This week in the "Frankly Speaking" column Congressman Frank Guinta makes a big point that politicians in Washington need to work together to solve issues. For once I agree with Congressman Guinta. We need our legislators in Washington to put aside party politics and do what is best for America.
The overall theme of the column is "kicking the can down the road". This is part of the general talking points from the GOP side. They keep saying we need to fix our national debt and reduce taxes at the same time. While this is pretty much impossible that is what Congressman Guinta is doing. Last year Guinta voted for the "Budget Control Act of 2011". This was the bill that created the "super committee" to find 1.2 Trillion dollars to cut in the Federal Budget or it would trigger automatic defense spending cuts.
However in Congressman Guinta's column he is now warning us of these "dangerously deep cuts to defense" as if he is shocked that this is happening. Are we simply supposed to forget that it was you, Congressman Guinta, who voted for this bill. However he is right. These cuts would be disastrous to our economy and to our nations workforce. (See also: 'What Would The Mandatory DOD Budget Cuts Mean For Workers?') I agree we should not let this happen.
To make the problem worse, Congressman Guinta (and Congressman Bass) voted to extend the 'Bush Era Tax Cuts'. H.R. 8 which passed the House by 256-171 and would "extend certain tax relief provisions enacted in 2001 and 2003, and to provide for expedited consideration of a bill providing for comprehensive tax reform, and for other purposes". By voting for this Congressman Guinta is showing that he does not really want to help the middle class people in New Hampshire.
The White House issued a statement explaining what the tax cut extensions would do to middle class families:
The Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 8, which would add to the deficit by extending unaffordable and unneeded tax cuts for the highest-income households, while raising taxes by an average of $1,000 on 25 million working families. H.R. 8 would hurt the economy both by increasing the long-term deficit and also by taking money out of the pockets of the families most likely to spend it in the near term. (Bold added for emphasis)
So which is it Congressman, do you want to reduce the Deficit or cut taxes, because you cannot do both. However you were to answer it does not really matter. You can
say anything you want in the newspaper, it is your
actions that really matter, right?
Congressman Guinta makes a plea to all legislators:
"Instead of waiting until November, Congress needs to act now. Liberals, conservatives and independents alike agree these matters all carry profound consequences for our economy."
Strong words. The irony is that this Op/Ed was published on 8/3/12 while Congressman Guinta
voted to for a recess on 8/2/12. So once again I am left asking which is it Congressman are you going to stand up and fix the issues in Washington or leave because you cannot do both.
Naomi Andrews, Campaign Manager for Candidate Carol Shea-Porter, released the following statement:
“Congressman Frank Guinta is constantly getting caught saying one thing and doing another, but reaching out to voters and press with a tough ‘Congress shouldn't go home’ op-ed on the same day that he votes to go home is so brazen that it is insulting to the voters and to the media he sent his op-ed to in New Hampshire. Seventy-eight of his Republican colleagues, and all of the Democrats, voted to stay and work on America’s problems. Carol Shea-Porter is running to return integrity and a real New Hampshire work ethic to the NH-01 seat.”
So this election you have a choice. Do you want to vote for the Guinta who says one thing and does another? Do you want to continue the same go nowhere politics in Washington that has pushed our economy into a rut for three years? Do we want to continue providing tax cuts to the filthy rich by extending the 'Bush Era Tax Cuts'?
OR
Do you want someone who has a history of standing up for the middle class? Someone who believes that we all should be paying our 'fair share' when it comes to taxes. Will you vote for someone who has a true history of working with other legislators in Washington?
The choice is yours?
"The time for Kick the Can is over. The time for action is here." Congressman Guinta 8/3/12
Posted on the NH Labor News