The Libertarian Party congratulates Congress for passing a budget that makes serious cuts in federal government spending, including the following:
1. Eliminating Department of Education programs, saving taxpayers more than $40 billion each year.
2. Getting rid of farm subsidies, saving over $20 billion each year.
3. Ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as many other overseas deployments, saving over $100 billion annually.
4. Eliminating programs and subsidies in the Department of Transportation, saving about $80 billion annually.
5. Terminating federal housing subsidies, saving about $45 billion each year.
6. Giving overpaid federal employees a 10% cut in compensation, saving $30 billion annually.
7. Throwing out federal energy subsidies, saving $20 billion annually.
8. Reducing and reforming Medicare and Medicaid, saving about $100 billion a year for the next ten years.
9. Ending the federal War on Drugs, saving $15 billion annually.
10. Phasing out mandatory Social Security, and reducing the rate of benefit growth to save $40 billion a year by 2020.
"April Fool's!" cried Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict. "Congress hasn't done any of those things. Congress is causing the federal government to keep growing rapidly. And don't be fooled by the recent hype about Republican proposals for 'cuts.' Those 'cuts' are so small and so peripheral, that even if they pass, they won't have any effect on the fiscal catastrophe facing our children and grandchildren. Republicans and Democrats continue to link arms and keep our federal government huge and growing."
Benedict continued, "We got that list of items from a Cato Institute advertisement that ran in several major news outlets today. Of course, we wish Congress would cut all those things, but we know Republicans and Democrats won't do it."
The Libertarian Party platform calls for major reductions in the size and scope of government.
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Showing posts with label spending. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spending. Show all posts
Friday, April 1, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Press falsely credits Republicans with "deep cuts"
The mainstream press is falsely crediting Republicans for proposing "deep cuts" in federal spending. To fight back, the Libertarian Party is promoting its "Republican Wall of Shame" with an online ad in the Washington Post.
Libertarian Party Chair Mark Hinkle said, "I can't believe the press is saying Republicans are making deep cuts. It's just false."
On February 20, the Associated Press wrote, "The Republican-led House has approved a spending bill with deep cuts that Democrats call unacceptable."
On February 21, the New York Times wrote, "...the Republicans' fervor for the deep cuts adopted by the House."
On March 5, an NPR caption read, "The House was debating the continuing resolution (HR 1) that contained Republican-proposed deep cuts in the budget."
On March 8, the Los Angeles Times really went overboard: "For some, the House-passed GOP budget plan, with the deepest spending cuts in generations, goes too far in slashing jobs and programs."
Hinkle continued, "This phrase, 'deep cuts,' keeps appearing. But it's just comical to describe the Republican budget plan as 'deep cuts.' It would be more accurate to say 'microscopic cuts,' or even 'no cuts.' It's a spending bill that will result in discretionary spending of $1.356 trillion this year. That's higher than last year's $1.349 trillion. When did higher spending become a cut?"
Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict said, "Sure, Republicans want to attack a handful of Democratic pet projects. That's such a narrow sliver of the budget that it doesn't matter. It's political game-playing. It won't do anything to address our large-scale fiscal disaster."
Benedict continued, "Republicans and Democrats constantly try to pretend that they're on opposite sides of a huge chasm. Unfortunately, the mainstream press cooperates and hypes up that false notion. In fact, there's not a dime's worth of difference between them."
Overall federal spending is expected to be 7 percent higher this year than last year, even with all of the Republican "cuts" in HR 1.
To help set the record straight, the Libertarian Party is promoting its "Republican Wall of Shame." The Libertarian Party has purchased online ad space in the Washington Post, to help inform the public that Republican rhetoric about "cutting government" is hypocrisy.
Benedict continued, "One of my pet peeves is hearing all this nonsense about Republican House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan being a budget-cutter. Paul Ryan is a typical big-government Republican. He supported the giant Medicare expansion in 2003, the hugely expensive wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the expensive No Child Left Behind Act, the TARP bailouts, and on and on. Paul Ryan is one of the prominent Republicans featured on our Wall of Shame."
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Libertarian Party Chair Mark Hinkle said, "I can't believe the press is saying Republicans are making deep cuts. It's just false."
On February 20, the Associated Press wrote, "The Republican-led House has approved a spending bill with deep cuts that Democrats call unacceptable."
On February 21, the New York Times wrote, "...the Republicans' fervor for the deep cuts adopted by the House."
On March 5, an NPR caption read, "The House was debating the continuing resolution (HR 1) that contained Republican-proposed deep cuts in the budget."
On March 8, the Los Angeles Times really went overboard: "For some, the House-passed GOP budget plan, with the deepest spending cuts in generations, goes too far in slashing jobs and programs."
Hinkle continued, "This phrase, 'deep cuts,' keeps appearing. But it's just comical to describe the Republican budget plan as 'deep cuts.' It would be more accurate to say 'microscopic cuts,' or even 'no cuts.' It's a spending bill that will result in discretionary spending of $1.356 trillion this year. That's higher than last year's $1.349 trillion. When did higher spending become a cut?"
Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict said, "Sure, Republicans want to attack a handful of Democratic pet projects. That's such a narrow sliver of the budget that it doesn't matter. It's political game-playing. It won't do anything to address our large-scale fiscal disaster."
Benedict continued, "Republicans and Democrats constantly try to pretend that they're on opposite sides of a huge chasm. Unfortunately, the mainstream press cooperates and hypes up that false notion. In fact, there's not a dime's worth of difference between them."
Overall federal spending is expected to be 7 percent higher this year than last year, even with all of the Republican "cuts" in HR 1.
To help set the record straight, the Libertarian Party is promoting its "Republican Wall of Shame." The Libertarian Party has purchased online ad space in the Washington Post, to help inform the public that Republican rhetoric about "cutting government" is hypocrisy.
Benedict continued, "One of my pet peeves is hearing all this nonsense about Republican House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan being a budget-cutter. Paul Ryan is a typical big-government Republican. He supported the giant Medicare expansion in 2003, the hugely expensive wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the expensive No Child Left Behind Act, the TARP bailouts, and on and on. Paul Ryan is one of the prominent Republicans featured on our Wall of Shame."
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Friday, February 4, 2011
Libertarians: Tea Party betrayed by tiny Republican budget cuts
According to The Hill, House Republicans have just announced that they will seek appropriations for the rest of 2011 that are $32 billion below current spending levels.
LP Chair Mark Hinkle commented, "The Tea Party supporters have been betrayed. These cuts are so small, you need a microscope to find them."
Hinkle continued, "The Congressional Budget Office just told us that federal spending was expected to be about $3.7 trillion this year. After the Republican cuts, it will still be about $3.7 trillion. The Republican cuts are so tiny, they disappear in the rounding error.
"Even with these cuts, the federal deficit will be over $1.4 trillion this year.
"It doesn't help that Congressional Republicans voted for more unemployment spending and ethanol subsidies last December, or that they want to keep increasing military spending. And they haven't come up with any serious cuts to entitlements.
"I think the Tea Party supporters were expecting real cuts, not this nonsense. We tried to warn Tea Party supporters last year that the Republicans were just trying to fool them again. It looks like we were right.
"Oh, I'm sure we'll hear Republicans say they're just getting started, and more cuts are coming...just not yet. But I hope the Tea Party supporters and other fiscal conservatives wake up and smell the deficits. Our children are going to drown in debt, and the Republicans aren't going to save them. Republicans are part of the problem, not the solution.
"Tea Party supporters and other fiscal conservatives should support Libertarians, not Republicans. Libertarians would make dramatic cuts in spending, and if angry Republicans and Democrats threatened to shut down the government instead, Libertarians would say 'Fine.'"
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LP Chair Mark Hinkle commented, "The Tea Party supporters have been betrayed. These cuts are so small, you need a microscope to find them."
Hinkle continued, "The Congressional Budget Office just told us that federal spending was expected to be about $3.7 trillion this year. After the Republican cuts, it will still be about $3.7 trillion. The Republican cuts are so tiny, they disappear in the rounding error.
"Even with these cuts, the federal deficit will be over $1.4 trillion this year.
"It doesn't help that Congressional Republicans voted for more unemployment spending and ethanol subsidies last December, or that they want to keep increasing military spending. And they haven't come up with any serious cuts to entitlements.
"I think the Tea Party supporters were expecting real cuts, not this nonsense. We tried to warn Tea Party supporters last year that the Republicans were just trying to fool them again. It looks like we were right.
"Oh, I'm sure we'll hear Republicans say they're just getting started, and more cuts are coming...just not yet. But I hope the Tea Party supporters and other fiscal conservatives wake up and smell the deficits. Our children are going to drown in debt, and the Republicans aren't going to save them. Republicans are part of the problem, not the solution.
"Tea Party supporters and other fiscal conservatives should support Libertarians, not Republicans. Libertarians would make dramatic cuts in spending, and if angry Republicans and Democrats threatened to shut down the government instead, Libertarians would say 'Fine.'"
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Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Libertarian response to State of the Union and Republicans
This evening (January 25), Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict spoke in response to the addresses from President Barack Obama and Congressman Paul Ryan.
A transcript of Mr. Benedict's speech follows:
Good evening and thank you for your interest in the State of our Union.
My name is Wes Benedict. I'm the executive director of the Libertarian National Committee here in Washington, DC. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace.
Tonight we heard from President Barack Obama and a response from Republican Congressman Paul Ryan.
President Obama says he wants a freeze in non-security, discretionary spending. In the unlikely event that happens, it won't really matter, because to make a real dent in the deficit, it's necessary to cut spending on the military and entitlements. The president promised big government in the past, and he delivered. I expect more of the same.
However, Obama has truly been a hypocrite on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a candidate, he promised to end them. Tonight we heard more hollow promises. The fact is, as president, he has kept those wars going, and has greatly escalated the war in Afghanistan. As a percentage of GDP, military spending is higher now than it was during any year of the George W. Bush administration.
Unlike President Obama, Libertarians would bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and reduce the military budget.
On the Republican side, I found Congressman Paul Ryan's hypocrisy appalling. He claims to want big cuts in government spending. But he didn't seem to be too worried about cutting spending when Republicans were in charge. He supported the huge Medicare expansion in 2003, and the expensive No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. He supports the expensive War on Drugs. In 2008, he put hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars at risk by voting for the massive TARP bailout, and he even voted to spend billions on the GM and Chrysler bailout.
Just one month ago, Congressman Ryan voted for the tax compromise that included a big increase in unemployment spending, and even extensions of government spending on ethanol.
Republicans don't want to cut spending -- they want to talk about cutting spending.
Congressman Paul Ryan is a perfect example of why Republicans are bad for America.
Republicans' plans for Social Security and Medicare are little more than a distraction. It's time for someone to have the guts to tell seniors the truth: You were promised way too much, and now we've got to make major cuts. I'm asking retirees to think about the enormous debts piling up on your children and grandchildren.
Libertarians would stop spending billions on bailouts, the War on Drugs, federal education programs, and we would end mandatory Social Security and Medicare.
Today, America is a country that attracts hardworking immigrants from Mexico and around the world, leaving countries that are less free and prosperous. Libertarians welcome these immigrants warmly. But I often wonder if -- in 20 years -- America will still be a great place to live, or if it will be another declining civilization fraught with poverty and abuse that your children want to leave.
The future of America may depend on the Libertarian Party steering us towards liberty and away from tyranny.
The Libertarian Party is America's third-largest party, and one of the most successful alternative parties in American history.
We are recruiting bold, principled men and women dedicated to freedom to fill leadership positions and to run for office as Libertarians.
You don't have to agree with every single Libertarian position to join the Libertarian Party. You can still make a difference and help us move our country towards freedom.
The Libertarian Party has more information at our website, LP.org. Please visit LP.org and join the Libertarian Party today.
Thank you and good night.
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A transcript of Mr. Benedict's speech follows:
Good evening and thank you for your interest in the State of our Union.
My name is Wes Benedict. I'm the executive director of the Libertarian National Committee here in Washington, DC. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace.
Tonight we heard from President Barack Obama and a response from Republican Congressman Paul Ryan.
President Obama says he wants a freeze in non-security, discretionary spending. In the unlikely event that happens, it won't really matter, because to make a real dent in the deficit, it's necessary to cut spending on the military and entitlements. The president promised big government in the past, and he delivered. I expect more of the same.
However, Obama has truly been a hypocrite on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a candidate, he promised to end them. Tonight we heard more hollow promises. The fact is, as president, he has kept those wars going, and has greatly escalated the war in Afghanistan. As a percentage of GDP, military spending is higher now than it was during any year of the George W. Bush administration.
Unlike President Obama, Libertarians would bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and reduce the military budget.
On the Republican side, I found Congressman Paul Ryan's hypocrisy appalling. He claims to want big cuts in government spending. But he didn't seem to be too worried about cutting spending when Republicans were in charge. He supported the huge Medicare expansion in 2003, and the expensive No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. He supports the expensive War on Drugs. In 2008, he put hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars at risk by voting for the massive TARP bailout, and he even voted to spend billions on the GM and Chrysler bailout.
Just one month ago, Congressman Ryan voted for the tax compromise that included a big increase in unemployment spending, and even extensions of government spending on ethanol.
Republicans don't want to cut spending -- they want to talk about cutting spending.
Congressman Paul Ryan is a perfect example of why Republicans are bad for America.
Republicans' plans for Social Security and Medicare are little more than a distraction. It's time for someone to have the guts to tell seniors the truth: You were promised way too much, and now we've got to make major cuts. I'm asking retirees to think about the enormous debts piling up on your children and grandchildren.
Libertarians would stop spending billions on bailouts, the War on Drugs, federal education programs, and we would end mandatory Social Security and Medicare.
Today, America is a country that attracts hardworking immigrants from Mexico and around the world, leaving countries that are less free and prosperous. Libertarians welcome these immigrants warmly. But I often wonder if -- in 20 years -- America will still be a great place to live, or if it will be another declining civilization fraught with poverty and abuse that your children want to leave.
The future of America may depend on the Libertarian Party steering us towards liberty and away from tyranny.
The Libertarian Party is America's third-largest party, and one of the most successful alternative parties in American history.
We are recruiting bold, principled men and women dedicated to freedom to fill leadership positions and to run for office as Libertarians.
You don't have to agree with every single Libertarian position to join the Libertarian Party. You can still make a difference and help us move our country towards freedom.
The Libertarian Party has more information at our website, LP.org. Please visit LP.org and join the Libertarian Party today.
Thank you and good night.
-----
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Thursday, January 6, 2011
Libertarian Party of Georgia Announces Legislative Priorities for 2011 General Assembly Session
The Libertarian Party of Georgia announced their focused priorities for the 2011 legislative session. With four major areas of focus, Tax Reform, Budget Process Reform, Election Reform, and defeating the Prescription Monitoring Act, the third largest political party in Georgia lays out how they hope to influence the legislative session that begins January 10th. Available on the Party's website, LPGeorgia.com, a four page document outlines their focus for the session.
"Georgia faces serious problems in the areas of taxation and spending, and the people of Georgia deserve serious solutions," said the Party's Legislative Director, Jeff Sexton. "The Libertarian Party of Georgia is committed to offering those solutions, working to allow voters genuine choices at the ballot box including the recall of officials the voters deem are not living up to expectations."
With a heavy focus on reforming taxation and budgetary processes, the Libertarian Party of Georgia demonstrates their commitment to lowering taxes for Georgians and limiting the size and scope of government. Urging the elimination of the corporate income tax, reform of SPLOST regulations, and lower tax rates with fewer exemptions make up the bulk of their Tax Reform proposals.
As one might expect, the Party also advocates for greater access to the ballot for all candidates, noting the strictest ballot access laws in the nation status that Georgia has received in recent years. They propose a bill similar to one introduced last session by Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), Rusty Kidd (I-Milledgeville) and Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross), which eliminated the need to collect petition signatures in order appear on the ballot. Such a bill would allow independent and "third party" candidates the same access to the ballot as their Republican and Democratic counterparts.
"Our focus is to make Georgia a better state," said Brett Bittner, the Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of Georgia. "We see these areas as places to accomplish that. Lower taxes, more choices, and smaller government are issues from which every Georgian can benefit, and we're working to achieve those objectives in our focused efforts this legislative session."
The Party also notes that they support the sale of alcohol on Sundays and oppose enacting the health care legislation, passed last year by the Federal Government, in Georgia.
The Libertarian Party is Georgia’s third largest political party and the only party in Georgia promoting fewer taxes, less government and personal liberty for all Georgians. To learn more, please visit www.LPGeorgia.com
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"Georgia faces serious problems in the areas of taxation and spending, and the people of Georgia deserve serious solutions," said the Party's Legislative Director, Jeff Sexton. "The Libertarian Party of Georgia is committed to offering those solutions, working to allow voters genuine choices at the ballot box including the recall of officials the voters deem are not living up to expectations."
With a heavy focus on reforming taxation and budgetary processes, the Libertarian Party of Georgia demonstrates their commitment to lowering taxes for Georgians and limiting the size and scope of government. Urging the elimination of the corporate income tax, reform of SPLOST regulations, and lower tax rates with fewer exemptions make up the bulk of their Tax Reform proposals.
As one might expect, the Party also advocates for greater access to the ballot for all candidates, noting the strictest ballot access laws in the nation status that Georgia has received in recent years. They propose a bill similar to one introduced last session by Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), Rusty Kidd (I-Milledgeville) and Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross), which eliminated the need to collect petition signatures in order appear on the ballot. Such a bill would allow independent and "third party" candidates the same access to the ballot as their Republican and Democratic counterparts.
"Our focus is to make Georgia a better state," said Brett Bittner, the Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of Georgia. "We see these areas as places to accomplish that. Lower taxes, more choices, and smaller government are issues from which every Georgian can benefit, and we're working to achieve those objectives in our focused efforts this legislative session."
The Party also notes that they support the sale of alcohol on Sundays and oppose enacting the health care legislation, passed last year by the Federal Government, in Georgia.
The Libertarian Party is Georgia’s third largest political party and the only party in Georgia promoting fewer taxes, less government and personal liberty for all Georgians. To learn more, please visit www.LPGeorgia.com
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010
ACC: Senate Interior-EPA Appropriations Markup Must Postpone Greenhouse Gas Regulations
/PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee will mark up the Fiscal Year 2011 EPA-Interior spending bill. Today the American Chemistry Council and 23 other associations wrote to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee urging them to vote for an amendment that would postpone EPA's planned regulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from stationary sources. A letter was also sent to House Appropriators. The letters are available at www.americanchemistry.com/energy.
American Chemistry Council (ACC) President and CEO Cal Dooley issued the following statement:
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's planned regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources, slated to begin on January 2, 2011, is one of the top challenges facing American business today. Already, the uncertainty and cost associated with these new regulations is having a chilling effect on investment and job creation vital to the nation's recovery. Governors across the country are baffled as to the requirements for states and how to process and pay for the coming flood of permit applications. Energy efficiency investments that could help reduce GHG emissions are among those thrown into disarray by EPA's new regulations.
"That's why a cross-section of American industry and agriculture representing millions of U.S. jobs has asked Senate Appropriators to immediately postpone the regulations. A postponement amendment will give Congress the time necessary to consider the appropriate regulatory approach for stationary sources and move forward on a national climate policy. According to EPA, as many as six million U.S. industrial facilities, power plants, hospitals, agricultural and commercial establishments eventually will be subject to these rules. Proposed steps such as a codification of the 'tailoring rule' have not resolved the confusion nor provided needed certainty and will not protect the vast majority of American businesses affected by the rules.
"Postponing stationary source regulation should be an urgent priority for Congress. We strongly urge Senate Appropriators and other lawmakers to support efforts to postpone EPA regulation of GHG emissions from all stationary sources. This essential step could be achieved through the appropriations process or legislation such as that proposed by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Congressmen Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) and Rick Boucher (D-Va.)."
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American Chemistry Council (ACC) President and CEO Cal Dooley issued the following statement:
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's planned regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources, slated to begin on January 2, 2011, is one of the top challenges facing American business today. Already, the uncertainty and cost associated with these new regulations is having a chilling effect on investment and job creation vital to the nation's recovery. Governors across the country are baffled as to the requirements for states and how to process and pay for the coming flood of permit applications. Energy efficiency investments that could help reduce GHG emissions are among those thrown into disarray by EPA's new regulations.
"That's why a cross-section of American industry and agriculture representing millions of U.S. jobs has asked Senate Appropriators to immediately postpone the regulations. A postponement amendment will give Congress the time necessary to consider the appropriate regulatory approach for stationary sources and move forward on a national climate policy. According to EPA, as many as six million U.S. industrial facilities, power plants, hospitals, agricultural and commercial establishments eventually will be subject to these rules. Proposed steps such as a codification of the 'tailoring rule' have not resolved the confusion nor provided needed certainty and will not protect the vast majority of American businesses affected by the rules.
"Postponing stationary source regulation should be an urgent priority for Congress. We strongly urge Senate Appropriators and other lawmakers to support efforts to postpone EPA regulation of GHG emissions from all stationary sources. This essential step could be achieved through the appropriations process or legislation such as that proposed by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Congressmen Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) and Rick Boucher (D-Va.)."
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Boehner Statement on New Federal Deficit Projections
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement on the new federal deficit estimates released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Obama Administration’s Office of Management & Budget (OMB):
“Today’s reports confirm what the White House has been trying to hide: the Democrats’ out-of-control spending binge is burying our children and grandchildren under a mountain of unsustainable debt. Instead of putting the brakes on Washington’s spending habits as they promised they’d do, Democrats have stepped on the accelerator and spent taxpayer dollars with reckless abandon all year, refusing to make tough choices and putting all the sacrifice on future generations. That’s not leadership; it’s negligence.
“The costly government-run health care plan put forth by President Obama and Speaker Pelosi is just the latest in a long line of expensive Democratic experiments that will add to the deficit, raise taxes on families and small businesses, and cost more American jobs. It’s time for the Administration and congressional Democrats to face the consequences of this dangerous fiscal agenda and change course.
“Republicans have proposed better solutions to curb out-of-control spending and control the debt on behalf of middle-class families, including a fiscally-responsible federal budget that includes strict annual caps on federal spending and forces Congress to live within its means on a yearly basis, something the Democratic-controlled Congress has refused to do. Republicans are ready to work in a bipartisan way to get control of our budget. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, let’s hope this Administration and the Democrats in charge of this Congress are as well.”
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“Today’s reports confirm what the White House has been trying to hide: the Democrats’ out-of-control spending binge is burying our children and grandchildren under a mountain of unsustainable debt. Instead of putting the brakes on Washington’s spending habits as they promised they’d do, Democrats have stepped on the accelerator and spent taxpayer dollars with reckless abandon all year, refusing to make tough choices and putting all the sacrifice on future generations. That’s not leadership; it’s negligence.
“The costly government-run health care plan put forth by President Obama and Speaker Pelosi is just the latest in a long line of expensive Democratic experiments that will add to the deficit, raise taxes on families and small businesses, and cost more American jobs. It’s time for the Administration and congressional Democrats to face the consequences of this dangerous fiscal agenda and change course.
“Republicans have proposed better solutions to curb out-of-control spending and control the debt on behalf of middle-class families, including a fiscally-responsible federal budget that includes strict annual caps on federal spending and forces Congress to live within its means on a yearly basis, something the Democratic-controlled Congress has refused to do. Republicans are ready to work in a bipartisan way to get control of our budget. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, let’s hope this Administration and the Democrats in charge of this Congress are as well.”
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Sunday, April 12, 2009
Join in Rome's Tax Day Tea Party
Message from the Rome Tea Party team:
April 15 11:30 A.M.
Senator Chip Rogers, R-Powder Springs, GA.
11:30 a.m., Gather at Opi's Waterfront Grill parking lot , 112 W. 2nd Ave..
Enjoy the music and patriotic songs by our own "Buck and Duke." .
Participate in making signs or bring your own. .
11:50 Program begins. .
Open the program with Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem (sung by Rome's own Samantha Weekly).
Be inspired by featured speakers including great American citizens and young Americans who care about their country. Speakers include State Senator Preston Smith, House Representative Barry Loudermilk, Jared Thomas of Americans for Prosperity, Sherri Reese of Don't Go Movement and State Tea Party Coordinator, County Commissioners Eddie Lumsden and Irwin Bagwell, small businessmen Mel Funk and Randy Smith, our own local "Joe the Plumber's", and young men and women from around the county.
.Watch and enjoy the dumping of tea leaves from the John Ross Memorial Bridge into the Oostanaula River just as those great American patriots did in 1773. It was the beginning of a revolution.
.Enjoy live radio coverage including Joy Christian Radio Network
.1:15 p.m. Program ends.
.Stay at Opi's Waterfront Grill for "debriefing", networking, and idea sharing. Enjoy Opi's fine foods and the continuing music of "Buck and Duke".
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. --Edmund Burke
Where:
Opi's Waterfront Grill
112 West 2nd Avenue
Rome, GA 30161
Opi's is at the corner of West 2nd Avenue and West 1st Street. One block off Broad Street. By the Oostanaula River and in the historic old Battey Machinery Building. All roads lead to downtown Rome to Broad Street. Go south on Broad Street to 2nd Avenue. Parking will be tight but there is a new parking deck on West 1st Street at West 3rd Avenue. $1.00 per hour/ $5.00 per day. Another parking deck is at the corner on East 4th Avenue at the corner of Broad Street. A large new parking lot is on West 3rd Street at the west end of the John Ross Memorial Bridge (pedestrian bridge) its a quick and scenic walk across to the area of Opi's Waterfront Grill parking lot.
Maps: Go to www.maps.google.com and type Opi's Waterfront Grill into the Search block. Can also be found on www.mapquest.com Directions with Opi's Waterfront Grill 112 West 2nd Avenue Rome, GA 30161 typed into the Ending section.
Costs: Will have 500 small American flags for you. May charge 50 cents for them. May "pass the hat" for donations at your discretion. $1.00 to $10.00 or whatever you choose is fine. If you choose to write a check please make it to Mike Morton and memo it to Rome GA Tea Party. Sorry it has to be personal but we choose not to open a bank account.
Signs: Please make and bring your own signs if possible. We will have a limited number available and some facilities to make them. Poster board no larger than "36 X 36" is allowed. Wooden handles or any materials other than cardboard are not allowed by ordinance.
Costumes/Dress: Some folks will be wearing "revolutionary war" or Indian type attire. Remember the Boston Tea Party was the beginning of the Revolution with a few patriots dressed in Indian attire.
Volunteers: Please contact us if you wish to volunteer to help, to volunteer to speak, to have your child volunteer to speak, or to read from patriotic "Founding Father" quotes. We also need someone to do high quality video to insert on You Tube, web sites that are discussing the Tea Parties, and other venues.
Contact: For more information or to volunteer to help please contact: Mike Morton mikeofrome@yahoo.com 706.346.3400 or Layla Shipman laylas36@gmail.com 706.853.9014 or FaceBook page Rome Georgia Tea Party
Thanks and look forward to seeing you. Please say hello to me.....and all your new friends there. And oh yes, this goes without saying, but Be Nice just as you are. This is going to be a peaceful and respectful, but enthusiastic gathering. An American awakening.
April 15 11:30 A.M.
Senator Chip Rogers, R-Powder Springs, GA.
11:30 a.m., Gather at Opi's Waterfront Grill parking lot , 112 W. 2nd Ave..
Enjoy the music and patriotic songs by our own "Buck and Duke." .
Participate in making signs or bring your own. .
11:50 Program begins. .
Open the program with Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem (sung by Rome's own Samantha Weekly).
Be inspired by featured speakers including great American citizens and young Americans who care about their country. Speakers include State Senator Preston Smith, House Representative Barry Loudermilk, Jared Thomas of Americans for Prosperity, Sherri Reese of Don't Go Movement and State Tea Party Coordinator, County Commissioners Eddie Lumsden and Irwin Bagwell, small businessmen Mel Funk and Randy Smith, our own local "Joe the Plumber's", and young men and women from around the county.
.Watch and enjoy the dumping of tea leaves from the John Ross Memorial Bridge into the Oostanaula River just as those great American patriots did in 1773. It was the beginning of a revolution.
.Enjoy live radio coverage including Joy Christian Radio Network
.1:15 p.m. Program ends.
.Stay at Opi's Waterfront Grill for "debriefing", networking, and idea sharing. Enjoy Opi's fine foods and the continuing music of "Buck and Duke".
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. --Edmund Burke
Where:
Opi's Waterfront Grill
112 West 2nd Avenue
Rome, GA 30161
Opi's is at the corner of West 2nd Avenue and West 1st Street. One block off Broad Street. By the Oostanaula River and in the historic old Battey Machinery Building. All roads lead to downtown Rome to Broad Street. Go south on Broad Street to 2nd Avenue. Parking will be tight but there is a new parking deck on West 1st Street at West 3rd Avenue. $1.00 per hour/ $5.00 per day. Another parking deck is at the corner on East 4th Avenue at the corner of Broad Street. A large new parking lot is on West 3rd Street at the west end of the John Ross Memorial Bridge (pedestrian bridge) its a quick and scenic walk across to the area of Opi's Waterfront Grill parking lot.
Maps: Go to www.maps.google.com and type Opi's Waterfront Grill into the Search block. Can also be found on www.mapquest.com Directions with Opi's Waterfront Grill 112 West 2nd Avenue Rome, GA 30161 typed into the Ending section.
Costs: Will have 500 small American flags for you. May charge 50 cents for them. May "pass the hat" for donations at your discretion. $1.00 to $10.00 or whatever you choose is fine. If you choose to write a check please make it to Mike Morton and memo it to Rome GA Tea Party. Sorry it has to be personal but we choose not to open a bank account.
Signs: Please make and bring your own signs if possible. We will have a limited number available and some facilities to make them. Poster board no larger than "36 X 36" is allowed. Wooden handles or any materials other than cardboard are not allowed by ordinance.
Costumes/Dress: Some folks will be wearing "revolutionary war" or Indian type attire. Remember the Boston Tea Party was the beginning of the Revolution with a few patriots dressed in Indian attire.
Volunteers: Please contact us if you wish to volunteer to help, to volunteer to speak, to have your child volunteer to speak, or to read from patriotic "Founding Father" quotes. We also need someone to do high quality video to insert on You Tube, web sites that are discussing the Tea Parties, and other venues.
Contact: For more information or to volunteer to help please contact: Mike Morton mikeofrome@yahoo.com 706.346.3400 or Layla Shipman laylas36@gmail.com 706.853.9014 or FaceBook page Rome Georgia Tea Party
Thanks and look forward to seeing you. Please say hello to me.....and all your new friends there. And oh yes, this goes without saying, but Be Nice just as you are. This is going to be a peaceful and respectful, but enthusiastic gathering. An American awakening.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Atlanta Tea Party Info
Where and When? Atlanta State Capitol 206 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30334-9007 , Recommended Arrival time 6-7 p.m.
What to expect at the Tea Party? The purpose is to let Congress and the President know there are many, many Americans across the country that are fed up with bailouts, large budgets, and high taxes. The way the rally will help us achieve this purpose is by having multiple events happening across the country on the same day. Currently there are 245 events planned and more are being added. By having so many people gather across the country hammering home the exact same messages, it will get Media coverage and Congress will see that there are everyday, ordinary citizens who are fed up with fiscal irresponsibility. There will be protesters with signs promoting our message. We will also have a line up of speakers including everyday citizens, event organizers, and elected officials. Sean Hannity, host of Fox News Hannity’s America, will broadcast live from the event.
Is there a webpage for the Atlanta Tea Party? www.Atlantateaparty.net
Why is the Tea Party in downtown and not in the suburbs? To send this message loud and clear we need to have excellent media coverage and very large crowds across the country. The message to be sent to Washington is to “cut the pork and repeal taxes”. If there are 1,000 people in downtown and a few hundred at each event in various metro counties, we will not have the same impact or the same media coverage as we will if we have several thousand people in one place for the media to take photos and video.
Is there carpooling available? Carpooling is provided on a voluntarily basis within neighborhood groups and friends although it is recommended that Marta be utilized as it goes right to the capitol. Due to time constraints, there will not be a kickoff party in Fayette county as many will be working around busy schedules to attend the tea party. The most efficient transportation methods are Shannon Mall park and ride or the College Park Marta station.
Is there something planned for those who work? In Fayette County, the arrival time being between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. will allow those wishing to attend the time to do so.
Do you need donations? How can I give money? Thank you for your generosity. Go to the Atlanta Tea Party website(http://atlantateaparty.net) and click on the Donate Button on the sidebar on the right of the screen. Donations will be used to pay for staging, screens, projectors, banners, and other details necessary for the event.
Is there anywhere I can purchase Atlanta Tea Party merchandise? We are adding an Atlanta Tea Party store to the website shortly. Please check http://atlantateaparty.net for a link to the store.
I would like to be included in the planning of the Tea Party. How can I be included? How can I volunteer? While the Nationwide Tea Party Movement has official sponsors and City Chairmen, this is a grassroots movement. Any thoughts, concerns, or suggestions you have will be considered and addressed. Please email those to us or call me directly (404-326-0936). Additionally, we have weekly conference calls on Monday nights at 7:30 to discuss the planning of the events and for attendees to volunteer for various tasks. If you are able to attend the conference call, please email me with RSVP Monday 7:30 in the subject line and I will send you the call in phone number.
What speakers are lined up? Currently, there are 4 confirmed speakers including: Congressman Tom Price; Dave Ryan, President of American Solutions; Joel Aaron, host of Sound Bytes on WGKA 920 AM; and Eric von Haessler, co-host of the Regular Guys on Rock 100.5. As additional speakers are lined up, we will add them to the website (http://atlantateaparty.net).
What should we put on protest signs for the event? We will be listing sign suggestions on our websit (http://atlantateaparty.net) shortly. If you have additional suggestions, you can add them to the comments under that particular post. Protest signs that are not in line with theme of the event will be asked to be removed at the demonstration. Such signs include but not limited to: campaigning, racially inappropriate slogans, anything that suggests violence or unlawful activity, and/or partisan slogans.
How can I volunteer?I do not have much time to volunteer before the event. What small thing can I do to help right now? There are several small things you can do to help with the Atlanta Tea Party. Send an email out to all your like minded friends, family, and neighbors inviting them to attend the Tea Party with you. You direct them to the Atlanta Tea Party (http://atlantateaparty.net) website for up to date details. Use shoe polish to paint you car windows with the atlantateaparty.net. This way people you pass on the street know about the website. Purchase a t-shirt from our store (http://atlantateaparty.net) and wear it as you run errands.
Are there additional events planned after April 15th? Are there going to be any Tea Parties on a Saturday There are tentatively 10 total Tea Parties that will take place between February, 2009 and Election Day, 2010 but that is not set in stone. You can go to TeaPartyPatriots.ning.com to answer questions about your vision for the Nationwide Tea Party movement.
Jenny Beth Martin
Nationwide Tea Party Movement,
Strategic Visioning Committee
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
RNC: 50 Days: No Golden Anniversary
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Republican National Committee:
In 50 Days, Democrats Have Passed And Proposed Roughly $5 Trillion In Government Spending:
President Obama Proposed Spending Between $3.5 And $4 Trillion In His FY2010 Budget. "Obama's budget overview will call for between $3.5 trillion and $4 trillion in spending in fiscal year 2010 and creates space for up to $750 billion in additional bank bailout funds this year - money that hasn't been requested and the administration hopes will not be necessary to stabilize the still-reeling financial system." (Major Garrett, "Obama's Budget Projects $1.75 Trillion Deficit," FoxNews.com, www.foxnews.com, 2/26/09)
Last Month, President Obama Signed The $787 Billion Economic Stimulus Package. "The $787 billion stimulus bill that President Barack Obama signed Tuesday was a warm-up act, an emergency provision aimed at stimulating a moribund economy." (David Lightman and Margaret Talev, "How Much Government Spending Is Ahead? Stay Tuned," The Miami Herald, 2/20/09)
Democrats In The House Passed A $410 Billion Omnibus Spending Bill. "The U.S. House voted to boost spending on domestic programs by 8 percent, ease restrictions on travel to Cuba and kill a school voucher program in Washington, D.C., as part of a $410 billion spending bill." (Brian Faler, "House Approves $410 Billion 'Omnibus' Spending Bill," Bloomberg, 2/25/09)
President Obama Announced A $275 Billion Plan To Stave Off Foreclosures. "After a week dominated by programs that involve spending -- in addition to the stimulus package, the plan to stave off foreclosures could cost taxpayers as much as $275 billion -- Mr. Obama used his weekly radio and Internet address to chart the immediate road ahead." (Sheryl Gay Stolberg, "Obama Pledges To Seek Deficit Cuts," The New York Times, 2/21/09)
OBAMA SNUBBED THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER
President Obama's Handling Of The British Prime Minister's Trip To The U.S. Was "Appalling":
During British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's American Trip, He Presented President Obama With A Priceless Pen Holder; Obama Reciprocated With 25 DVDs. "After Brown presented Obama with a pen holder crafted from the timbers of the 19th century British warship HMS President (whose sister ship, HMS Resolute, provided the wood for the Oval Office's desk), Obama offered up ... 25 DVDs of American movie classics." (David Saltonstall, "London Aghast At President Obama Over Gifts Given To Prime Minister Brown," [New York] Daily News, 3/7/09)
President Obama's Handling Of Brown's Visit: "Appalling." "His handling of the visit of the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to Washington was appalling." (Iain Martin, "President Barack Obama Dislikes Britain, But He's Keen To Meet The Queen," The [UK] Daily Telegraph's "Iain Martin" Blog, www.telegraph.co.uk, 3/6/09)
Originally, Brown Was Not Granted A Press Conference, Then One Was Thrown Together At The Last Minute. "First Brown wasn't granted a press conference with flags, then one was hastily arranged in the Oval office after the Brits had to beg. Obama looked like he would rather have been anywhere else than welcoming the British leader to his office and topped it all with his choice of present (*) for the PM." (Iain Martin, "President Barack Obama Dislikes Britain, But He's Keen To Meet The Queen," The [UK] Daily Telegraph's "Iain Martin" Blog, www.telegraph.co.uk, 3/6/09)
OBAMA HAS HAD ISSUES STAFFING HIS ADMINISTRATION
President Obama Has Had Difficulties Appointing People To Fill Top Positions In His Administration:
Seven Weeks After Inauguration, President Obama Still Has To Fill Hundreds Of Senior Level Positions In The Executive Branch. "Nearly seven weeks after taking office, President Barack Obama has a Cabinet, but hundreds of other senior-level jobs across the executive branch lack permanent occupants." (Dave Helling, "Across Nation's Capital, Vacant Offices Abound," The Kansas City Star, 3/8/09)
"But Mr. Obama Lost Four Nominees To Tax And Other Issues And The Pace Of Appointments Slowed." (Peter Baker, "Obama Team Has Billions To Spend, But Few Ready To Do It," The New York Times, 2/17/09)
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner Failed To Pay Taxes While Working For The International Monetary Fund. "Timothy Geithner didn't pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for several years while he worked for the International Monetary Fund, and he employed an immigrant housekeeper who briefly lacked proper work papers." (Jonathan Weisman, "Geithner's Tax History Muddles Confirmation," The Wall Street Journal, 1/14/09)
Health And Human Services Secretary Nominee Tom Daschle Withdrew His Nomination After Reports That He Had Failed To Pay Taxes. "Former Sen. Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a statement Tuesday from the White House. ... Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, apologized Monday for failing to pay his taxes in full. He said earlier he was 'deeply embarrassed' for a series of errors that included failing to report $15,000 in charitable donations, unreported car service and more than $80,000 in unreported income from consulting." (Ed Henry and Kristi Keck, "Daschle Withdraws As HHS Nominee," CNN, 2/3/09)
Nancy Killefer Withdrew Her Nomination For Tax Problems Dating Back To 1995. "They knew about Nancy Killefer's tax problem from 1995, yet they nominated her for a post in the office of management and budget anyway. This morning she withdrew." (Sam Donaldson, Op-Ed, "Sam On What Nominees' Withdrawal Says About Obama," ABC News, 2/3/09)
Commerce Secretary Nominee Bill Richardson Withdrew His Nomination After Reports That State Contracts In New Mexico Were Under Investigation. "First, they knew about Gov. Bill Richardson's potential problem in the New Mexico investigation into state contracts, but they nominated him to be commerce secretary anyway. Weeks later, of course, Richardson withdrew." (Sam Donaldson, Op-Ed, "Sam On What Nominees' Withdrawal Says About Obama," ABC News, 2/3/09)
During The Campaign, Obama Said Lobbyists Wouldn't Run His White House Or Work For Agencies They Used To Lobby:
During His Campaign, President Obama Promised To "Stop The Revolving Door That Lets Onetime Lobbyists Go To Work For The Federal Government." "[O]n the campaign trail, Obama vowed to stop the revolving door that lets onetime lobbyists go to work for the Federal Government and oversee contracts that could harm -- or help -- their former employer." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)
President Obama Signed An Executive Order Banning Lobbyists From Working For Agencies They Used To Lobby. "And one of the first things the new President did in office was seemingly make good on that promise, signing an Executive Order barring former lobbyists from joining his Administration to work at agencies they recently lobbied." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)
But President Obama Has Appointed Numerous Former Lobbyists:
President Obama Has Appointed At Least 21 Former Federal Registered Lobbyists, Including Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "A USA TODAY review of Obama hires shows that 21 have registered as federal lobbyists, although most have not done so within the past two years. They include White House aide Cecilia Munoz, who lobbied last year for the National Council of La Raza, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who lobbied in 2007 for a national teachers union." (Fredreka Schouten, "Geithner Names Ex-Lobbyist As Treasury Chief Of Staff," USA-region> Today, 1/27/09)
OBAMA HAS FAILED ON EARMARK REFORM
President Obama Promised To Slash Earmarks And Stop Wasteful Spending:
President Obama Pledged To "Slash Earmarks." "Slash Earmarks: ... In the past two years, the Democratic Congress has cut earmarks nearly in half, to $17.2 billion in 2008. Obama and Biden are committed to returning earmarks to less than $7.8 billion a year." (Obama For America, Blueprint For Change, www.barackobama.com, p. 20, Accessed 2/19/09)
During The Campaign, President Obama Pledged To "Go Line By Line" And "Eliminate Programs That Don't Work." Obama: "I want to go line by line through every item in the federal budget and eliminate programs that don't work, and make sure that those that do work work better and cheaper." (Sen. Barack Obama, NBC Presidential Debate, Nashville, TN, 10/7/08)
-- Obama: "Earmarks account for 0.5 percent of the total federal budget.
There's no doubt that the system needs reform and there are a lot of
screwy things that we end up spending money on, and they need to be
eliminated. But it's not going to solve the problem." (Sen. Barack
Obama, CNN Presidential Debate, Hofstra University, New York,
10/15/08)
But President Obama Signed An Economic Stimulus Package Full Of Wasteful Spending And Democrats Are Pushing A $410 Omnibus With More Than $7 Billion In Earmarks:
Despite Promises, The Stimulus Is Not Free Of Money For Special Interests. "The compromise stimulus bill adopted by House and Senate negotiators this week is not free of spending that benefits specific communities, industries or groups, despite vows by President Obama that the legislation would be kept clear of pet projects, according to lawmakers, legislative aides and anti-tax groups." (Dan Eggen and Ellen Nakashima, "Despite Pledges, Package Has Some Pork," The Washington Post, 2/13/09)
The Senate Is Working On The $410 Billion Omnibus Spending Bill That Contains 8,750 Earmarks Worth $7.7 Billion. "The Senate is getting ready to pass a giant spending bill stuffed with congressional pet projects that critics decry as unnecessary pork. ... They point to stiff resistance from Democratic leaders and Obama's reluctance to veto the pending $410 billion legislation as signs that business will continue as usual. The 8,570 earmarks in the bill represent $7.7 billion, according to the nonpartisan group Taxpayers for Common Sense." (Dan Nowicki, "Earmark-Laden Bill A Line In The Sand For Pork-Barrel Politics," The Arizona Republic, 3/6/09)
DEMOCRATS HAVE FAILED TO BRING BIPARTISANSHIP TO WASHINGTON
President Obama Said Political Opponents Should Work Together Instead Of Demonize Each Other:
Obama Derided Partisan Politics And Said Political Opponents Should Come Together To Solve Problems. "A politics that says it's ok to demonize your political opponents when we should be coming together to solve problems." (Sen. Barack Obama, Response To The State Of The Union, 1/28/08)
"Obama Has Said He Plans To Work With Republicans To Cut Through Partisan Gridlock That Often Blocks Legislative Progress."(Sabrina Eaton, "Ohioan An Early Obama Critic," [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, 1/29/09)
But In President Obama's Washington, Democrats Have Hardly Come Together With Republicans:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): We Won The Election, We Wrote The Bill. "Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) parried GOP assaults on Democrats' $825 billion stimulus package Thursday and refused to slow the bill down to give more time for Republican input. 'Yes, we wrote the bill. Yes we won the election, but that doesn't mean we don't want sustainability or Republican support,' Pelosi said." (Steven T. Dennis, "Pelosi Defends Democrats' Vetting Of Stimulus Plan," Roll Call, 1/22/09)
Democrats Rolled Over House Republicans And "Yielded No More Than Necessary" In The Senate To Pass The Stimulus Package. "In the case of the stimulus bill, Democrats used their solid majority to roll over House Republicans and yielded no more than necessary to garner three critical GOP votes in the Senate." (Janet Hook, "Bipartisanship Faces Stiff Test," Chicago Tribune, 2/16/09)
For President Obama, "Urgency Trumps Bipartisanship." "But with the economy in crisis and the stimulus his top priority, [President Obama] also made clear that urgency trumps bipartisanship." (Todd J. Gillman, "Selling The Stimulus Bill President Discovering That Bipartisanship Has Its Limits," The Dallas Morning News, 2/10/09)
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED ON TRANSPARENCY
President Obama Pledged Transparency And Openness Before Signing Legislation:
During The Campaign, President Obama Promised To Give The American Public 5 Days To Review Legislation Before Signing Any Bill. "Sunlight Before Signing: Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity to review them. As president, Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days." (Obama For America Website, www.barackobama.com, Accessed 2/19/09)
But The Obama Administration Has Failed To Allow The Public 5 Days To Review Legislation It Has Signed:
According To The Nonpartisan PolitiFact, President Obama Did Not Provide 5 Days Before Signing His First Bill, The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. "But the first bill Obama signed into law as president -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- got no such vetting. In fact, the Congressional Record shows that the law was passed in the Senate on Jan. 22, 2009, passed in the House on Jan. 27, and signed by the president on Jan. 29. So only two days passed between the bill's final passage and the signing." (Angie Drobnic Holan, "Obama Signs First Law Without Web Comment," St. Petersburg Times' "PolitiFact," www.politifact.com, 1/29/09)
President Obama's Second Bill Signing Occurred Hours After Passed By Congress. "For his second bill, Obama signed an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health coverage for low-income children. He signed it on Feb. 4, 2009, just hours after it was finalized in Congress." (Angie Drobnic Holan, "Still No 'Sunlight Before Signing,'" St. Petersburg Times' "PolitiFact," www.politifact.com, 2/4/09)
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www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
In 50 Days, Democrats Have Passed And Proposed Roughly $5 Trillion In Government Spending:
President Obama Proposed Spending Between $3.5 And $4 Trillion In His FY2010 Budget. "Obama's budget overview will call for between $3.5 trillion and $4 trillion in spending in fiscal year 2010 and creates space for up to $750 billion in additional bank bailout funds this year - money that hasn't been requested and the administration hopes will not be necessary to stabilize the still-reeling financial system." (Major Garrett, "Obama's Budget Projects $1.75 Trillion Deficit," FoxNews.com, www.foxnews.com, 2/26/09)
Last Month, President Obama Signed The $787 Billion Economic Stimulus Package. "The $787 billion stimulus bill that President Barack Obama signed Tuesday was a warm-up act, an emergency provision aimed at stimulating a moribund economy." (David Lightman and Margaret Talev, "How Much Government Spending Is Ahead? Stay Tuned," The Miami Herald, 2/20/09)
Democrats In The House Passed A $410 Billion Omnibus Spending Bill. "The U.S. House voted to boost spending on domestic programs by 8 percent, ease restrictions on travel to Cuba and kill a school voucher program in Washington, D.C., as part of a $410 billion spending bill." (Brian Faler, "House Approves $410 Billion 'Omnibus' Spending Bill," Bloomberg, 2/25/09)
President Obama Announced A $275 Billion Plan To Stave Off Foreclosures. "After a week dominated by programs that involve spending -- in addition to the stimulus package, the plan to stave off foreclosures could cost taxpayers as much as $275 billion -- Mr. Obama used his weekly radio and Internet address to chart the immediate road ahead." (Sheryl Gay Stolberg, "Obama Pledges To Seek Deficit Cuts," The New York Times, 2/21/09)
OBAMA SNUBBED THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER
President Obama's Handling Of The British Prime Minister's Trip To The U.S. Was "Appalling":
During British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's American Trip, He Presented President Obama With A Priceless Pen Holder; Obama Reciprocated With 25 DVDs. "After Brown presented Obama with a pen holder crafted from the timbers of the 19th century British warship HMS President (whose sister ship, HMS Resolute, provided the wood for the Oval Office's desk), Obama offered up ... 25 DVDs of American movie classics." (David Saltonstall, "London Aghast At President Obama Over Gifts Given To Prime Minister Brown," [New York] Daily News, 3/7/09)
President Obama's Handling Of Brown's Visit: "Appalling." "His handling of the visit of the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to Washington was appalling." (Iain Martin, "President Barack Obama Dislikes Britain, But He's Keen To Meet The Queen," The [UK] Daily Telegraph's "Iain Martin" Blog, www.telegraph.co.uk, 3/6/09)
Originally, Brown Was Not Granted A Press Conference, Then One Was Thrown Together At The Last Minute. "First Brown wasn't granted a press conference with flags, then one was hastily arranged in the Oval office after the Brits had to beg. Obama looked like he would rather have been anywhere else than welcoming the British leader to his office and topped it all with his choice of present (*) for the PM." (Iain Martin, "President Barack Obama Dislikes Britain, But He's Keen To Meet The Queen," The [UK] Daily Telegraph's "Iain Martin" Blog, www.telegraph.co.uk, 3/6/09)
OBAMA HAS HAD ISSUES STAFFING HIS ADMINISTRATION
President Obama Has Had Difficulties Appointing People To Fill Top Positions In His Administration:
Seven Weeks After Inauguration, President Obama Still Has To Fill Hundreds Of Senior Level Positions In The Executive Branch. "Nearly seven weeks after taking office, President Barack Obama has a Cabinet, but hundreds of other senior-level jobs across the executive branch lack permanent occupants." (Dave Helling, "Across Nation's Capital, Vacant Offices Abound," The Kansas City Star, 3/8/09)
"But Mr. Obama Lost Four Nominees To Tax And Other Issues And The Pace Of Appointments Slowed." (Peter Baker, "Obama Team Has Billions To Spend, But Few Ready To Do It," The New York Times, 2/17/09)
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner Failed To Pay Taxes While Working For The International Monetary Fund. "Timothy Geithner didn't pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for several years while he worked for the International Monetary Fund, and he employed an immigrant housekeeper who briefly lacked proper work papers." (Jonathan Weisman, "Geithner's Tax History Muddles Confirmation," The Wall Street Journal, 1/14/09)
Health And Human Services Secretary Nominee Tom Daschle Withdrew His Nomination After Reports That He Had Failed To Pay Taxes. "Former Sen. Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a statement Tuesday from the White House. ... Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, apologized Monday for failing to pay his taxes in full. He said earlier he was 'deeply embarrassed' for a series of errors that included failing to report $15,000 in charitable donations, unreported car service and more than $80,000 in unreported income from consulting." (Ed Henry and Kristi Keck, "Daschle Withdraws As HHS Nominee," CNN, 2/3/09)
Nancy Killefer Withdrew Her Nomination For Tax Problems Dating Back To 1995. "They knew about Nancy Killefer's tax problem from 1995, yet they nominated her for a post in the office of management and budget anyway. This morning she withdrew." (Sam Donaldson, Op-Ed, "Sam On What Nominees' Withdrawal Says About Obama," ABC News, 2/3/09)
Commerce Secretary Nominee Bill Richardson Withdrew His Nomination After Reports That State Contracts In New Mexico Were Under Investigation. "First, they knew about Gov. Bill Richardson's potential problem in the New Mexico investigation into state contracts, but they nominated him to be commerce secretary anyway. Weeks later, of course, Richardson withdrew." (Sam Donaldson, Op-Ed, "Sam On What Nominees' Withdrawal Says About Obama," ABC News, 2/3/09)
During The Campaign, Obama Said Lobbyists Wouldn't Run His White House Or Work For Agencies They Used To Lobby:
During His Campaign, President Obama Promised To "Stop The Revolving Door That Lets Onetime Lobbyists Go To Work For The Federal Government." "[O]n the campaign trail, Obama vowed to stop the revolving door that lets onetime lobbyists go to work for the Federal Government and oversee contracts that could harm -- or help -- their former employer." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)
President Obama Signed An Executive Order Banning Lobbyists From Working For Agencies They Used To Lobby. "And one of the first things the new President did in office was seemingly make good on that promise, signing an Executive Order barring former lobbyists from joining his Administration to work at agencies they recently lobbied." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)
But President Obama Has Appointed Numerous Former Lobbyists:
President Obama Has Appointed At Least 21 Former Federal Registered Lobbyists, Including Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "A USA TODAY review of Obama hires shows that 21 have registered as federal lobbyists, although most have not done so within the past two years. They include White House aide Cecilia Munoz, who lobbied last year for the National Council of La Raza, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who lobbied in 2007 for a national teachers union." (Fredreka Schouten, "Geithner Names Ex-Lobbyist As Treasury Chief Of Staff," USA-region> Today, 1/27/09)
OBAMA HAS FAILED ON EARMARK REFORM
President Obama Promised To Slash Earmarks And Stop Wasteful Spending:
President Obama Pledged To "Slash Earmarks." "Slash Earmarks: ... In the past two years, the Democratic Congress has cut earmarks nearly in half, to $17.2 billion in 2008. Obama and Biden are committed to returning earmarks to less than $7.8 billion a year." (Obama For America, Blueprint For Change, www.barackobama.com, p. 20, Accessed 2/19/09)
During The Campaign, President Obama Pledged To "Go Line By Line" And "Eliminate Programs That Don't Work." Obama: "I want to go line by line through every item in the federal budget and eliminate programs that don't work, and make sure that those that do work work better and cheaper." (Sen. Barack Obama, NBC Presidential Debate, Nashville, TN, 10/7/08)
-- Obama: "Earmarks account for 0.5 percent of the total federal budget.
There's no doubt that the system needs reform and there are a lot of
screwy things that we end up spending money on, and they need to be
eliminated. But it's not going to solve the problem." (Sen. Barack
Obama, CNN Presidential Debate, Hofstra University, New York,
10/15/08)
But President Obama Signed An Economic Stimulus Package Full Of Wasteful Spending And Democrats Are Pushing A $410 Omnibus With More Than $7 Billion In Earmarks:
Despite Promises, The Stimulus Is Not Free Of Money For Special Interests. "The compromise stimulus bill adopted by House and Senate negotiators this week is not free of spending that benefits specific communities, industries or groups, despite vows by President Obama that the legislation would be kept clear of pet projects, according to lawmakers, legislative aides and anti-tax groups." (Dan Eggen and Ellen Nakashima, "Despite Pledges, Package Has Some Pork," The Washington Post, 2/13/09)
The Senate Is Working On The $410 Billion Omnibus Spending Bill That Contains 8,750 Earmarks Worth $7.7 Billion. "The Senate is getting ready to pass a giant spending bill stuffed with congressional pet projects that critics decry as unnecessary pork. ... They point to stiff resistance from Democratic leaders and Obama's reluctance to veto the pending $410 billion legislation as signs that business will continue as usual. The 8,570 earmarks in the bill represent $7.7 billion, according to the nonpartisan group Taxpayers for Common Sense." (Dan Nowicki, "Earmark-Laden Bill A Line In The Sand For Pork-Barrel Politics," The Arizona Republic, 3/6/09)
DEMOCRATS HAVE FAILED TO BRING BIPARTISANSHIP TO WASHINGTON
President Obama Said Political Opponents Should Work Together Instead Of Demonize Each Other:
Obama Derided Partisan Politics And Said Political Opponents Should Come Together To Solve Problems. "A politics that says it's ok to demonize your political opponents when we should be coming together to solve problems." (Sen. Barack Obama, Response To The State Of The Union, 1/28/08)
"Obama Has Said He Plans To Work With Republicans To Cut Through Partisan Gridlock That Often Blocks Legislative Progress."(Sabrina Eaton, "Ohioan An Early Obama Critic," [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, 1/29/09)
But In President Obama's Washington, Democrats Have Hardly Come Together With Republicans:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): We Won The Election, We Wrote The Bill. "Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) parried GOP assaults on Democrats' $825 billion stimulus package Thursday and refused to slow the bill down to give more time for Republican input. 'Yes, we wrote the bill. Yes we won the election, but that doesn't mean we don't want sustainability or Republican support,' Pelosi said." (Steven T. Dennis, "Pelosi Defends Democrats' Vetting Of Stimulus Plan," Roll Call, 1/22/09)
Democrats Rolled Over House Republicans And "Yielded No More Than Necessary" In The Senate To Pass The Stimulus Package. "In the case of the stimulus bill, Democrats used their solid majority to roll over House Republicans and yielded no more than necessary to garner three critical GOP votes in the Senate." (Janet Hook, "Bipartisanship Faces Stiff Test," Chicago Tribune, 2/16/09)
For President Obama, "Urgency Trumps Bipartisanship." "But with the economy in crisis and the stimulus his top priority, [President Obama] also made clear that urgency trumps bipartisanship." (Todd J. Gillman, "Selling The Stimulus Bill President Discovering That Bipartisanship Has Its Limits," The Dallas Morning News, 2/10/09)
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED ON TRANSPARENCY
President Obama Pledged Transparency And Openness Before Signing Legislation:
During The Campaign, President Obama Promised To Give The American Public 5 Days To Review Legislation Before Signing Any Bill. "Sunlight Before Signing: Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity to review them. As president, Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days." (Obama For America Website, www.barackobama.com, Accessed 2/19/09)
But The Obama Administration Has Failed To Allow The Public 5 Days To Review Legislation It Has Signed:
According To The Nonpartisan PolitiFact, President Obama Did Not Provide 5 Days Before Signing His First Bill, The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. "But the first bill Obama signed into law as president -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- got no such vetting. In fact, the Congressional Record shows that the law was passed in the Senate on Jan. 22, 2009, passed in the House on Jan. 27, and signed by the president on Jan. 29. So only two days passed between the bill's final passage and the signing." (Angie Drobnic Holan, "Obama Signs First Law Without Web Comment," St. Petersburg Times' "PolitiFact," www.politifact.com, 1/29/09)
President Obama's Second Bill Signing Occurred Hours After Passed By Congress. "For his second bill, Obama signed an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health coverage for low-income children. He signed it on Feb. 4, 2009, just hours after it was finalized in Congress." (Angie Drobnic Holan, "Still No 'Sunlight Before Signing,'" St. Petersburg Times' "PolitiFact," www.politifact.com, 2/4/09)
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Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Boehner: Geithner, Orszag Must Answer Important Questions About Administration’s Plans to Raise Taxes During a Recession
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) yesterday released the following statement as Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag testify this morning before the House Ways & Means and Budget Committees:
“American families and small businesses know we cannot afford more taxes, more spending, and more debt amid this increasingly-severe recession, and they deserve real answers from Secretary Geithner and Director Orszag today. How can the Administration justify a trillion-dollar tax hike on families, seniors, and small businesses during a recession? With our nation’s economy in a tailspin, who will pay for the big government spending spree proposed in the Administration’s budget? During this unprecedented economic turmoil, why does the President plan to sign into law the nearly half-trillion spending bill making its way through Congress, even though it is loaded with some 9,000 airdropped earmarks and includes the biggest discretionary spending increase since the Carter Administration?
“With a deepening recession and growing uncertainty among middle-class families about their jobs and nest eggs, the American people are looking to both parties in Washington for real leadership during times of economic crisis. That is precisely why we should be working together on a responsible budget that helps our economy recover without piling more debt on future generations.”
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“American families and small businesses know we cannot afford more taxes, more spending, and more debt amid this increasingly-severe recession, and they deserve real answers from Secretary Geithner and Director Orszag today. How can the Administration justify a trillion-dollar tax hike on families, seniors, and small businesses during a recession? With our nation’s economy in a tailspin, who will pay for the big government spending spree proposed in the Administration’s budget? During this unprecedented economic turmoil, why does the President plan to sign into law the nearly half-trillion spending bill making its way through Congress, even though it is loaded with some 9,000 airdropped earmarks and includes the biggest discretionary spending increase since the Carter Administration?
“With a deepening recession and growing uncertainty among middle-class families about their jobs and nest eggs, the American people are looking to both parties in Washington for real leadership during times of economic crisis. That is precisely why we should be working together on a responsible budget that helps our economy recover without piling more debt on future generations.”
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Friday, February 13, 2009
Boehner: Dems' Trillion-Dollar Spending Bill Rations Health Care, Guts Welfare Reform, Raises Energy Costs
Dems' Trillion-Dollar Spending Bill Rations Health Care, Guts Welfare Reform, Raises Energy Costs
Though no one – aside from a few senior Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill – has actually seen the final trillion-dollar spending bill set for House and Senate votes later this week, some details about the legislation are emerging … and they aren’t pretty. For starters, the bill is loaded with unfocused Washington spending – like money for plug-in cars, funding for education on sexually-transmitted diseases, and $2 billion for a fund available to the scandal-plagued Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) – and leaves behind critical tax relief for middle-class families and small businesses......
http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=111214
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Though no one – aside from a few senior Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill – has actually seen the final trillion-dollar spending bill set for House and Senate votes later this week, some details about the legislation are emerging … and they aren’t pretty. For starters, the bill is loaded with unfocused Washington spending – like money for plug-in cars, funding for education on sexually-transmitted diseases, and $2 billion for a fund available to the scandal-plagued Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) – and leaves behind critical tax relief for middle-class families and small businesses......
http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=111214
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Thursday, January 8, 2009
Without Large-Scale Recovery Package, Economy Could Shut Down, Economists Tell Lawmakers
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A large scale economic recovery package is needed to create jobs quickly, provide relief for workers and families, help states facing severe budget shortfalls, and invest in innovation and emerging industries, a bipartisan panel of economic experts and scientists told lawmakers on Capitol Hill January 7. Economists warned that, unless comprehensive action is taken, the economy will shed another 3 million jobs in 2009, real Gross Domestic Product could drop by $750 billion, and the unemployment rate will top 10 percent.
The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, along with House committee chairs, convened the forum in the first days of the 111th Congress to brief lawmakers on the latest economic outlook and components that should be included in the upcoming economic recovery package.
"We must pass an economic recovery and jobs package no later than mid-February, in my view," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). "This forum will demonstrate to the American public the need for this job and economic recovery package. We look forward working in the days ahead with our President-elect so we have legislation before we observe President's Day this year."
"Economists across the board agree that innovative strategies to create jobs and invest in our future are the only way to revive and grow our economy - and that workers and families can't afford to wait," said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the co-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee and the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. "If we act swiftly and make wise decisions, we can tackle many challenges at once: rebuilding our economy and the middle class, improving our infrastructure and energy-independence, and regaining the competitive edge that will fuel discovery and opportunity for generations to come."
"We are holding this extraordinary hearing because of extraordinary times; indeed, we are convening as the economy falls deeper into crisis. We are shedding jobs at a staggering rate, retirement accounts are draining, the housing market has collapsed, the financial market is in turmoil, and the credit markets are nearly frozen. A crisis requires more than the band-aid of past efforts, but rather, we must act boldly to get our economy back to sustained job and income growth," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), the co-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. "This forum today brought together a broad spectrum of economists and scientists who agree that we need to move quickly with a significant economic recovery package."
"This economy is shutting down," said Dr. Mark M. Zandi, the chief economist and cofounder of Moody's Economy.com, who predicted that the economy stands to lose 500,000 jobs a month for the foreseeable future. While both spending and tax cuts should be including in a package, spending provides a higher rate of return than tax cuts. Each dollar spent yields a return of $1.50 in economic growth; while each dollar in tax cuts yields $1 return.
"In my view, the goals of the economic recovery plan should be to strengthen traditional safety nets; increase purchasing power, especially among the bottom half; create as many new jobs as quickly as possible; get the long-term unemployed and the poor into many of those jobs," said Robert B. Reich, a Secretary of Labor under the Clinton administration and a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, who estimated that a stimulus of at least $900 billion over two years is needed. "The danger is not that the federal government will do too much but, rather, that it will do too little."
"While fixing the credit markets is necessary for sustained economic growth, it will not bring the economy back to full employment," explained Martin Feldstein, a professor of economics at Harvard University and the chief economic advisor to former President Ronald Reagan. "Because monetary policy is not effective, reviving the economy requires a major fiscal stimulus from tax cuts and increased government spending."
The panelists agreed that both immediate and long-term strategies are needed to jump-start the economy and spur long-term growth.
"We need to secure our overall competitiveness, otherwise we could create new jobs now only to lose them to foreign competition later," said Norman R. Augustine, the chair of National Academies' Rising Above the Gathering Storm report committee.
"What are most needed are elements that create real, sustained growth in the economy. We need to bolster existing high-growth innovation areas, and we will need to create new areas," said Maria T. Zuber, a professor of geophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "One path ahead is clear: the country is at the cusp of a revolution in energy science and technology."
Overall, the panel's recommendations included:
-- Providing aid to states and local governments to maintain jobs and
vital aid programs;
-- Expanding unemployment insurance and extending jobless benefits;
-- Investing in existing, shovel-ready infrastructure projects, including
highways, roads, bridges, schools, levees, water and sewage systems,
and the electricity grid to get Americans back to work quickly and
effectively;
-- Investing in science, technology and other emerging industries to
support research and drive innovation and sustainable growth;
-- Creating a green economy by investing in energy-independence and
building a "green" jobs corps;
-- Providing tax cuts for lower- and middle-income families to increase
purchasing power;
-- Improving job training programs and support for unemployed and lower-
workers; and
-- Ensuring that economic recovery package is transparent and accountable
to the American public.
The forum built on committee hearings held during the 110th Congress to examine the need for an economic stimulus plan. The chairs of those committees, including the chairmen of the Science and Technology, Budget, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Education and Labor, Appropriations and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, all participated in today's forum.
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The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, along with House committee chairs, convened the forum in the first days of the 111th Congress to brief lawmakers on the latest economic outlook and components that should be included in the upcoming economic recovery package.
"We must pass an economic recovery and jobs package no later than mid-February, in my view," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). "This forum will demonstrate to the American public the need for this job and economic recovery package. We look forward working in the days ahead with our President-elect so we have legislation before we observe President's Day this year."
"Economists across the board agree that innovative strategies to create jobs and invest in our future are the only way to revive and grow our economy - and that workers and families can't afford to wait," said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the co-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee and the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. "If we act swiftly and make wise decisions, we can tackle many challenges at once: rebuilding our economy and the middle class, improving our infrastructure and energy-independence, and regaining the competitive edge that will fuel discovery and opportunity for generations to come."
"We are holding this extraordinary hearing because of extraordinary times; indeed, we are convening as the economy falls deeper into crisis. We are shedding jobs at a staggering rate, retirement accounts are draining, the housing market has collapsed, the financial market is in turmoil, and the credit markets are nearly frozen. A crisis requires more than the band-aid of past efforts, but rather, we must act boldly to get our economy back to sustained job and income growth," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), the co-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. "This forum today brought together a broad spectrum of economists and scientists who agree that we need to move quickly with a significant economic recovery package."
"This economy is shutting down," said Dr. Mark M. Zandi, the chief economist and cofounder of Moody's Economy.com, who predicted that the economy stands to lose 500,000 jobs a month for the foreseeable future. While both spending and tax cuts should be including in a package, spending provides a higher rate of return than tax cuts. Each dollar spent yields a return of $1.50 in economic growth; while each dollar in tax cuts yields $1 return.
"In my view, the goals of the economic recovery plan should be to strengthen traditional safety nets; increase purchasing power, especially among the bottom half; create as many new jobs as quickly as possible; get the long-term unemployed and the poor into many of those jobs," said Robert B. Reich, a Secretary of Labor under the Clinton administration and a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, who estimated that a stimulus of at least $900 billion over two years is needed. "The danger is not that the federal government will do too much but, rather, that it will do too little."
"While fixing the credit markets is necessary for sustained economic growth, it will not bring the economy back to full employment," explained Martin Feldstein, a professor of economics at Harvard University and the chief economic advisor to former President Ronald Reagan. "Because monetary policy is not effective, reviving the economy requires a major fiscal stimulus from tax cuts and increased government spending."
The panelists agreed that both immediate and long-term strategies are needed to jump-start the economy and spur long-term growth.
"We need to secure our overall competitiveness, otherwise we could create new jobs now only to lose them to foreign competition later," said Norman R. Augustine, the chair of National Academies' Rising Above the Gathering Storm report committee.
"What are most needed are elements that create real, sustained growth in the economy. We need to bolster existing high-growth innovation areas, and we will need to create new areas," said Maria T. Zuber, a professor of geophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "One path ahead is clear: the country is at the cusp of a revolution in energy science and technology."
Overall, the panel's recommendations included:
-- Providing aid to states and local governments to maintain jobs and
vital aid programs;
-- Expanding unemployment insurance and extending jobless benefits;
-- Investing in existing, shovel-ready infrastructure projects, including
highways, roads, bridges, schools, levees, water and sewage systems,
and the electricity grid to get Americans back to work quickly and
effectively;
-- Investing in science, technology and other emerging industries to
support research and drive innovation and sustainable growth;
-- Creating a green economy by investing in energy-independence and
building a "green" jobs corps;
-- Providing tax cuts for lower- and middle-income families to increase
purchasing power;
-- Improving job training programs and support for unemployed and lower-
workers; and
-- Ensuring that economic recovery package is transparent and accountable
to the American public.
The forum built on committee hearings held during the 110th Congress to examine the need for an economic stimulus plan. The chairs of those committees, including the chairmen of the Science and Technology, Budget, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Education and Labor, Appropriations and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, all participated in today's forum.
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