Congressional Republicans unveiled a plan on Monday that they said would hurt the nation’s economy, benefit the wealthy at the expense of the middle class and add billions to the national debt.
The move is a continuation of Republican policies during the Bush administration and part of a plan they hope will lead to rising voter dissatisfaction and Republican gains at the ballot box.
“Remember how we racked up huge deficits during the Bush years, gave billions to the wealthy and let the middle class fall behind? Well, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet,” House Minority Leader John Boehner (R- Ohio) said. “We’re going to drive those unemployment and deficit numbers up so high that the American people will be voting Republican until they realize we screwed them over once again.”
Many of their efforts so far have been successful. Republicans blocked $30 billion in aid to small businesses, a $33 billion jobs bill and delayed a $34 billion extension in unemployment benefits. Their most recent attack was to oppose a $26 billion state aid plan that would keep an estimated 300,000 teachers, police and firemen from being laid off.
Republicans balked at keeping these public servants employed and were especially annoyed that the plan wouldn’t add to the national debt. Rep. Mike Pence, (R-Ind.) noted the plan is paid for through spending cuts elsewhere and by eliminating tax breaks for U.S. based companies that shift American jobs overseas.
Pence said helping the economy and sticking it to companies that screw over American workers was too responsible for Republicans to accept. Pence noted that he and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) strongly opposed the stimulus, yet still took credit for job fairs in their districts with companies receiving stimulus funds.
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http://www.thechicagodope.com/2010/08/16/republicans-introduce-%e2%80%9ckill-the-economy-plan%e2%80%9d/