Crossposted from Hillbilly Report.
Overshadowed by the antics of the Kentucky Senate race is the fact that we have some fine men running for the Congress this year in the Bluegrass State. Ed Marksberry, John Waltz, and Jim Holbert are all great Democrats and deserve our support. John Waltz conducted a tour across his district and found out one thing. Folks are pretty scared about their retirement security with the talk of benefits being cut and retirement ages being raised. While Waltz believes budget cuts are inevitable, he has the right mindset to do it rationally.
In an email for his campaign today, Waltz detailed how extremist Republicans view "fiscal responsibility". They hope to pay for all the tax cuts and the crashing of our economy by them on the backs of working people, seniors, and soldiers:
The problem is that their obsession with downsizing benefits is a central part of their budget plan. This so-called "Roadmap," authored by Rep. Paul Ryan, among other things, seeks to privatize Social Security. They are trying to bring back to life many of the Bush ideas the American people successfully put down years ago. Our lives will have serious consequences if these extremists are able to force through their budget plan.
Our country is facing tough times. Between the Bush tax cuts and the economic turn-around efforts, the budget is in serious trouble and needs reform. The question for the next Congress is whether we will make the right cuts, (get rid of real waste), or stick the bill on seniors, working families, and soldiers.
Yes, soldiers. Waltz goes on to detail how Republicans really "respect our troops", they try every time they think nobody is looking to downsize their benefits. He then gives the best suggestion yet on how to cut defense spending:
However, just yesterday, I read that panels were looking to downsize military benefits. A recent article quoted a four-star general saying that "the [Department of Defense] is turning into a benefits company that will occasionally kill a terrorist." The article reports a "consensus" based on discussions with former Generals and defense-industry executives. (Not surprisingly, they failed to ask regular enlisted soldiers).
Here's an idea for cutting defense spending- How about ending our nine-year war? The wars are the reason our defense spending is out of control. How about looking to cut obvious waste instead of just going straight for the programs people depend on?
Waltz goes on to detail some of his ideas for building a future economically, while operating in a truly fiscally responsible way:
Our country is changing. People are living longer, and the post-war economic boom is over. We need to adapt, but we don't need to lose the helpful programs that have maintained security and dignity for our fellow citizens. Passing green energy will free our economy from price spikes, investing in education will grow our long-term economic potential, and repairing our infrastructure and building high-speed rail will establish a foundation for our future economic base. We will need to make these investments while cutting back on spending.
Ah, investing in our own country. Something Republicans would rather die than do. They do not want to create jobs here because Americans are not slaves. They do not want to pay taxes here, even though the American system allowed them to make the great wealth they enjoy. Their extremist Corporate agenda they are running on this time is flat-out dangerous to the America many hold dear, and despite what they tell you runs against what our forefathers envisioned and the principles this country was founded on.
What we really need are some upsets this year and some leaders like John Waltz in the House. He is running a solid campaign and help from all of us could put him over the top in an anti-incumbent year. Go check out his site:
http://www.johnwaltz.com/
Better yet, pay the good folks at ActBlue a visit and make an investment in a real Democrat:
http://www.actblue.com/...
Best wishes everyone!!