which hand?
MOOS: -- and distracted young William.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: That one.
BIDEN: He got it!
MOOS: Hey, that should be unconstitutional. Jeanne Moos, CNN --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- is not constitutional.
MOOS: -- New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Have a great weekend, everyone. See you back here on Monday. CNN NEWSROOM with Frederika Whitfield comes up right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
