Sanders vows to fight planned budget cuts by GOP

[Armstead]

(This is a press release from his website, so am including in full.)

http://bernie.house.gov/documents/releases/20050922174805.asp

For Immediate Release, 9/22/2005
Sanders to Fight Republican Attempts to Cut Critical Health Care, Education, and Community Programs


Washington D.C.—Rep. Bernard Sanders (I-VT) today announced his opposition to a recently released budget plan put forward by the Republican Leadership. The plan proposes drastic cuts to critical health, education, and economic development programs in order to pay for the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast. Instead of putting the burden of the recovery on the backs of lower and middle-income Americans through slashed programs and regressive fees, Sanders believes the Republican leadership should eliminate giveaways that pad the profits of large corporations such as the pharmaceutical industry.
Sanders said, “I agree with the President that we’re going to have to spend billions to rebuild New Orleans, but I do not agree that that money should come from savage cuts in health care, education or economic development. Instead, we should stand up to powerful special interests and eliminate hundreds of billions in corporate welfare.”

The Republican-proposed budget cuts would target a number of critical programs in Vermont. Programs targeted for cuts include:

• Drastic Cuts to Medicare funding including a one-year delay of the Medicare Prescription Drug Program.

• Cuts in 2006 and beyond in funding for the Community Health Center program which could create critical shortfalls for the Wells River and Rutland community health care centers and proposed centers in Plainfield and Morrisville.

• Drastic cuts in affordable housing programs benefiting Vermont, including the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation and cuts endangering Burlington’s ability to participate in the Community Development Block Grants, which enable economic development.

• Significant cuts to education funding, including the elimination of the school lunch program for many students and the elimination of funding to ensure safe and drug-free schools.

• Elimination of the small state minimum for First-Responder Grants, which would drastically reduce Vermont’s emergency preparedness.

• Elimination of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which would cripple Vermont Public Television and Vermont Public Radio.

Sanders concluded; “Instead of postponing or eliminating the Medicare prescription drug program as some Republicans have suggested, we could save hundreds of billions in taxpayer dollars by allowing the government to negotiate with the drug companies for lower prices. This would result not only in huge taxpayer savings, but in lower prescription drug costs for all Americans and a much better and more affordable Medicare prescription drug bill for seniors.

[Armstead]

1. kick

[Toots]

2. I sure do like Bernie Sanders

A man of real principle and surprise surprise he is not a Democrat. I won't hold my breath waiting to hear from any Democrats...