Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear. - Nelson Mandela
Is it time to rescue the People's House and the Senate, from those who consistently vote to allow our children to suffer?
Now, a new report, State Budget Cuts: America's Kids Pay the Price, details the impact that federal- and state-level cuts are having on kids, and it is brutal. As expansions of health care for kids through SCHIP and a range of education, nutrition, and safety programs passed in 2009 expire, not only is Congress not renewing the funding, but Republicans are pushing further cuts to programs like WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children). With state budgets already in trouble because of the weak economy and Congress refusing needed federal support, children are losing out in just about every state.
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Is it time to join hands and circle Congress, our Congress, and say clearly, strongly, peaceably, that refusing to spend OUR tax dollars on creating jobs for OUR people is not tolerable?
Today marks the 294th day of Republican control of the House of Representatives. In 294 days, they have not passed a single bill to create jobs. Instead, House Republicans have repeatedly voted to end Medicare (while providing tax breaks to Big Oil and companies that ship jobs overseas), passed legislation that destroys nearly 2 million jobs (that’s 10,000 jobs lost every day), and pointlessly manufactured crisis after crisis–creating economic uncertainty and hurting small businesses and the middle class. In addition, House Republicans have voted 17 times against Democratic proposals or efforts to consider proposals – several of which are bipartisan – to create or protect American jobs.
BY THE NUMBERS: HOUSE REPUBLICANS
294: Days Republicans in charge
2 Million: Jobs potentially destroyed under GOP bills
0: GOP jobs bills
17: Times GOP have voted against Democratic jobs legislation, including China currency legislation that would help create 1 million American jobs
3: Times GOP have voted to end Medicare and protect tax breaks for Big Oil, millionaires and corporations shipping jobs overseas
4: Times GOP have brought our nation to the brink, creating economic uncertainty
http://www.democraticleader.gov/...
Is it time to stand tall and proud, thousands of people strong, and say clearly, strongly, peaceably, that cutting programs for our Veterans, our Seniors, our Unemployed, our Disabled, our Children, while refusing to get rid of Tax Shelters, Loopholes, and Cuts for the Mega Wealthy is immoral?
Tragically, the more entrenched the jobs shortage becomes, the more paralyzed Congress becomes, with Republicans committed to doing nothing in the hopes that the faltering economy will cost President Obama his job in 2012. Last week, for instance, Senate Republicans filibustered a $60 billion proposal by Mr. Obama to create jobs by repairing and upgrading the nation’s deteriorating infrastructure. They were outraged that the bill would have been paid for by a 0.7 percent surtax on people making more than $1 million.
Things may be about to get worse.
Federal unemployment benefits, which generally kick in after 26 weeks of state-provided benefits, are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. That would be a disaster for many of the estimated 3.5 million Americans who get by on extended benefits — an average of $295 a week. It would also be a blow to the economy, because it would reduce consumer spending by about $50 billion in 2012 — which would mean slower economic growth and 275,000 lost jobs. Unfortunately, given Republicans’ demonstrated willingness to ignore human needs and economic logic, it is more likely than not that jobless benefits will be a major battle in the months ahead.
http://www.nytimes.com/...
Is it time to to sing out loud and strong that OUR tax dollars need to be spent on OUR roads, OUR bridges, OUR dams, OUR power grid, OUR water plants, OUR schools, not to bail out one more ineptly run, too big to fail institution?
That's right, just six years ago, Congress passed a massive infrastructure bill with near unanimous support: 412-8 in the House, 91-4 in the Senate.
So committed to cause of infrastructure was that Republican-controlled Congress in 2005, that they weren't concerned that some of the 6,361 earmarked projects may not have constituted the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
But today? At a time when the need for jobs is painfully greater than six years ago?
A Democratic president proposes an infrastructure bill to create jobs. And every Senate Republican filibusters it.
A Democratic president proposal an infrastructure bill that does not increase the deficit. And every Senate Republican filibusters it.
A Democratic president proposes an infrastructure bill with no earmarks at all. And every Senate Republican filibusters it.
A Democratic president incorporates a bipartisan proposal for an independent infrastructure bank precisely so decisions about funding projects can be made based on the merits instead of on crude earmark politics. And every Senate Republican filibusters it.
(emphasis added)
http://www.ourfuture.org/...
Is it time to to march down K Street, to join and link together around our Congress, our People's House, and say loud and strong that the People of the United States of America - our dreams, our well being, our hard work and caring, are too big to fail?
Is it time to remind those who so easily dismiss and ignore us while doing the bidding of the wealthy few, that we are this Nation? Is it time to remind them that OUR government belongs to US, not the Koch Brothers and Wall Street?
Is it time?