The process for implementing spending cuts that started Friday is called a sequester. It was authorized by a 2011 budget deal that Sanders voted against. Interviewed Thursday night on Vermont Public Television, the senator worried that the cuts will “contract the economy in the midst of a terrible recession” and may eliminate 700,000 jobs nationwide.
Perhaps worse, Sanders said, is that Republicans in Congress refuse to ask the wealthy and profitable corporations to pay their fair share. In poll after poll, large majorities of Americans agree that the way to lower deficits is to stop letting the wealthiest Americans and profitable corporations use offshore tax shelters and other loopholes to evade taxes.
Louis D. Brandeis, the American jurist, famously warned: “We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both.”
"But their (Republican) position is a twist of the truth that is coming dangerously close to becoming accepted wisdom by sheer volume of repetition. It must be battled back every time it is uttered."
You're right Anon, it's imperative for the intelligent people in this country to always point out the lies and fraud. That's why I believe investigative reporters should be held in the highest esteem.
White-collar criminals are experts at convincing their victims that the crimes perpetrated against them are somehow their own fault, that they themselves are the bad guys, and that they deserve whatever happens to them for falling victim. Unfortunately, there will always be a certain percentage of the population stupid enough to believe the bullshit they're handed.
"First it was $85 billion in across-the-board budget cuts. Now, in the name of deficit reduction, some of the fringe, far-right Republicans who run the House may abandon their own campaign pledge and cut Medicare benefits for people 55 and older."
The GOP for sure, and perhaps all politicians regardless of party affiliation working on behalf of the large corporations, have only one ultimate goal - to serve the interests of the people who funded their election into office.
If there was truly a serious interest in reducing deficit spending and balancing the budget, the focus wouldn't be on taking more money away from the individual average American, in what the Republicans refer to as "social entitlements". It would be on "corporate entitlements" and corporate welfare, in which the Government spends twice as much. Something, except for Senator Bernie Sanders, that no one from either party wants to address.
It's true when the President said Republican lawmakers are "bad people with bad policies". So, if you believe ANYTHING that comes out of a GOP Senators' or pundits' mouth, don't come crying later after you're life has been so marginalized that you or your children are living in a van down by the river.
"Fiscal fearmongering is a major industry inside the Beltway, especially among those looking for excuses to do what they really want, namely dismantle Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security."
Via a Senator Bernie Sanders interview -
ReplyDeleteThe process for implementing spending cuts that started Friday is called a sequester. It was authorized by a 2011 budget deal that Sanders voted against. Interviewed Thursday night on Vermont Public Television, the senator worried that the cuts will “contract the economy in the midst of a terrible recession” and may eliminate 700,000 jobs nationwide.
Perhaps worse, Sanders said, is that Republicans in Congress refuse to ask the wealthy and profitable corporations to pay their fair share. In poll after poll, large majorities of Americans agree that the way to lower deficits is to stop letting the wealthiest Americans and profitable corporations use offshore tax shelters and other loopholes to evade taxes.
Source: MSNBC: Sanders on Sequestration
Louis D. Brandeis, the American jurist, famously warned: “We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both.”
ReplyDeleteSource: Chrystia Freeland - The political clout of the superrich
7 Healthcare Leaders Share Thoughts on Sequestration
ReplyDelete"But their (Republican) position is a twist of the truth that is coming dangerously close to becoming accepted wisdom by sheer volume of repetition. It must be battled back every time it is uttered."
ReplyDeleteSource: Charles M. Blow: Poison Pill Politics
You're right Anon, it's imperative for the intelligent people in this country to always point out the lies and fraud. That's why I believe investigative reporters should be held in the highest esteem.
ReplyDeleteWhite-collar criminals are experts at convincing their victims that the crimes perpetrated against them are somehow their own fault, that they themselves are the bad guys, and that they deserve whatever happens to them for falling victim. Unfortunately, there will always be a certain percentage of the population stupid enough to believe the bullshit they're handed.
Via Senator Bernie Sanders,
ReplyDelete"First it was $85 billion in across-the-board budget cuts. Now, in the name of deficit reduction, some of the fringe, far-right Republicans who run the House may abandon their own campaign pledge and cut Medicare benefits for people 55 and older."
I wonder about you man.
ReplyDeleteThe GOP for sure, and perhaps all politicians regardless of party affiliation working on behalf of the large corporations, have only one ultimate goal - to serve the interests of the people who funded their election into office.
ReplyDeleteIf there was truly a serious interest in reducing deficit spending and balancing the budget, the focus wouldn't be on taking more money away from the individual average American, in what the Republicans refer to as "social entitlements". It would be on "corporate entitlements" and corporate welfare, in which the Government spends twice as much. Something, except for Senator Bernie Sanders, that no one from either party wants to address.
It's true when the President said Republican lawmakers are "bad people with bad policies". So, if you believe ANYTHING that comes out of a GOP Senators' or pundits' mouth, don't come crying later after you're life has been so marginalized that you or your children are living in a van down by the river.
"Fiscal fearmongering is a major industry inside the Beltway, especially among those looking for excuses to do what they really want, namely dismantle Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security."
ReplyDeleteSource: Paul Krugman: Dwindling Deficit Disorder