Here are the Key points of the Progressive Budget Plan, put together by the House Progressive Caucus. It seems like an excellent "starting place" to me ... of course, I believe in standing up for the Democratic Platform, especially those planks about Economic Fairness, and providing for the General Welfare, helping 'the least among us', and all that ...
The House Progressive Budget
By Ezra Klein, Washingtonpost -- 4/25/2011
[...] the budget proposal released by the House Progressive Caucus: Uses taxes. Mostly on the rich. [...]
The legislation would let most of the Bush Tax Cuts expire [...] and
add a few New Brackets for Millionaires and multimillionaires, [...]
a stronger and more progressive Estate Tax.
Capital Gains and dividend income would be taxed as normal income,
Corporate Taxes would be raised, and
a Financial Transaction Tax would be passed.
The Payroll Cap would be raised on the employee side and abolished on the employer side, taking care of most of Social Security’s shortfall, and
the Defense Department would see $1.8 Trillion in cuts over 10 years.
There’d be a Public Option added to the health-care system and
Medicare would get more power to negotiate Drug Prices.
Perhaps we should be prepare to cite the points of Progressive Budget Plan, prepared to fight for them -- even if we probably won't get many of them, after the Austerity Squawkers get their say.
Because ...
Because ... we need to be prepared to counteract stuff like this ...
Because ... Centrist Dem Kent Conrad is daring to speak for all Dems,
Because ... Conrad is about ready to "give away the store" again:
Kent Conrad's Budget Angers Democratic Colleagues
Ryan Grim, Michael McAuliff, Huffingtonpost -- 05/03/11
Senate Democrats are furious at their lead budget negotiator for crafting a blueprint that they think moves the party too far to the right, a senior Democratic aide said.
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) has been bargaining for months in secret with Republicans in the so-called Gang of Six to craft a budget that might win bipartisan acceptance. On Tuesday, Conrad abruptly dropped the veil and rolled out his own offering for party colleagues -- to brutal reviews.
[...]
In bringing it forward himself, Conrad sets the starting point for the Democratic position in a more conservative spot than President Barack Obama's budget -- and that was already a compromise. Obama's plan includes a spending freeze for federal workers, among many other concessions to the GOP.
"He's setting this out like it's the official Democratic position," a Democratic staffer said. "I don't know if this can pass his own committee without major changes."
[...]
Jeesh! Who taught these ConservaDems how to Negotiate?
First Rule: DON'T START FROM A POSITION OF WEAKNESS.
Second Rule: MAKE YOUR STARTING PRICE MUCH, MUCH HIGHER, than you would eventually settle for
-- THAT WAY, you just might eventually get WHAT you are really willing to settle for.
Jeesh! Watch an episode of "Pawn Shop" or "American Pickers" already! Learn how it's done.
Learn how to "Negotiate" with those deceitful Austerity Hawks, and STOP giving away the Store before you even start the bargaining! Trust me, They are NOT above making "Non-Factual Statements" to get their way ... just ask Jon Kyle.
Thank you, Dems -- start out from a Position of Strength -- NOT weakness. WE Got the People, and the Facts on our side:
Tax Cuts to the Rich DO NOT Create Jobs! Enough of that GOP Fairy Tale.
Come-on Dems, buy a Clue, Already! Take a Stand for what's right.