On September 13, 2010, Republicans rolled out their "Pledge to America" which included balancing the budget, repealing and replacing Obama's healthcare reform (while keeping the most popular parts to claim credit for), and extending the Bush tax cuts, even for the wealthiest 2% of our country. They are crouched and ready to undo everything that the Obama administration and progressive Democrats have accomplished and move us back to the same policies that lead this country to economic turmoil.
On the same day, Democrats had reason to celebrate as many of the most popular healthcare provisions have become law. But they stayed hidden from the media and lost the opportunity to take credit for a bill that is going to truly benefit Americans and their families. They have become so timid in the face of Republicans yelling about taxes that they haven't come out and told people the truth about the Bush Tax Cuts - that extending those tax cuts would be irresponsible as a nation that has too much debt and is still paying for two wars.
For anyone having doubts about where Republicans and Democrats differ in policy and how they will differ in RESULTS - below are two articles that should leave no question in the minds of those that are truly concerned about our country, our economy, and our debt.
1st: An article from the Washington Post on September 21, 2010 titled, "Ending Bush Tax Cuts Would Balance Budget".
Ending Bush Tax Cuts Would Balance Budget
It's not an option either party is pushing, but letting the Bush tax cuts expire would put the United States close to balancing the budget by 2015, reports The Washington Post. "If we actually ended the Bus-era tax cuts, that would pretty much do it," Obama's former budget director, Peter Orszag, told CNN last week. Official budget estimates show that the goal could be accomplished in five years, not counting interest payments on national debt. By contrast, the Republican plan to renew the tax cuts would add almost $4 trillion to deficits by 2020, while President Obama's plan to extend cuts for all but the richest Americans would add $2 trillion.
Read original story in The Washington Post | Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010
2nd: Article from The New York Times Friday, September 24, 2010 titled, "Republican Pledge is Bogus".
Republican "Pledge" Is Bogus, Argues Krugman
New York Times columnist Paul Krugman says the House Republicans' "Pledge to America" doesn't add up. In the "Pledge" legislative blueprint released Thursday, House Republicans promised to balance the budget while making the Bush tax cuts permanent and protecting "common-sense exceptions for seniors, veterans, and our troops." (Krugman interprets this as Social Security, Medicare, and defense spending.) Krugman says that the pledge is nonsense. He cites research by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center showing that the only way to balance the budget by 2020 and keep the specified programs in place would be to "completely abolish the rest of the federal government" including Congress. Krugman says Republicans don't mind a bit of balderdash if it will sweep them into power. His worry is that once they get there, they will "gain just enough power to make the country ungovernable."
Read original story in The New York Times | Friday, Sept. 24, 2010
The facts are clear. The opposing parties positions are clear. The results of those positions have had visible historic results to judge by. And yet, the American people don't see the distinction because the Democrats aren't making their case. They aren't fighting as hard, they aren't showing their passion and their pride in what they have done. They aren't standing up for their convictions - and until they do, how do they expect the American people to stand behind them?
It is time for Democrats to stop being the "hidden Dragon" and show their strength. The crouching tiger of the Republican party is ready to pounce and take all that we value as Americans away and turn our country into one that has too much debt to ever have a strong recovery. Republicans promote policies that represent wealthy corporations over the working class. They do not have any empathy for the poor, jobless, or those whose jobs have been outsourced in this country and basically consider them lazy "welfare" recipients - while at the same time promoting giving wealthy corporations a "free lunch" when they don't need it to maintain their lifestyle.
If anyone reading this article is truly concerned about the deficit, then the Bush Tax Cuts have to expire and tax rates will have to go back to pre-Bush tax rates. Once we aren't paying for two wars, our deficit is reduced, and the economy has recovered - then we can revisit tax cuts for everyone. But, for now, we as a nation have to be responsible and pay down our debt.
Republicans want to cut the budgets for social programs - sacrificing those that are suffering - when the wealthiest 2% can afford to pay 3% more in taxes (only on the income or profit OVER $250,000.00 a year) without sacrificing anything from their lifestyle at all.
The argument that these tax cuts will affect small businesses is bogus. Very few "small businesses" as defined by average Americans will be affected at all and they have many tax credits available to help them in this economy.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
