Katrina vanden Heuvel: Stop the Madness - Soulless Bush Budgets (The Nation)

[marmar]

BLOG | Posted 03/13/2007 @ 4:32pm
Stop the Madness


The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) --nearly one-third of the Democratic Caucus with 71 members--has challenged a Bush budget that would continue to drain our treasury through increased spending on the Iraq disaster while making tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans permanent.

"Based on the budget that President Bush has sent to Congress it seems that the only priorities he values are cutting taxes on the wealthiest among us, and escalating his disastrous Iraq policy," said CPC co-Chair, Representative Lynn Woolsey ☼.

In a statement issued on behalf of caucus members today, CPC co-chairs – Representatives Barbara Lee and Woolsey – noted that the Bush budget request of $392 billion for domestic, non-military discretionary spending in FY08 doesn't even keep pace with inflation. Meanwhile, the military budget would balloon to $481 billion – an 11 percent increase – not including the $200 billion in requested spending in Iraq over the next 2 years.

The CPC proposes a fairer, saner, and more humane budget that would provide at least $450 billion in domestic, non-military discretionary spending – a figure representing the funding level in FY05 and also adjusted for inflation. Repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans alone – as the CPC favors – would raise at least $348 billion in revenues. (Deborah Weinstein, director of the Coalition on Human Needs, points out in a recent post that "the difference between $450 billion and the president's proposal is nearly made up by the 2008 cost of the Bush tax cuts for millionaires alone--$55 billion.") Additionally, a CPC budget would reduce the Bush defense budget request by $68.7 billion to $412.7 billion in FY08. (And also save at least $187 billion in the next two years by bringing our troops home in 2007.) .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut?bid=7&pid=174904

[bobbolink]

1. Thanks for posting this! Please, take action, and spread the word on the budget!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x394904

Thanks... I really appreciate your post! :thumbsup: :toast:

Now, call. :hi:

[marmar]

5. No problem....and thanks for the link!

:hi:

[illinoisprogressive]

2. I get the Nation. worth the price for the magazine. Katrina is wonderful

[Cobalt Violet]

3. K & R

:patriot::kick:

[Digit]

4. Fercryingoutloud! K&R

[The Doctor.]

6. The really scary thing here

is that if you ask 50% of Republicans, they'll tell you they're in the top 1%.

There really are people that think making over $60,000/ year puts them there.

That's why the Democrats' talking point doesn't work; Most of them are not aware they aren't in that class... and by just what order of dimunition.