At two-year mark, health law's legacy is confusion - The Washington Times

		Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Today's Top Stories
At two-year mark, health law's legacy is confusion Two years after congressional Democrats squeezed out enough votes to pass President Obama's health care overhaul, confusion still reigns among the states, insurers and average Americans struggling to comply with the hundreds of pages in the law. Romney rallies for 'economic freedom' Mitt Romney focused his attacks Monday on President Obama as he campaigned ahead of the Illinois primary, while his chief rival for the GOP nomination — Rick Santorum — blasted the former Massachusetts governor's health care record and predicted that delegates will reject him if the race lasts until this summer's convention. Dire finances leave Detroit stalled Despite assurances from Clint Eastwood and Eminem, Detroit's rebirth may be on hold, as the city is on a fast track to run out of money before summer, and things are getting increasingly testy between the state's Republican governor and the city's Democratic mayor. Broncos stick necks out for Manning; will Tebow stay? The spirits of Colorado football fans soared a mile high when word broke Monday morning that future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Peyton Manning had decided to play for the Denver Broncos. They just had one request: Keep Tim Tebow, too. Hollywood cash finds its way to D.C. campaigns On the same day last year that employees of D.C. contractor Jeffrey E. Thompson gave big credit card donations to D.C. Council member Vincent B. Orange, so too did a Hollywood producer and his company 3,000 miles away. Feds to investigate fatal shooting of Fla. teen The federal Justice Department says it has begun an investigation into the fatal shooting death of an unarmed black teen in Florida by a neighborhood watch captain. Year of revolt in Syria fails to loosen Assad's grip Middle East analysts acknowledge that they underestimated Syrian President Bashar Assad, who remains in power and on the offensive a year after protests against his regime erupted. Small office has big job as monitor of ethics in the House To many Washington outsiders, congressional ethics is an oxymoron or fodder for late-night comedians, but watchdogs and longtime Washington observers point to one hopeful sign — an office they believe is helping members take ethics rules more seriously. Panel's ruling a boost to anti-smoking warnings The federal government can require tobacco companies to "reserve significant packaging space" for anti-smoking warnings and graphic images on their cigarette labels, a three-judge appellate panel ruled Monday. Retired military officers call for curbing China's power China's burgeoning military poses a significant security threat to Southeast Asia and beyond unless quickly counterbalanced by the U.S. and its allies, said several retired military officers Monday at a Washington symposium. Dispute over Eisenhower memorial A dispute over a memorial design featuring a statue of President Eisenhower as a barefoot boy is threatening to delay construction of a national memorial to the 34th president and leader of the Allied forces in World War II. Inside the Beltway: The Marco Rubio mystery Political handicappers want to know: Did Sen. Marco Rubio bump the publication of "An American Son" up from October to June 19 because he's actually the vice presidential nominee? Natural gas industry high on future, despite current low prices Despite looming federal regulations and rock-bottom market prices, leaders in the natural gas business are confident the shale boom that's helped revitalize economies from Pennsylvania to Wyoming is only just getting started. Apple confirms dividend, buyback Apple is finally acknowledging that it has more money than it needs. But don't expect the high-tech market leader to cut prices on iPhones and iPads. Instead, the company said on Monday that it will reward its shareholders with a dividend and a share buyback program. Report: U.S. makes modest gains in graduation rate Aggressive efforts to prevent students from dropping out of school contributed to a modest 3.5 percentage point increase nationally in the high school graduation rate from 2001 to 2009, according to research to be presented Monday at the Grad Nation summit in Washington. Students want Fla. watch leader who shot teen arrested College students around Florida rallied Monday to demand the arrest of a white neighborhood watch captain who shot an unarmed black teen last month, though authorities may be hamstrung by a state law that allows people to defend themselves with deadly force. Commentary MILLER: Obama ISO SWF Single women put Barack Obama in the White House. Their overwhelming vote in 2008 proved decisive, but the failed economy has put that support in jeopardy. President Obama and his allies on Capitol Hill have created the false narrative that Republicans are waging a war against women to win back the single, white females who have turned against Mr. Obama in droves. DECKER: 5 questions with NFIB's Dan Danner Dan Danner is president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business, America's leading advocacy group for small businesses. The average NFIB member employs 10 workers. A former White House staffer, Mr. Danner served as chief of staff to the U.S. secretary of commerce and in the private sector as an executive with Armco Inc., a steelmaker. SMITH: Kagan and Obamacare - still no answers Even before he became President, Barack Obama promised the American people his would be the most open, transparent administration in history. Unfortunately, his administration's record doesn't match his campaign rhetoric. Now, on the eve of one of the most important Supreme Court arguments in our nation's history, the stonewalling that has become the hallmark of the Obama administration may call into question the legitimacy of the court's ultimate decision. KEENE: Choosing between sheep and rock Illinois voters are headed to the polls Tuesday, and while most will focus on the GOP presidential primary, at least one other contest deserves attention. EDITORIAL: The next war in Afghanistan American troops will soon leave Afghanistan. What could become a key policy question for the 2012 election is, what will happen after they depart? 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