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Campbell Brown
Anger on Tax Day; President Obama Prepares to Visit Mexico
Aired April 15, 2009 - 20:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ROLAND MARTIN, CNN ANCHOR: And, hey, folks.
On this tax deadline day, are we seeing a making of a real revolution? All day, we have been watching thousands, some estimates say at least 10,000 people, gather at more than 300 organized ante-tax TEA Parties. In this case, tea stands for Taxed Enough Already.
Now, the demonstrators are taking aim at President Obama and Congress over taxes, government spending, as well as bailouts. But is their anger justified?
We will take you live to what may be the biggest gathering of all in a moment.
But, first, check out what we have been hearing at rallies across the country.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What they're doing to our country is absolutely -- it's pitiful.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm worried about obviously our taxes. We can't afford to pay any more taxes. But I'm also really concerned about what my tax money's being spent for.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, as far as I'm concerned, our country is raped as we sleep. We just need to wake up. And this is the best way to do it.
CROWD: USA! USA! USA! USA!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARTIN: Tonight, with taxes and spending on the front burner, we start with David Mattingly outside the Georgia state capitol in Atlanta, where the rally has been under way for about an hour.
Now, David, you're in the crowd. And, so, who are the folks out there and what are they telling you?
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Roland, the city of Atlanta blocked off an entire city street for this rally. And the entire street is filled with people, everyone elbow to elbow.
There have been a lot of chants of people saying they don't want any more taxes. They're listening to a lot of politicians and a lot of speakers here, a lot of enthusiasm. They're hoping that their message is hurt back in Washington.
Just to give you an idea of what we're dealing with here, this is just a fraction of the crowd, so many signs here, so many different agendas. We have heard a lot about how these rallies were sparked by Internet networking.
Well, a lot of people I talk to here say they got their cues and heard about this by listening to conservative talk radio. So, that might give you an idea of some of the agendas of the people here as they try to make their messages heard back in Washington.
I actually made a list. This goes beyond just no more taxes. There are people here asking for no more bailouts, no more earmarks, no more stimulus projects, no more deficit spending. So, it's a very broad agenda and a lot of it directed directly at the Obama administration and the spending policies of the Obama administration -- Roland.
MARTIN: All right, David, we certainly appreciate it. Thanks a bunch.
And, folks, I want to show you the scene across the country as thousands hit the streets. In Boston, here's what it looked like in that city where several hundred people gathered in the hometown of the original Tea Party in 1773, back when the British tried to tax the colonies without representation.
Now, in Washington, D.C., some 500 protesters turned out in front of the White House. And the Secret Service grew concerned when some of them threw tea bags over the fence.
In Texas, police say 1,000 people showed up at Austin City Hall. Republican Governor Rick Perry fired up the crowd, with some in the audience yelling the word "secede."
Also, I want to bring in -- also, right now, folks, in just a moment, we're going to actually go to a former congressman from Texas.
So, it's pretty interesting when you look at what is happening all across the country, in terms of Austin, whether it's Boston and some of the other different cities. And so one of the issues we want to deal with, with Dick Armey also deals with what do they do next. Of course, he was the House majority leader from 1995 to 2002. And he's now the chairman of FreedomWorks, a group that calls for less government and lower taxes. And it's one of the sponsors of tonight's TEA Party in Atlanta.
Congressman, how you doing?
DICK ARMEY, FORMER REPUBLICAN HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER: I'm doing fine. It's quite an event.
MARTIN: Well, look, we know that Americans are frustrated and nobody certainly likes government. But we're also in a crisis. Something needs to be done.
What are you suggesting should be done when we're talking about taxes and spending?
ARMEY: Well, the fact of the matter is, the biggest problem we have is that government is too big and spends too much money and is spending way, far too much in deficit.
I think real people understand that. And they're saying, look, we can't take the burden of a burgeoning government running out of control, printing money, causing inflation. We need to rein in the size of government. And, having done so, we can then cut taxes responsibly, in order to encourage savings and investment and create growth.
It's just the opposite of what the president's policies are. And I think these folks are saying, we, real working men and women in America, know better what we need and we need a smaller government, one that we can afford to carry. We just can't carry the burden of a blown-up bigger government.
MARTIN: Now, here's what is interesting. Of course, when President Bush came into office, there was a surplus. Then there was a deficit. We saw spending under the Republicans when they ran Congress and also the White House.
And so do you frame this as a Republican-Democrat issue or is this simply a conservative-liberal issue, regardless of what side or what party somebody is in?
ARMEY: No, it's a big government, and government control issue vs. individual liberties, smaller government and trust in the private sector to correct its problems.
It's a question of, what works best to give people opportunity, the market or the government? And most of the folks here, and we read the signs, are saying, look, it's the private sector that supports the government, not the other way around.
MARTIN: You talk about a lot of folks being here, in terms of being regular folks. But when you look at the president's tax plan, those folks making under $250,000 are going to -- will not see their taxes go up.
And so when it comes to the tax policy, who are the folks actually representing? Are you saying that those who make more shouldn't be taxed? Give us a sense of that in terms of what they're saying.
ARMEY: First of all, yes, I have been studying the tax code for a lot of years.
The president doesn't have an economic tax policy. He has a social justice tax policy. He wants to redistribute income through the tax code. And in his own words, prior to the election, he said, in my administration, nobody in America who makes under $250,000 will have one nickel's worth of tax increase.
He's already violated that pledge with a cigarette tax increase, which is one of the most regressive taxes you can pass. Now, you can talk about it being good anti-smoking policy.
MARTIN: Right.
ARMEY: It's not in compliance with his commitment. It's not good tax policy. It may be acceptable social policy, to him, but there is nothing that is more debatable in this country than the whimsical notion of social justice.
MARTIN: Congressman, last question for you. I have covered lots of rallies and lots of protests.
And, oftentimes, the real issue is not what happens on that day, but what happens next. And, so, these TEA Parties taking place on April 15, what's going to happen on April 16, and 17, and 18? Do you believe that you're actually creating a movement, or will this simply be a one-day situation?
ARMEY: No, this is not a one-day situation.
I would think the next day you want to be looking for would be October -- or 9/12, Fourth of July. They are already -- and I talk to people all over the country that are planning these things. They are planning continuations of this. And they are planning a really consistent pattern of grassroots activism on such things as town hall meetings, congressional writing campaigns.
This is not going away. I know that an awful lot of the liberals think that this is a one-trick pony and that tonight will be the end of it. And I have to say, if they can believe that, they believe it at their peril.
MARTIN: All right, Congressman, we will certainly be watching to see what happens next.
Congressman Dick Armey, from Atlanta, we appreciate it.
Now, folks, Dick Armey has a lot more to say about whether these Tea Parties are the wave of the future. Got to CNN.com/Campbell, and we will link you to his op-ed piece this morning from "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution."
So, what's the real deal with your taxes? Do you have reason to worry or are you going to throw a TEA Party of your own? Ali Velshi is here with the answers.
Plus, heading into the heart of danger -- President Barack Obama is about to fly into the middle of Mexico, a country in the grips after a bloody drug war.
And, right now, the Americans who fought off pirates at sea are heading home. But pirates are still going after American ships. Will the U.S. really hunt them down?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARTIN: All right, folks. Now that you have heard all the shouting and seen all the emotion from today's TEA Parties, it's time to bring in the facts. We're giving you the real deal on your money and your taxes.
Chief business correspondent Ali Velshi is here with a NO BULL reality spoke.
Now, Ali, folks are worried about their taxes are being raised. Now, is there real reason for the level of outrage that we're seeing?
ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Roland, I think it's excellent people are concerned about where taxes are going. I think there's a lot of misinformation out there.
I think Dick Armey deserves a lot of respect for the hard work he has done. But he's talking about cigarette taxes? Let me tell you what people at low incomes are going to get back under this administrations' stimulus proposals, various proposals that are out there.
Let's talk about first of all the making work pay tax credit. Pretty much everybody who earns less than $75,000 is seeing $400. In fact, it goes higher than that, but is seeing $400 back per working individual on their paycheck.
I don't know how much you have to smoke to outdo the increase in cigarette taxes. But the bottom line is, that doesn't suggest that President Obama is taxing people at a lower rate. So, let's just keep this whole thing in perspective.
Let's take a look at other taxes that people are going to get back. If you're a first-time home buyer, by the way, able to take advantage of the lowest interest rates in more than 50 years at about 4.6 or 4.7 percent, you can get $8,000 back from the government for buying a new home. And that doesn't have to be paid back. So, there's another benefit for taxpayers.
The American Opportunity tax credit, that is a college tax credit for tuition in exchange for some community service up to $2,500 for people going to college. And finally -- and these are just a few examples of them -- if you weatherize your house, which again to Dick Armey's point might be good social or economic policy, whatever you want to call it, $1,500 if you do certain things like replace windows or add solar panels or things like that to your house.
So in 2008 nobody's taxes have gone up. What the government is doing isn't affecting anybody in 2008. But people can start to claim these tax credits on their 2009 taxes.
MARTIN: One of the big issues we keep hearing, spending, spending, spending.
VELSHI: Yes.
MARTIN: And the reality is, when you do add up all the numbers in terms of what we have seen from the president, they are staggering.
VELSHI: Yes.
MARTIN: So, break it down for us, so folks understand what it all is.
(CROSSTALK)
VELSHI: That's the big deal. That's the one thing people have to be concerned about, because we went into this with a massive debt and massive deficits.
Deficits are the shortfall every year of what you spend vs. what you take in. When you add up all the deficits, you have a debt that is in excess of $11 trillion.
Let's look at just a few examples of what the government has done. Going back to last year, in October, the TARP, this was the initial bailout plan, $700 billion, and that's been working its way through the system. Then there was the stimulus plan that we had in February, and that was $787 billion.
We have talked a great deal about that. TARP and stimulus are two defense things. Then we have the housing plan announced in February, detailed in early March. That is the one that allows people to refinance their homes or to modify their loans. That's worth about $75 billion.
Then the Federal Reserve went in and bought up mortgages from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or gave them money to buy those mortgages from your banks. That is what pushed interest rates down from 5 percent to about 4.6 percent. That was about $1.15 trillion. And, by the way, there were other interventions earlier, so this is not a full list of everything that has happened.
But that had a big effect on making homes affordable for people. And the Toxic Asset Relief Plan, which we might think of as the bank plan, the toxic asset plan, that could end up costing up to a trillion dollars. Right now, it's about $500 billion.
So, Roland, these things all add up and create deficits for the government and contribute to debt. The issue here is, will the economy start going, so that individuals and businesses are productive, pay taxes and bring that down? That's a very serious concern and one that is worthy of people's attention.
MARTIN: All right, Ali Velshi, always with the real deal, we appreciate it. Thanks a bunch.
Now, folks, President Obama has not been silent today. He defended his tax plan. Here is what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: For too long, we have seen taxes used as a wedge to scare people into supporting policies that actually increase the burden on working people, instead of helping them live their dreams. That has to change. And that's the work we have begun. We have passed tax cuts that will help our economy grow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARTIN: So what's the real deal with taxes and TEA Parties?
Well, we have got CNN contributor and Republican strategist Ed Rollins. He's joining me right here in New York. And in Washington, Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis.
Now, Chris, I want to start with you.
Now, you're a Democrat, obviously. And these TEA Parties all around the country, are you worried at all with what you're hearing, with what you're seeing, the level of passion being exhibited?
CHRIS KOFINIS, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: No, I'm not worried at all.
Here's what I think is interesting if you look at the facts. The facts are that President Obama has passed a tax cut that is going to benefit 95 percent of working families. And now compare that, for example, during the Bush administration when the tax cut they passed overwhelmingly benefited the top 1 percent, top 5 percent.
So you have a very interesting kind of contradiction, and then not to mention the fact that this argument about growth of government. The growth of government in terms of both spending and the size of government actually grew exponentially under the Bush administration, yet there was no such protest.
This is what I refer to as -- as everyone refers to as kind of Astroturfing. The only people that think these protests are real are the people that think George Bush was a good president. I mean, the fact is, you know, to be brutal about it, this is a Milli Vanilli type of movement. It sounds real, but it's not.
MARTIN: Ed, I want to play something that Joshua from New York had to say. So, let's go ahead and play that.
(CROSSTALK)
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JOSHUA, NEW YORK: It is all about the politics for the simple reason of the Republicans and the conservative right have nothing else to go after President Obama. And they have no leader and no vision. So, all they are trying to do is confuse the American public.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MARTIN: Ed, Dick Armey said this is not a question of Republican or Democrat; it's a matter of conservatives, in terms of their view, regardless of party.
But do you believe the GOP is trying to embrace this, or should they embrace it? ED ROLLINS, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: They should embrace it.
Obviously any time you can get on the side of taxpayers who are unhappy about either spending or paying too much on taxes, that's a side you want to be on.
What I would not underestimate -- I have been involved in a couple of these things that become revolutions when they start. The Ross Perot movement was a perfect example.
MARTIN: It was huge. President Bush went against his tax pledge.
ROLLINS: Absolutely. And it became gigantic.
Ronald Reagan began in '76 as a protest candidate, obviously took over a movement.
The president has obviously got high approval ratings today. The Congress is controlled by the Democrats. They can spend whatever they want and they will. But at the end of the day they have got to borrow that money.
And when you talk about tax reductions here, we're borrowing money to give these tax dollars back to these people and many of whom haven't paid -- there's not a real structural change in the tax system. There's a structural change on the spending side. And that's what is dangerous for all Americans, not just Republicans or Democrats.
MARTIN: And, Chris, what about that? Because obviously, Democrats, they have to be concerned if you have an increasing number of people, if, after today, we see this movement building and building. We have got 2010 mid term elections coming up and then, of course, in 2012.
KOFINIS: Well, listen, I think the Obama administration has done something very smart.
They have been very direct and honest about what needs to be done to address the serious economic crises that we face. The part that I get confused about is this notion that somehow the president just woke up and decided to spend trillions of dollars.
It was a direct response to the magnitude and the seriousness of crises that we had never faced, hadn't faced since the Great Depression. So, it was out of necessity. It wasn't out of some kind of ideology. And the criticism of Republicans just doesn't make sense.
What are you supposed to do, nothing? Let the economy collapse? That doesn't make sense.
MARTIN: Real quick, Ed, if you're a betting man, do you think this movement moves forward with some serious gusto? ROLLINS: Well, I think it definitely moves forward. I think obviously there's a long ways to go.
But more important, just one quick response there, there's no strategy. A lot of the stuff, the president promised in his campaign, so it's not like it's something brand-new. But equally as important...
MARTIN: You say no strategy? What strategy?
ROLLINS: Every one of these moves is a tactical move.
MARTIN: Gotcha.
ROLLINS: No one knows what the big picture is. They are throwing money out the door. They don't know whether it's going to work or not work. It's like New Orleans. There's still a lot of money the government threw out there that is not even put back in that city yet.
And my concern here is how much money is going to be wasted along the way.
MARTIN: And when you say they, it's Democrats and Republicans that are doing it.
(CROSSTALK)
ROLLINS: Absolutely. Americans.
MARTIN: Ed, Chris, we certainly appreciate it. Thanks a bunch.
Folks, we're keeping an eye on tonight's biggest TEA Party, the one going on in Atlanta. And we will check back with David Mattingly.
Also, with Somali pirates in the spotlight, a pressing question -- should America lead an international assault on the pirates?
George in Ohio thinks we have got enough on our plate. This is what he said.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
GEORGE, OHIO: We don't need to protect the rest of the world. The hell with the rest of the world. Let them take care of their own ships and their own people.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MARTIN: George, way too shy.
Folks, the crew attacked last week is just hours from landing in the U.S. We will tell you about what Washington is saying now about dealing with terror on the high seas.
And we're taking your calls tonight. The number is 1-877-NO- BULL-0. That's 1-877-662-8550. Don't forget you can also e-mail me or find me on Twitter and Facebook.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARTIN: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issues a stern warning to pirates: We have got a plan to go after you. That's what she said. We will tell you whether that plan includes rooting out the pirates on the ground in Somalia.
Also, President Barack Obama heads south to Mexico tomorrow, but it's no spring break. Immigration and drug wars are at the top of his agenda. We will discuss what else should be on the table.
And pick up your phone right now and give me a call about taxpayer TEA Parties.
This Texas I-Reporter isn't sold on them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EGBERTO WILLIES, I-REPORTER: It is un-American for those who have so benefited from the tax code to want a tax cut at this time. Most Americans that complain about too many taxes likely pay very little taxes themselves.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARTIN: Are we seeing a beginning of a movement or just politics as usual?
Hit me at 1-877-NO-BULL-0. That's 1-877-662-8550. And you can e-mail me, Roland@CNN.com or send me a note on Twitter and Facebook.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARTIN: Today, we learned more harrowing details about what went down on board the hijacked Maersk Alabama at the moment pirates attacked. Two of the crew spoke to ABC News today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, ABC NEWS)
COLIN WRIGHT, MAERSK ALABAMA CREW MEMBER: From the very beginning, I knew that it could be very bad. And it was very bad.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did they fire at the ship?
WRIGHT: Absolutely.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you hear the bullets pinging off the hull?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Yes. Yes.
(CROSSTALK) WRIGHT: And Captain Phillips is doing so many things. He's driving the ship. He's giving orders. He's calling out over his handheld radio where the pirates are, what they're doing. He was incredible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARTIN: All right.
Meanwhile, tough talk today from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the face of two pirate attacks on U.S. ships off Somalia in less than a week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Let me underscore this point. The United States does not make concessions or ransom payments to pirates.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARTIN: Bold words right there, but will she back it up?
Erica Hill is here.
So, Erica, the question is this. Will the U.S. back it up? I mean, what are they going do about issue?
ERICA HILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the response into how they are going to deal with pirates is actually a little bit of a work in progress.
While the secretary did pledge today to work with shipping companies to improve safety in the region and also protect ships from future attacks, she stressed the need for better coordination. And she made it very clear, the Somali government has to step up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLINTON: We have a pretty good idea where the land bases are. And we want to know what the Somali government, what tribal leaders, who perhaps would not like to have the international community bearing down on them, would be willing to do to rid their territory of these pirate bases.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Now, one important step here in shutting down those pirates and their bases would be freezing their assets. The secretary said the administration is trying to track them down to do just that.
She also announced an administration, an all administration meeting which is scheduled for this Friday. Roland, they are going to discuss the American response to the increase in piracy and I'm sure map out probably what some of the future responses may be.
MARTIN: So, the Maersk crew, are coming back. But Captain Phillips, he isn't. Where is he?
HILL: Talk about a turn of events.
So, as we know, they were all supposed to be reunited today, fly back together, the entire crew, taking a chartered flight to Andrews Air Force Base. But some pirates got in the way, again. The captain missed his flight because the Navy ship which was bringing him to Mombasa to be reunited with the crew, the USS Bainbridge, had to shift course a little to escort the Liberty Sun to safety.
Now, the Liberty Sun of course is the ship we told you about at the end of last night's show which was attacked yesterday. No pirates, though, of course, did make it aboard, but the irony there, huh?
MARTIN: I know. He's like, let me just get home.
HILL: Right.
MARTIN: Out of...
(CROSSTALK)
HILL: I have had enough of you people attacking my boats. I don't care who you are. I want out.
MARTIN: And I want to get away from all the shooting, absolutely.
Now, what also, more details about the Liberty Sun attack.
HILL: We are learning more about that attack. And part of this is coming from those e-mails. We shared some of those e-mails with you last night.
As we read through more of them, these e-mails from one sailor to his mother, well, he said pirates fired a rocket-propelled grenade on the Liberty Sun. This is the boat right here. So, we're seeing what he said happened. The rocket-propelled grenade fired into the Liberty Sun.
Well, the boat took evasive measures. Meantime, the crew was actually hiding in the engine room. The pirates, who claimed the attack was motivated by revenge, after Navy sharpshooters shot and killed three of the pirates holding Captain Phillips hostage, well, they fled before the USS Bainbridge got there.
One of the leaders, though, repeating that threat of retaliation, saying -- quote -- "We are looking for vessels of U.S. and French nationals."
Well, the navies are also looking for these men. And early today, in a separate incident, the French Navy captured 11 suspected pirates off the coast of Kenya. The sailors tracked the pirates overnight from the scene of another attempted hijacking and, then, Roland, seized them at dawn. So, apparently two can play that game. MARTIN: All right, Erica, we certainly appreciate it. Thanks a bunch.
Folks, you have to know your enemy, as they say. Now, to stop these pirates, we need to know exactly what we're dealing with her.
Our next guest, Said Samatar, is an expert on Somalia and he's a professor at Rutgers University.
Now, Said, real quick, you say the U.S. government, they have to deal with this from a long-term and a short-term issue. And so let's sort of walk through this here. What's the short-term issue they must confront now?
SAID SAMATAR, AFRICAN HISTORY PROFESSOR, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY: Short-term issue, first, develop immediate and effective intelligence on the ground.
Find out who these thugs, their clans are. And then look for their elders. The only authority, legitimate authority, that exists in the whole country today is the institution of elders. The elders are the key people to negotiating and settling a problem.
Find their elders, and approach them with a carrot-and-stick approach. Tell them, look, if you help us out to solve this problem, we will give you aid. If you don't, we will freeze your assets. We will even take your livestock from you.
MARTIN: It's interesting, you talk about dealing with the elders. That sounds similar to what we had to do in Iraq, when it came to -- and also Pakistan when it came to tribal leaders.
SAMATAR: That's right. In Iraq, as in Afghanistan, as in Somalia, you are dealing essentially with tribal societies. And so the only authority really there is is the authority of elders.
MARTIN: Also, the long-term issue, that is, sure, you're dealing with the short term in terms of elders in dealing with the pirates directly. But long term, you have an unstable government that's pretty much nonexistent. How do we advance that issue as well, because without any government you're back to no laws?
SAMATAR: Well, they say it has been a very difficult problem to stabilize Somalia. As you know, this is a place without an effective center of government for nearly 20 years. But now, it looks like with the new elected president, Sheikh Sharif, he has a chance to bring the country together, and I think we should help him reconstruct Somalia with legitimate aid.
You can't stabilize Somalia on the cheap. He needs police. He needs a security service, and this is going to cost the money.
MARTIN: So you're saying, look, it's not just military. You must do political will as well.
SAMATAR: Absolutely. MARTIN: All right. Said, we certainly appreciate it. Thanks so much. We certainly look forward to having you again as we follow the story to the conclusion.
SAMATAR: My pleasure. Thank you.
MARTIN: Folks, say what you want about the octomom. She sure got some business smarts. Ahead, the money-making move she thought of that you probably didn't.
At the top of the hour, you won't want to miss "The Donald." That's right. Donald Trump is tonight's guest on "LARRY KING LIVE."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARTIN: Folks, tonight we want to know what you think of those anti-tax tea parties sprouting up around the country today. Are they the real deal?
Call us now at 1-877-NO-BULL-0. That's 1-877-662-8550. But first, time to go to Joe Johns with "The Briefing."
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Roland, several hundred Afghan women marching for equality braved a much larger angry mob in Kabul today. The women were protesting a law they fear marks the return to Taliban-style oppression. Critics say the law which applies to all Shiite Afghans allows husbands to rape their wives. President Obama has called the law abhorrent.
In New York, Archbishop Timothy Dolan was installed today at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The new archbishop says he plans to speak out against New York State officials' efforts to legalize gay marriage. New York's archdiocese is the nation's second largest with 2.5 million parishioners.
A small plane made an emergency landing on the playground of a Phoenix elementary school today. The plane apparently hit a chain link fence and came to a stop just feet from classrooms. The student pilot and flight instructor walked away and no one on the ground was hurt.
And take a look at this. A convenience store robbery in Georgia was foiled by a stepladder-wielding customer Monday. And get this, the robber-bashing hero is a homeless man who goes by the name of "caveman."
And, Roland, octomom is getting headlines again. No, she's not expecting again but Nadya Suleman wants to trademark the octomom name for a TV show and a line of children's clothing, including, obviously, diapers. So I guess an octomom has got to do what an octomom has got to do.
MARTIN: Do what you've got to do. Hope she's not going to charge you for saying the word "octomom" on TV.
JOHNS: You never know. MARTIN: All right. Joe, thanks. Thanks so much. I appreciate it.
Folks, I want to take a quick second and talk about education. I'm excited about a new undertaking we're calling class project. I'm excited because education is such an important part of who I am.
From my earliest memories, my parents insisted that school would be my highest priority and that of my brother and my three sisters. So, here's what class project is all about. Whether you're a student, a teacher or parent, we want to know what's going right or needs fixing in your schools.
Upload your videos to iReport.com/classproject. We want to use your videos to show everyone what's working and what's not working and help find solutions.
Now, President Barack Obama took on the Mexican drug cartels today on the eve of his first official trip south of the border. Can he turn the tide in the war on drugs?
And we want to know what you think of all those anti-tax tea parties going on tonight. Listen to what one caller had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAZEL, FROM LOUISIANA (via telephone): I think that a close eye should be kept on these people, because radicals are out there. And they are undermining the president's policies. Looked like the innocent flower, but these are serpents under it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARTIN: That's what Hazel said. What do you think? Give us a call. 1-877-NO-BULL-0. That's 1-877-662-8550. You can also e-mail me, roland@CNN.com or hit me up on Twitter and Facebook.
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MARTIN: All right, folks. Tomorrow, another road trip for President Obama. Fresh off his tour of Europe, the president is heading to Mexico and Trinidad. The war on drugs is at the top of his agenda. The administration is seizing the assets of three major drug cartels.
Also, take a look at this. Those cartels reach across most of Mexico, including some of the country's hottest vacation spots, places where you and I, definitely Jessica might go.
So with cartel violence so close to home, the president is facing a lot of problems on his Mexican trip. Jessica Yellin is here with more.
Now, Jessica, first off, exactly what is President Obama's primary agenda on this trip? JESSICA YELLIN, CNN NATL. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: His agenda has to do with drugs and the violence that's been going on in Mexico. So many Mexicans blame the U.S. for fueling the deadly drug wars taking place there, and the Obama administration is now promising to crack down on the huge number of illegal guns that are crossing from the U.S. into Mexico and on the massive demand in America for illegal drugs, drugs that are crossing from Mexico into this country.
Now, the president's team is pledging full cooperation with Mexico, today announcing a new border czar named Alan Bersin, who is supposed to help oversee more agents. His own boss says the U.S. will act as a vice, clamping down on the region, that there will, of course, I should mention, the other issues on the agenda in tomorrow's meetings. Roland, as you might guess, immigration will come out, the economy and trade, but drugs and guns will loom large.
MARTIN: An unusual stop on the trip is going to Mexico City. I mean, that's out of the ordinary for U.S. presidents.
YELLIN: It really is because Mexico City is an enormous chaotic city and usually violent. In fact, two Mexican police officials were killed in that city last year. So, most presidents usually go to safer terrain. But President Obama's visit there is a show of faith in Mexican President Felipe Calderon who's really been a strong partner for the U.S. in fighting drug violence.
In fact, Mr. Obama recently called Calderon the Eliot Ness of Mexico. You know, that's the famous FBI agent who brought down some Chicago mob bosses.
Now, frankly, also, Roland, the Mexico City visit is also a way to show Mexico a little love. Folks down there feel that they've been neglected by the U.S. for some time.
MARTIN: All right. Well, Jessica, we certainly appreciate it. Thanks so much.
Now, folks, no question the drug cartels have made Mexico a very dangerous place. Well, listen to what Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said today during a visit to El Paso, just across the border for one of the worst sites for drug violence -- Juarez, Mexico.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANET NAPOLITANO, U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Now I can give you some facts and figures from the El Paso sector. But I think, suffice it to say, that we're seeing signs of progress all over in terms of a safer and more secure border.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARTIN: Secretary Napolitano. The Mexican government says 1,600 people had been killed in drug violence during the first three months of this year. So, have things really improved on the border?
Karl Penhaul spent weeks tracking Mexico's drug gangs. Karl, he joins us right now.
Karl, you heard the secretary. She says we're seeing progress on the border. Now you spent the past month along the Mexican border. Are we really seeing progress in terms of safety?
KARL PENHAUL, CNN VIDEO CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think what they're pointing to there is the dramatic drop in drug-related deaths over the last few months, a 26 percent drop, I understand. So that would be a nice conclusion to be able to draw.
But last week I sat down in the Mexican City of Guadalajara and talked to an old school cocaine trafficker who's still in the business. And he says the reason this kind of violence and chaos breaks out is because cartels and their hit men have broken the cardinal rule, and that is respect.
And so in the case of Juarez, you see one cartel trying to encroach on another cartel's turf. And what could in fact be happening, according to this old school trafficker, is that simply those differences have now been resolved. That all the people that need to be killed to restore this respect have been killed and that way the drug trade can get on in a more peaceful manner, because he said the best climate the drug trade to thrive in is peace and quiet. They don't like violence any better than anybody else, Roland.
MARTIN: Now, Karl, there are reports and efforts by the U.S. and Mexico to push back against the cartels causing violence to spill over into Central America. So is that what you're also hearing?
PENHAUL: I've seen -- I've seen that, and I'm -- I don't necessarily agree that that's correct characterization of what is going on there. The border area, yes, has been violent, because this is where cartels and their hit men come into conflict with one another. But the fact that this violence is spreading down through Mexico into Central America, and, of course, back here to Colombia, I wouldn't suggest is evidence of the violence being displaced.
What is important for drug traffickers is not even the importance of the drug itself. What is more important for the drug trafficker is control of territory to have a safe corridor to move tons of drugs through. And so the fighting that has been extending further south into Central America is just part of the logic of the infighting between cartels. Each one is trying to take turf from the other to establish a safe corridor, to move the drugs from Colombia up to Mexico.
It's a sign that the Mexican cartels are getting ever more powerful, but I don't believe it's a sign that the violence is being displaced from the border -- Roland.
MARTIN: And, Karl, thanks so much. And, of course, Karl will be back later this evening with a full report on the Mexican drug cartels. And tune in to that "AC 360" at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.
Now, as if impeached governor Rod Blagojevich has to have enough adventure lately, why does he want to head for the jungle? Yes, a jungle. The answers coming up.
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MARTIN: Picture this, disgraced Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich in the Costa Rican jungle. Some Speedos and some blue suede shoes, I guess, he's an Elvis fan. That and more in tonight's "Political Daily Briefing" with national political correspondent Jessica Yellin.
Jessica, what do you got today? The White House tax returns.
YELLIN: Yes, I think we can now call President Obama the $2.6 million man. His 2008 tax returns show that is what he made last year. The majority of it from sales of his books.
The president also made some big donations to charity, $172,000, to be exact. The Obamas shared the wealth with 37 different charities and their largest donations went to the Catholic Relief Services and the United Negro College Fund. But if you think his 2008 income was a lot of money, get ready for this.
In 2007, the Obamas reported an income of more than $4 million. Again, most of that from book sales. And if you might wonder how that compares to the vice president? The Bidens are reporting income of $269,000. So Joe Biden might be a Washington insider but it sure looks like he hasn't cashed in on his access.
MARTIN: Yes, he almost qualified for a tax cut.
YELLIN: Almost.
MARTIN: That's one of the president's line (ph). All right.
Jessica, another issue, bedbugs. I mean, what's going on with this story. It's like a big bedbug problem?
YELLIN: Yes. This is a story, Roland, that could make your skin crawl. Bedbugs have become such a problem -- I know that was cheesy -- in the U.S. that for the first timing ever, the Environmental Protection Agency is actually hosting a two-day conference to discuss strategies for eradicating them.
Since 2005, the number of bedbug infestations across the country has tripled. According to the EPA, even upscale hotels are reporting them and so are homes, college dorms, even hospitals. The big question is, why?
One possibility the EPA is going to discuss, discuss increased international travel. So I guess we're blaming foreigners for bringing us bedbugs. Just not fair, I don't buy it.
And wouldn't you know, Roland? The EPA has actually banned some of the pesticides that are best at eradicating bedbugs because of public health concerns. And my favorite part of the story, the bedbug conference is being held in a hotel. There have not been any bedbug reports there so far, so participants can sleep soundly. MARTIN: I bet you they checked them.
YELLIN: I hope they checked. That's pretty gross.
MARTIN: All right. Let's deal with former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, reality TV.
Go right ahead.
YELLIN: It really was just a matter of time, wasn't it? A day after pleading not guilty to racketeering and fraud charges, former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has agreed to be a contestant on a new reality show "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here." And that's according to NBC which airs the program.
The show goes like this. Ten celebrities get dropped into the heart of the Costa Rican jungle. They deal with challenges and raise money for a charity of their choosing. No one is allowed to keep the winning.
So the press release announcing his new TV role says that Blagojevich actually needs court approval before he can officially participate. Roland, my big question is, what's he going to do about the hair with all the humidity in Costa Rica?
MARTIN: I thought he would do one of those hair reality shows.
YELLIN: He should do infomercials.
MARTIN: Right. You know, OK, maybe flavor of love.
All right. Jessica, we certainly appreciate it. Thanks so much.
Angry about taxes and taking to the streets. We've been hearing from people at tea parties like this all day here on CNN. Now, we want to hear from you. Give us a shout. 1-877-NO-BULL-0. It's 1- 877-662-8550.
Also, drop me an e-mail, roland@CNN.com or you can check me out on Facebook and Twitter.
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MARTIN: That's why I've got pink on tonight.
VELSHI: That's right.
MARTIN: Those anti-tax tea parties are still going on across the country tonight, and there's no denying lots of folks are very angry on this tax day.
David Mattingly is live on the scene of one of the biggest tea parties, this one in downtown Atlanta.
Now, David, organizers say these are nonpartisan rallies but does that match what you're seeing? MATTINGLY: Roland, they do say this is a nonpartisan rally. The organizers are very firm about that saying that they have people participating in these on all parties -- independent, Republican and Democrat alike.
In fact, we've talked to people here in the crowd. They say that they are for lower taxes. They are for more restraint in government spending. They feel like that's a message just about anyone can get behind.
If you look at the Web site, however, for this Atlanta rally, you see a list of about 30 contributors. Those contributors helped (ph) produce money that helped make this event happen. Almost all of them have links to the Republican Party -- Roland.
MARTIN: Thank you so very much.
Folks, I want to hear what you think so give us a call. 1-877- NO-BULL-0. 1-877-662-8550.
My man, Ali Velshi, is back with us taking your phone calls. So I want to go to those calls right now.
To the Tar Heel State, Calvin, North Carolina, you got 20 seconds. What's your comment?
CALVIN, NC (via telephone): I want to comment on how these tea parties are very, very untrue, because 95 percent of Americans (INAUDIBLE) be taxed, tax cut. And only the top two percent shall see a tax increase. And that is the increase to an astronomical level, but an increase to the Clinton administration when we had billions of dollars surplus and America was prospering.
MARTIN: OK.
CALVIN: Now, these tea parties are very, very misleading making people think that all are having their taxes raised almost two percent.
MARTIN: All right, Calvin. All right, I got you. You made your point. I certainly appreciate that.
Let's go to Deborah. She is calling from California.
Deborah, what's your comment? 20 seconds, please.
DEBORAH, CA (via telephone): Hi, I want to point out that we're not just taxed by the federal government. Our gasoline is taxed, our phone is taxed, our cell phone, our property taxes, sales, savings.
We're taxed twice. We've been taxed once on that money already, federal, state. Everywhere you look we're taxed, and that's what this tea party is all about because we have the biggest bill passed and no one read it.
That's what people are protesting. We have a broken federal government and we're going to have to pay for it. And we're going to have to pay big and that's what the anger is all about.
MARTIN: All right. Deborah, I certainly appreciate it. Thank you so very much.
I want to go to Ali Velshi right now. Now, Ali, look, I've covered city government. I've covered county government and state government. And one of the issues is this here.
These folks are getting their funds largely from taxes because you see cuts in the federal level, which cuts the state will then cut the city. That's where revenue comes from.
VELSHI: That's where revenue comes from. And both of your callers actually have a point. One of them, Calvin said that, you know, a lot of people are seeing tax breaks. But the bottom line is people are getting hit at the state level and at the municipal level.
And the other thing is your next caller, Deborah, made the point that we are getting taxed on many other things. So after you paid your taxes, you pay a lot of extra taxes all around.
Look, Roland, I am all for people understanding that we have a massive federal debt and deficit. We've got to solve that problem, but we got to separate the issue. What are we doing to actually solve this debt and deficit problem? And what is it that actually has to do with your taxation right now? Two different issues.
MARTIN: All right. Going to Rachel in Colorado.
Rachel, you got 20 seconds. What's your comment? Go.
RACHEL, CO (via telephone): I think we need to repeal the federal income tax and let people decide what they want to pay their taxes on. When they can't pay their mortgages, their medical bills and stuff for their kids, that's the problem. They're not being able to pay their bills because the government is taking their money before they get to it.
MARTIN: All right. We certainly appreciate it. Thanks a bunch.
Also, I want to read this here. Appleartist writes on Twitter. "I think 'stunts' like these keep us all from becoming complacent and keeps us and those that represent us honest to a degree."
VELSHI: I think that's true to some degree. Look, let's get out and have the topic. But this idea of a sales tax, a lot of people who think that sales taxes are better than income taxes, sales tax has hit low-income people disproportionately. And that's something to remember.
MARTIN: All right. Ali, thanks so much.
Folks, back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) MARTIN: Got tons of folks who've been burning up the Twitter and the phone calls and the e-mails, and so we certainly appreciate all of you providing comments to us. And so, again, keep doing that.
I love to hear from some more of you. So again, keep calling us, keep writing us. After the show, of course, I'll go online and check out your comments as well.
Hey, folks, we're going to see you tomorrow. Same time, right here, same bad channel.
"LARRY KING LIVE" with "The Donald" starts right now.
